When the Red Roses lifted the trophy at the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, they did so on a pitch entirely prepared by an all-female team - a first in the history of the sport.

Brought together by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), this team of fifteen women had complete ownership of pitch preparation, taking full responsibility for delivering the playing surface, making key decisions, and setting a new standard for what a collaborative, inclusive approach to grounds management can achieve.

These trailblazing women oversaw every detail as the Allianz Stadium team stepped back, empowering them to make independent decisions and showcase their expertise. The result was a world-class pitch that allowed players to perform at their absolute best, contributing to the high quality of play and the Red Roses’ incredible victory.

“This project gave us the freedom to try things, make decisions, and trust our instincts," said Liddy Ford, a member of the group's leadership team.

"It was empowering to know that every choice we made, from how we prepared the surface to how we presented it on matchday, had a direct impact on the game. Seeing the players lift the trophy on a pitch we delivered was an amazing moment.”

Jennifer Carter, GMA’s Director of Communications and Marketing, reflected on the significance of this milestone for the organisation and the sector.

"This was a landmark moment not just for rugby, but for the entire grounds management industry. An all-female grounds team at a game of this magnitude, the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup Final ever, shows how far we’ve come," Jennifer commented.

“As well laying the foundations for the players on the pitch, this event was also about continuing to lay the foundations off it. Encouraging more women and girls to consider grounds management as a career is vital. You have to see it to be it - and we hope we’ve inspired the next generation to get involved.

The women on the team for the final have raised the bar for what’s possible. It sends a bold signal about where we’re heading.”

As the tournament concluded, the team left with a shared commitment to work together to raise the profile of women in grounds management, to encourage more women to join this sector, and to ensure opportunities like this continue to grow.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup has provided momentum, and the GMA is proud to have supported this groundbreaking project. We remain dedicated to championing diversity, inclusion, and opportunity across every corner of the industry - proving that when women are empowered to lead, everyone benefits. 

If you’re interested in a career in grounds management or want to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.