The event gave pupils exclusive access to Leicester City's training ground facilities, where they explored the vital role grounds teams play in maintaining playing surfaces, supporting athlete performance, and ensuring professional sporting environments operate at the highest level.

Designed as a careers and industry insight day, the event showcased the breadth of opportunities available beyond the players and coaches seen on matchdays. Students participated in a guided tour of the training ground and Sports Turf Academy facilities before taking part in a series of practical workshops covering pitch preparation, turf science, equipment maintenance and grounds operations.

The day also highlighted the many routes into the profession, including apprenticeships, further education, volunteering, and work experience opportunities, helping young people better understand how they can build a career within the sports turf industry.

Flynn Good, First Assistant Pitch Manager Leicester City FC, and Chair of the GMA NextGen Board, said: "Schools into Stadia is about showing young people that there's a whole world of opportunities behind the scenes of sport. Grounds management is a rewarding, skilled and innovative profession that plays a critical role in every sporting experience, yet many young people are unaware it exists as a career option.

"By bringing students into environments like Leicester City FC's training ground, we're helping them see what's possible, meet the people working in the industry and understand the many pathways available to them. It's inspiring to see the enthusiasm and curiosity these events generate, and we're proud to be helping shape the future workforce of our industry."

Jennifer Carter, Executive Sponsor of the GMA NextGen Board, added: "The future of our industry depends on inspiring and supporting the next generation of talent. Schools into Stadia gives young people the opportunity to see first-hand the breadth of careers available within grounds management and sports turf, while connecting them with the people and organisations helping to shape the profession.

"By opening the doors to elite sporting environments such as Leicester City FC's training ground, we're able to showcase the skills, innovation and passion that underpin every great playing surface. It's fantastic to see students engaging so enthusiastically with the opportunities available and considering careers they may never have previously encountered."

The event concluded with a pitch and putt competition, giving students another opportunity to engage with industry professionals while experiencing the collaborative and practical nature of careers within the sector.

Paige Watson- Quilter, Premier League Inspires Coordinator from Leicester City in the Community said: "The day gave our participants a valuable insight into the world of grounds management, offering hands-on learning opportunities and the chance to explore the skills, knowledge and career paths within the industry. The experience has inspired them to consider grounds management as a future career and opened their eyes to the exciting opportunities available across the sports industry.”

Schools into Stadia forms part of the GMA NextGen programme, which aims to inspire, educate and connect the next generation of grounds professionals by providing direct access to employers, industry experts and real-world sporting environments. By opening doors to elite venues such as Leicester City FC's training ground, the initiative is helping to build awareness of the diverse and rewarding careers available across sports turf and grounds management.