The recent Women’s Rugby World Cup will be remembered as a landmark moment for the sport, not just for the thrilling final and the team’s unforgettable win, but for the story that unfolded behind the scenes.
For the first time, the Grounds Management Association (GMA) brought together 15 women from across the industry to take complete ownership of pitch preparation throughout the tournament.
From start to finish, this all-female team was entrusted with full responsibility for delivering the playing surface, making decisions and setting the standard for what a collaborative, inclusive approach to grounds management can achieve.
These women oversaw every detail as the Allianz Stadium team deliberately stepped back, empowering the team to make independent decisions and showcase their expertise. Their work resulted in a world-class pitche that allowed players to perform at their absolute best, a contributing to the high quality of play and ultimately, 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.”
Jenifer Carter, Director of Communications and Marketing at the GMA, reflected on the wider impact: "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.
“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 came to a close, the team left with a shared commitment to work together to raise the profile of women in grounds management, to encourage more female professionals to join this sector, and to ensure opportunities like this continue to grow.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup has given us momentum. The GMA is proud to have supported this groundbreaking project and will continue to champion diversity, inclusion and opportunity in every corner of the sector.
