Luke Russell, Head Groundsperson at Oud-Heverlee Leuven F.C. in Belgium, has been awarded his Pioneer Mark (#023) by the Grounds Management Association (GMA) as part of its Pioneer Legacy initiative.
The Pioneer Legacy recognises the valuable contributions of past and present members of GMA NextGen (formerly the GMA Young Board). At the heart of the initiative is the Pioneer Mark - a unique legacy number that highlights each member’s impact on the grounds management industry.
Luke began his career with a work placement at Coventry City F.C. in 2009, progressing into a full-time role where he remained until 2016. He then joined Leicester City F.C. where he first became involved with the GMA Young Board. After 15 months, he moved to Belgium in late 2017 to take up his current role at Oud-Heverlee Leuven F.C.
During his time in Belgium, Luke has played a key role in Oud-Heverlee Leuven’s continued success, with the club’s grounds team winning the Belgian Pro League Grounds Team of the Season award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
On receiving the award, Luke said: “I am really proud to receive a Pioneer Mark from the GMA. At the time I was a member of the Young Board, it was great to be involved in an initiative that allowed me to give something back to the industry.
“I’m pleased to see it’s still going strong, showing that the industry is a viable career choice for young people, and I hope it continues to go from strength to strength in the future.”
Luke joins an esteemed alumni of grounds professionals recognised through the scheme. You can explore the full list of Pioneer Mark holders here.
Meg Lay, Co-Chair of GMA NextGen, said: “We’re really pleased to present Luke with his Pioneer Mark. His journey is a fantastic example of the careers this industry can offer, with Luke now plying his trade in Belgium at the highest level.
“We’d like to thank him for his contributions to GMA NextGen and for helping inspire the next generation of grounds professionals.”
