Racecourse Association launches 2024 Racecourse Groundstaff Awards
The Racecourse Association (RCA) is pleased to confirm that the 27th annual Racecourse Groundstaff Awards is now open for submissions.
- 27th annual Racecourse Groundstaff Awards now open for submissions
- Racecourse Groundstaff Awards celebrate the best of racecourse groundstaff in surface preparation, turf husbandry and contribution to British horseracing
- Proudly sponsored by Agrovista, DLF Seeds and Science and Duralock
The Racecourse Groundstaff Awards, the original and only recognised industry awards for racecourse groundstaff, celebrate the best of the profession both on an individual and team level in terms of surface preparation, turf husbandry and overall contribution to British horseracing.
The core Racecourse Groundstaff Awards celebrate the winners and runners-up across the three racecourse types: flat, jump and dual purpose. The winners of each category will go onto the RCA’s Showcase Awards on Thursday 7th November at The Signet Library in Edinburgh, where an overall Groundstaff Champion will be crowned. Previous winners of the Racecourse Groundstaff Awards can be viewed here.
As well as celebrating groundstaff teams, the Racecourse Groundstaff Awards include solo prizes to acknowledge individuals operating at exceptional levels. The Richard Linley Award recognises an individual who has joined the industry in the past two years and has considerably improved their skills, shown determination and has a passion for learning. The award is about celebrating new groundstaff into the industry across Great Britain who have shown huge growth and improvement in their work. The Neil Wyatt Lifetime Achievement Award is a longstanding award for individuals who have given exceptional service over many years to a racecourse or the racing industry, whilst the Special Merit Award allows the judges to recognise outstanding work by any individual or team.
All racecourses are automatically considered for the core awards, however submissions may be made by racecourses should specific points need to be raised to the judges. This process is now open, and will close on Thursday 5th September, in line with the wider RCA Showcase Awards.
Holly Cook, Racecourse Services Manager at the RCA, said: “I am delighted to launch this year’s Racecourse Groundstaff Awards. Since inception, these awards are amongst the most enjoyable element of our work in supporting racecourses as they allow us to highlight and reward exceptional work in the sphere of groundsmanship—a critical part of any successful racecourse.
“The RCA is proud to be the custodian of the sport’s only recognised awards for groundstaff and we look forward to crowning the class of 2024 later in the year.”
Dan Hughes, Head of Commercial, Agrovista Amenity, said: “Agrovista Amenity are delighted to support the recognition of the dedication and skill of racecourse groundstaff throughout Great Britain. The expertise and efforts applied by grounds teams, makes racing happen, sometimes in the most trying conditions and circumstances.
“We are proud to champion awareness of the professionalism and skill of their role to the racing industry and wider audiences, with our continuous sponsorship of the Racecourse Groundstaff Awards.”
Matt Gresty, DLF/MM & Designer Sales and Marketing Manager, said: “DLF are delighted to sponsor the RCA’s Racecourse Groundstaff awards for 2024, the awards help promote and recognise the fantastic work carried by racing groundstaff teams on daily basis producing top quality racing surfaces.
Jonathon McGovern, CEO, Duralock, said: “Duralock are delighted to continue our support of the RCA’s Racecourse Groundstaff awards.
“Across Great Britain, groundstaff work tirelessly to maintain and improve racing surfaces and without them racing would simply not be possible.”