Women are starting to be recognised
History was made earlier this year as an all-female grounds team prepared the turf at the Barclays Women's Super League (WSL) match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Pitchcare spoke to Liddy Ford in this Q&A about the current recruitment of women in the industry. Liddy feels that these types of events can improve opportunities for females wanting to get into turfcare.
How did it feel to work with other female turfcare professionals?
I was looking forward to the experience. Not only meeting different women in the industry, but also working with a team of women. That is very different to my environment at St George's Park. It was a nice change to work with people from different sectors.
How have you found it being a woman in a typically male-dominated industry?
There were a few teething problems at first, but that's normal for everyone when you are getting used to a new environment; all whilst other people are getting used to you too; it’s a learning curve. We have a few female staff members here at St Geoge's Park now, so we are going in the right direction.
There are also other diversity issues in the grounds industry as well. This event was good for highlighting that women are welcome in the industry and that we are already present!
Liddy with Meg Lay - Groundsperson at Lord’s, Marylebone Cricket Club
and GMA NextGen Ambassador.
How much planning went into the match and who organised it?
It took a lot of planning. The main people that led it were the WSL, the Grounds Management Association and the Women in Football. Paul Ashcroft from Arsenal helped a lot in terms of preparing us for what we had to do. Similarly, Hannah Buckley and Gemma White from the FA were doing a lot behind the scenes.
Do you think events like this will open up more opportunities for women in turf?
I think the buzz around the event in mainstream media certainly opened up the conversation. I hope the match and all the coverage highlighted to women viewers that this could be an industry for them. It has been important to help identify that the grounds industry is a career pathway. You can work your way up the ladder. The match was a milestone for women in the grounds industry and, over the months that followed, it had a huge positive impact.
Why should women consider turfcare as a career opportunity?
I would encourage anyone to consider turfcare as I feel it has many benefits, opportunities and positives for physical and mental health. There's no doubt that the industry has a shortage of staff; especially young staff and women make up only 2% of the grounds industry.
Getting more women involved will help to make pitch maintenance easier because we will have more people to help do the job. It could start to improve the way we maintain pitches and therefore increase the number of matches that can be put on as well as increase player safety.
Did you feel any pressure ahead of the match?
It was a great opportunity for the 13 women who were chosen. I had some understandable nerves and butterflies, however, it was overtaken with excitement. It was good going to a stadium and seeing the industry from that perspective, it's very different to a training ground.
When did you realise that turfcare was something you wanted to do as a career?
I've always had a background in agriculture, so I have always been outside. I went to university and did my sports science degree which I was passionate about and enjoyed that side of things. I merged agriculture and sport and ended up here. I visited St George's Park whilst I was at university and it was an experience I loved.
What was the application process like for your current role?
I just applied for the job. I can't remember exactly what site I found the advert on. I got through the first stage and then the interview process followed. I had a good conversation with Andy Gray, Head of Grounds here at St George's Park, and I would like to think I made a good impression.
What advice would you give to young people who are considering turfcare?
It is like with anything in life.... just give it a try and see if you like it! It's not going to be for everyone, but I think career pathways like this aren't being highlighted to young people - especially girls/women. It is about being open to different things and believing in yourself. You are welcome within the industry.
Comment from the GMA CEO, Geoff Webb:
"The achievement by the thirteen trailblazing female grounds staff was an important moment for the GMA, but also the wider grounds management industry.
"It’s vital that we open up our profession beyond its traditional confines so that we attract young, motivated people, particularly from wider backgrounds into the sector. This is a key aim of the GMA and we’re working hard to make this breakthrough moment less of a rarity."