Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur: A Celebration of Women in the Grounds Industry

Written by Director of Communications |Grounds Management  Association, Jen Carter

The north London derby in the Women’s Super League (WSL), played in March was not just a display of top-tier women’s football, but also a celebration of women in the grounds management industry. For the first time in football, an all-female grounds team, supported by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), prepared the Emirates Stadium pitch, marking a significant milestone for the grounds management sector.

The initiative, a collaboration between the WSL, Women in Football, Arsenal FC, and the GMA, saw thirteen pioneering female grounds professionals from across the industry lead the charge in pitch preparation showcasing women at the forefront of the sector. This was a deliberate effort to encourage more women to consider careers in grounds management, an industry where women represent only 2% of the workforce. The GMA’s involvement underscores our commitment to diversifying the sector and promoting inclusivity.

The match itself was a testament to the quality of the WSL and the growing popularity of women’s football. A sold-out crowd witnessed a 1-0 victory for Arsenal, with the all-female grounds team’s efforts contributing to a seamless game experience. Ahead of International Women’s Day, a sold-out crowd of over 60,000 fans flooded into the Emirates Stadium to watch the game, making it the highest attendance of a women’s domestic football match in the UK. It was also the most-attended sports fixture in London that weekend, including Premier League games, putting the grounds management industry firmly in the spotlight, highlighting the vital role of grounds staff in making sport possible.

Not only was history made off the pitch but also on the pitch, by the grounds team who prepared it. Thirteen trailblazing women from various grounds management settings, from cricket and football to educational facilities, worked hard over the days leading up to the match to prepare the pitch.

The all-female grounds team’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed and received praise from across the sporting world, with support shared by Lionesses legends, Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo and Beth Mead amongst many others, as well as widespread media coverage.

For me, it was incredible to see a team of thirteen experienced and talented women prepare the iconic Emirate pitch in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators and viewers across the UK. The lack of visibility of women in this field remains a significant barrier, but we’re confident that moments like these, will be pivotal in convincing more young people, especially females, to explore this promising career path. 

The team of women who took part are incredible ambassadors for the industry, and I have no doubt that their work will have inspired many and shed light on the grounds management profession.

This initiative demonstrates progress in terms of improving inclusivity - shining a light on the possibilities that exist for women in the grounds management industry and more broadly across sport. With the continued support of organisations like the GMA, WSL, and Women in Football, the future of women in the grounds management industry looks brighter than ever.

The GMA is looking forward to delivering similar activity in the near future.