Dean Gibbons, representing Wantage Bowling Club, achieved the prestigious title of Bowls and Croquet Grounds Person of the Year at the Grounds Management Association Industry Awards 2025.
The esteemed awards, hosted on March 13 at Anfield, the iconic home of Liverpool Football Club, honor those who uphold excellence in grounds management, celebrating individuals who ensure that playing surfaces remain in peak condition throughout the year.
Mr. Gibbons, who has been passionate about bowls since the age of 10, merged this interest with an enthusiasm for grounds management in 2012 when he became the greenkeeper at Wantage Bowling Club. He expressed his delight by stating, “It means so much, I was not expecting to win for a third time in a row. I’m really proud of myself; there’s a lot of effort that goes into maintaining the surface, so it’s fantastic to be recognised.”
Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association, stated: “The Grounds Management Association Industry Awards is a celebration of the talented professionals and volunteers in our industry. The dedication and skill of people like Dean make sport possible at all levels. Winning this award is a fantastic achievement, and Dean is a brilliant example of the talent we have in this sector.”
He further emphasized the impact of grounds staff across independent schools and universities, acknowledging their essential contributions to high-level sporting facilities that empower students to hone their skills on top-quality surfaces.
The awards took place alongside the commencement of #GroundsWeek 2025, part of the Grounds Management Association’s yearly campaign that underscores the importance of the industry and seeks to inspire new careers in groundskeeping. With a significant transition anticipated—15 per cent of the current workforce expected to retire within three years—the association is dedicating efforts toward attracting new talent, offering a multitude of training and qualification pathways to cultivate the next generation of skilled grounds professionals.
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