Success for MCC at the GMA Industry Awards 2026

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) celebrated two prestigious award wins at the Grounds Management Association (GMA) Industry Awards 2026 recently, which regonises excellence in ground care

The grounds team at Lord's was recognised as the winner of the Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year whilst the Club's Head Groundsman Karl McDermott was awarded with the Grounds Manager of the Year award.

The awards ceremony, which was held at Edgbaston, brought together many of the UK and Europe's leading practitioners and suppliers to pay tribute to the very best in the professional, amateur and voluntary sector.

Karl, who was appointed to the role at Lord's in 2019, leads a 10-strong team of ground staff, with five full0time and five seasonal employees. Over the winter, the outfield underwent a landmark transformation as the hallowed turf at Lord's was carefully re-surfaced for the first time in 23 years.

GMA, the UK's leading membership body dedicated to supporting the grounds management sector, is passionate about promoting the turf industry and supports a wide range of clubs and individuals who manage surfaces.

Karl said of the awards: "To win as a team at the GMA Industry Awards is a wonderful achievement. Their hard work and dedication help maintain the highest standards that is expected at a venue like Lord's. I can't thank them enough for their continued support and commitment.

"To be also recognised personally amongst so many top professionals across all sports was both surprising and humbling."