GMA Young Board

When I first started out things were different in that there was no voice from within...

John Wright is one of the newest members on the GMA Young Board and, as surely one of the youngest stadium head groundsmen in the industry, will have a lot of relevant careers advice to offer IOG members in their professional development.

“The industry is constantly evolving and so are the skills needed. I would like to think that as Young Board members we’re able to show and encourage our current and future members of the development, support and training opportunities on offer that are ever-expanding.”

Southampton Football Club’s stadium head groundsman John, now 27, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the industry.

In 2015, after spending seven years at Coventry City Football Club, John, then aged 23, was appointed stadium head groundsman for The Saints at Southampton Football Club’s St Mary’s Stadium, a club renowned for its youth development says John. 

His steely determination has, he says, been “shaped and guided” by a number of influential groundsmen. These include John Ledwidge and Julien Morris at Coventry City Football Club’s academy ground and stadium, and Andy Gray at Southampton Football Club. “I am lucky enough to say that these guys have always encouraged me in many ways and have been my mentors on an exciting journey.”

“It was a period when, at such a young age, I gained invaluable experience and life lessons, and it is a time, although stressful, that I am extremely grateful for.”

Rochelle Bedford, marketing manager at Reesink, says: “By his own admission John has been lucky to have had the support and invaluable advice of some influential and extremely knowledgeable figures in the industry. It’s fantastic to see John want to carry on this mentoring support in his role on the Young Board of Directors. It’s also clear to see the advantage training has had on his development. He will have so much to offer the initiative.” 

While gaining his Level 3 in Sports Turf Management John also earnt a City and Guilds Medal for Excellence Award – one of only 78 medals issued to over 1,800,000 candidates worldwide and the first Medal for Excellence award for the Institute of Groundsmanship. 

“Education is key to getting more youngsters into groundscare. And I hope that by joining the IOG Young Board I can help get the message out to young people in schools and colleges that there is an extensive education programme available in the groundscare industry, including opportunities for degrees.

“I’d like to think that when Andy interviewed me for the role, he appreciated my level of determination,” John reflects, who is now currently completing a Level 5 course in operations/department management. 

“I strive for excellence in myself and my team. I aim for us to be the best we possibly can at everything we do. Therefore, I will undergo any training opportunity offered to me that I may find beneficial for myself or team, be it short or long courses. I strongly encourage and fully support my team to do the same.

“I would in the future like to complete a level 5 in Sports Turf, however there are now so many new courses becoming available to assist in your career development, whether available by the traditional root or via the GMA. 

“I still feel there is no better way of complementing your academic learning than being hands on in this industry, trialling and experimenting new products and machines, making small mistakes (as there is no room for major) and learning from them.”