Members services

Groundstaff

The RCA works closely with all member racecourses’ groundstaff teams to promote the highest standards of turf husbandry and grounds maintenance.

Racecourse Groundstaff Awards

In partnership and with the support of Agrovista, DLF Seeds & Science and Duralock, the RCA is proud to administer the Racecourse Groundstaff Awards which are the only awards within the British Horseracing Industry to celebrate excellence in turf husbandry across all British racecourses.

All racecourses are considered for the Awards and are invited to enter a submission to share additional information with the Judging Panel.

The core awards, divided by flat, jump and dual-purpose codes, are fiercely contested each year. Once the category winners have been chosen by BHA Inspectorate, the sponsors, National Trainers Federation and Professional Jockeys Association, an independent agronomist visits the finalists to determine the Groundstaff Champion, who is announced at the Annual RCA Showcase and Awards. Previous winners are listed in the Groundstaff Awards Hall of Fame here.

Alongside the core awards, there are also awards for specific areas of excellence.  The Special Merit Award is awarded for exceptional service, this is awarded to either an individual or the full groundstaff team. The Neil Wyatt Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who has given extraordinary service over the years to a Racecourse or the Racing Industry, whilst the Richard Linley Award celebrates those new to the Racing Industry.

Groundstaff Training

British Horseracing was the first sport to have formal career progressing training in place for their groundstaff teams.  The RCA works closely with the Grounds Management Association (GMA) to deliver a structured programme of training and career development for Racecourse Groundstaff.  The training is provided at 3 levels, with each course being staged at least once annually, or more if there is demand.

In summary, these courses are:

Level 1: Racecourse Turf Maintenance

This course is designed to provide an introduction to new racecourses groundstaff and a basic knowledge of racecourse maintenance, as well as begin to prepare groundstaff for progression to Level 2.

Level 2: Racecourse Turf Management

In line with BHAGI 3.2, racecourses must have at least one member of the Groundstaff Team must be qualified in this course, or an equivalent.  This course will explore in more detail the theory and science of racecourse maintenance, and apply this in practice.

Level 3: Racecourse Management Skills

In addition to having a member of staff qualified to Level 2, BHAGI 3.2 requires racecourses must have at least one additional member of the Groundstaff Team qualified in this Level 3 course, or an equivalent.  This course is designed to explore aspects of turf culture which are applied in managing a racecourse surface, as well as developing communication, supervisory and management skills.

Further details, including dates for forthcoming courses are available from the GMA website.