Rugby / Bristol Bears
Bristol Bears ground staff named UK’s best
The ground staff of Bristol Bears have scooped Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year 2026 award, seeing off competition from the likes of Harlequins, Northampton Saints and the Allianz Stadium.
The award was presented at a ceremony at Edgbaston, hosted by the Ground Management Association (GMA), which celebrates excellence in ground staff teams across sport from elite level to grassroots.
A combined effort across sites proved key, with Chris Fox and Dan Breddy at the Bears High Performance Centre in Beggar Bush Lane and Jack Langley and Rob McKinlay leading operations at Ashton Gate.
The team delivered under a demanding schedule, preparing pitches for both the men’s and women’s sides competing in the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Women’s Rugby, while also playing a key role in hosting fixtures during the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“Not all heroes wear capes – some drive Kubota GR2120 lawn mowers or push line markers” – photo: Bristol Bears
Ashton Gate staged both semi-finals – including England’s clash with France – as well as two quarter-finals, helping draw an estimated 92,000 fans to Bristol across the tournament.
The GMA Awards recognise the often unseen work behind the scenes across sports including rugby, football, tennis and horse racing, where the teams ensure surfaces meet the exacting standards required for elite competitions.
Not all heroes wear capes – some drive Kubota GR2120 lawn mowers or push line markers.
Bristol’s team beat strong counterparts including teams from Harlequins, Northampton Saints and the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, who prepared the surface for the Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
Aston Gate hosted both semi-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, including the fixture of England v France – photo: Martin Booth
Dan Sparks, Bristol Sport Group grounds manager, said: “Massive credit to the whole of the grounds team for their dedication and expertise on a day-to-day basis across multiple sites and surfaces.
“To prepare Ashton Gate in particular, for football and rugby, including a global sports event like the Women’s Rugby World Cup and all the spotlight that brings, is testament to them.
“We were up against some high-quality grounds teams, including Harlequins, Northampton Saints and the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham for their Women’s Rugby World Cup surface, so to be awarded Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year 2026 is a real honour.”
Bristol Bears ace Louise Rees-Zammit routing the Leicester Tigers in the season opener at Ashton Gate – photo: Rogan/Bristol Bears
Main photo: GMA/Bristol Sport
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