Grounds Management Framework
The national standard for sports surfaces — and a practical way to measure your own
The Grounds Management Framework (GMF) sets the national standard for natural turf sports surfaces, from grassroots clubs to elite stadiums. It defines what good looks like at every level of sport – and gives you a clear way to see how your surface measures up, and what it takes to improve it.
Whatever you look after, the GMF helps you understand where your pitch stands today, what's needed to reach the next level, and how to build the skills to get there.
Know your level
The best place to start is to find out where you are. Our GMF self-assessment shows you your current level and what it takes to progress.
Basic
A playing surface that is safe for recreational sport and meets the minimum playing needs and expectations of community players nationwide.
Appropriate for
- Football - Grassroots and Women’s Regional Leagues
- Cricket - Casual cricket and friendlies
- Rugby Union - League Levels 9-12
- Rugby League - Regional Leagues
Good
A playing surface that is good quality and safe for recreational sport. It meets the playing needs and expectations of community players nationwide.
Appropriate for
- Football - Grassroots and Women’s Regional Leagues
- Cricket - Local and County Leagues
- Rugby Union - League Levels 7-9 (with full Mini & Junior teams)
- Rugby League - National Conference Leagues
Advanced
A playing surface that is high quality and meets the needs of top-level recreational sport. It meets the playing needs and expectations of both community and semi-professional players nationwide.
Appropriate for
- Football - Step 3 to 6 and Women’s Super League, Championship, & National League
- Cricket - Feeder Leagues to Premier Leagues
- Rugby Union - League Levels 3-6
- Rugby League - National League 1
High
The playing surface is of a very high quality that meets the needs of professional and semi-professional sport in the UK.
Appropriate for
- Football - National League and Women’s Super League & Championship
- Cricket - National Counties and Premier Leagues
- Rugby Union - Championship
- Rugby League - Championship
Elite
A playing surface that is of outstanding quality and meets the standards of play for elite sport in the UK. It meets the playing needs and expectations of professional athletes, both nationally and globally.
Appropriate for
- Football - International, Premier League, & Championship and Women’s Super League & International
- Cricket - International and First-Class Counties
- Rugby Union - International and Premiership
- Rugby League - International and Super League
More than a Benchmark
The GMF isn't just a measure of your surface – it's a tool to help you improve it. Once you know what level your playing surface sits at on the five-level scale, you can work towards improving this – levelling up to the next grade on the scale.
GMA’s Skills & Knowledge Matrix sets out the skills, training and knowledge needed at each level, so you can develop yourself and your team as you raise your standards.
Why GMF matters
As the body behind the GMF, the GMA gives the whole sector a shared, national standard to work to – so that wherever sport is played, the people who look after the surface know exactly what they're aiming for, and how to get there.
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