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Jess Jackson, Head of Grounds (and our much-loved perpetual bobble-hat wearer), will be making history this week as part of the first-ever all-women grounds team at Twickenham Stadium.
From Wednesday through Saturday, Jess will join a 15-strong, all-female team of grounds professionals preparing the world-famous pitch for the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final. Their work will include mowing and marking the surface ahead of a sell-out crowd of over 80,000 for one of the biggest days in the rugby calendar, as New Zealand take on France in the bronze final, before preparing the pitch for the main event later that day – the World Cup Final: England vs Canada.
This initiative is the first time an all-women team has taken charge of pitch preparations for a global rugby final, shining a light on the growing presence of women in the sports turf industry. The team brings together women from across the country, representing world-class venues such as Wimbledon, Wembley, Lord’s, Leicester Tigers and leading schools and colleges.
Jess’s inclusion reflects the exceptional quality of her work here at Wellington, where her leadership and expertise ensure our pitches are maintained to the highest standard.
Mark D, Grounds and Gardens Manager, said:
“The standard of work Jess produces for us at the College and the quality of the pitch surfaces means it was always likely she would be selected when shortlisted. We are all incredibly proud of her.”
The Grounds Management Association (GMA), which coordinated the initiative, hopes this historic moment will encourage more women to enter the profession. Currently, fewer than 10% of grounds staff are women, but with women’s sport booming and female visibility in the industry growing, opportunities are expanding.
This all-female team follows on from the pioneering work at the Emirates Stadium earlier this year, where women prepared the pitch for the North London Derby in the Women’s Super League. For Jess, it’s another step in a career that is both inspiring and trailblazing — and a wonderful recognition of her skills on the biggest stage.
You can read more about this landmark initiative on the Grounds Management Association website here. 
