Jasmine Nicholls from Yorkshire poised to create BWSL record at the Emirates
On Sunday 3 March, Jasmine Nicholls, a member of the groundstaff at Headingley, will be part of a groundbreaking all-women grounds team from diverse industries. They will be responsible for preparing the pitch at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal’s Barclays Women’s Super League match against Tottenham Hotspur.
As the game has already sold more than 50,000 tickets, this event will serve as a significant achievement for women’s sports and the vital role of women in enabling sports to thrive.
Prior to the game, the BWSL and Women in Football joined forces with the Grounds Management Association [GMA] and Arsenal to support 13 grounds professionals in making history as the inaugural all-female grounds team to work at a BWSL match.
Tara Sandford, a groundsperson at Arsenal FC, will lead a pioneering group of female members, which includes Jasmine. Together, they will have the spotlight as they prepare the Emirates Stadium’s turf for the upcoming north London derby in March.
Jasmine Nicholls is a member of the groundstaff team at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. She will be part of the inaugural all-female grounds team to work a BWSL game this weekend.
At 27 years old, the individual who was involved in the highly acclaimed team of female ground staff responsible for creating the pitch for the England Women’s Ashes T20 at Edgbaston in July of last year, confesses to being extremely impressed and grateful for the chance.
She expressed her excitement for being a part of this wonderful project. Witnessing a full crowd at the Emirates stadium for the game and being a part of the atmosphere is something she is eagerly anticipating.
It is quite thrilling for me to have the opportunity to witness the process of preparing a pitch in a new sport and location, and to join together in highlighting the female groundstaff team.
Being visible is crucial, not only in order to encourage more women to participate in the turf industry, but also to inspire a larger number of individuals to join the industry as a whole.
Last weekend, two members of the pioneering team at Arsenal, Bobbie Murphy and Tara from the ground staff, started the club’s Premier League match against Newcastle United.
To ensure the smooth operation of sports, it is crucial to properly maintain pitches and grass playing surfaces. This will not only allow matches to occur but also prioritize the safety of players.
Although there has been an increase in the participation of women in sports at all levels, the number of females in the grounds management industry, which is in charge of upkeep for the country’s playing fields, remains at a mere two percent.
In partnership with Arsenal, the BWSL, GMA, and Women in Football will assist in preparing the pitch for the match, highlighting the significant role women play in sports and promoting opportunities in grounds management.
Bobbie Murphy and Tara Sandford are shown in the image from left to right.
Tara, a groundsperson at Arsenal FC, will be leading a team of 13 women from various sporting and educational facilities. They will be preparing for a Barclays Women’s Super League match, making history as the first all-female grounds team. Tara shared her excitement for this initiative, stating that it has been a thrilling experience for her both personally and professionally.
The unwavering support received by our women’s team this season demonstrates the continuous growth of the game. It is crucial that we utilize this to inspire more girls to pursue a career in football.
I am optimistic that our team of all women, who maintain the grounds, will demonstrate the various possibilities that the world of football has to offer and motivate more women to become involved in the sport.
The work of the team is a significant milestone for women’s sports and women in general. Nikki Doucet, CEO of the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, expressed her pride in being a part of this event, which highlights some of the most talented individuals in our industry and beyond. The Women’s Professional Game and Football Association are honored to be a part of this showcase, giving well-deserving recognition to these bright talents.
It is remarkable that we have been able to assemble 13 of the most highly regarded female ground staff in the country to play a critical role in a major event in our calendar. These women are not only involved in football, but also in various other industries, showcasing the abundance of talented women in the workforce.
Jasmine joined the rugby community through her work on the groundstaff team for Leicester Tigers, where she assisted in the preparation of the field for the match against Bath Rugby at the end of last year. She is now gearing up for a busy year at Headingley.
As part of the YCCC award-winning team, Head of Grounds Richard Robinson will be joined by her in preparing the Headingley pitch for YCCC in all formats. This news was celebrated by Yorkshire at the Grounds Manager of the Year Awards.
In addition, there is an added element of anticipation for two IT20 matches. On Sunday, May 19, the England Women’s team will face Pakistan, followed by a clash between the men’s teams on Wednesday, May 22. Furthermore, in the later part of the year, on Saturday, September 21, England will compete against Australia in an ODI.
During the third day of the Ashes test match between England and Australia last summer, the YCCC ground staff were captured in a photo clearing water from the ground after heavy rainfall.
According to her, there is a significant amount of activity on the field. She also mentioned that regardless of the weather conditions and scheduling, the pitch will always be prepared.
Being a member of this team is truly exceptional. Even in the face of challenges, we will persist and uphold the highest standards for all teams.
In the future, Jasmine stated that she will actively maintain a visible presence in her role, with the hope of motivating others to join the industry.
The woman expressed her desire to contribute towards normalizing the presence of women in all positions within the field of cricket.
During the Hundred event last year, there is one particular memory that stands out in my mind. I recall a young girl standing outside of the garage, who then turned to me and pointed to the building, saying, “That’s the ground shed where the men and women work.”
The remark of the young girl, who appeared to be around five years old, made me realize that if I am able to influence or alter the thinking of someone so young, it could potentially have a ripple effect across all aspects of cricket.
The transformation will not occur suddenly, but I will seize every chance to demonstrate that anyone can be on the pitch, regardless of their identity.
The game will be held at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, March 3, 2024, starting at 12:30 pm. It will also be aired live on BBC Two.
The team will be comprised of:
- Alexia Doughty is an apprentice groundsperson at Stratford Sports Club.
- Beth Gibbs holds the position of groundsperson at Wellington School.
- Bobbie Murphy is an apprentice groundsperson at Arsenal Football Club.
- Carlie Lambert is currently an apprentice groundsperson for Worcestershire County Cricket Club.
- Emily Geach volunteers as a groundsperson at both Boconnoc Cricket Club and Tormarton Cricket Club.
- Georgie Grimes is a groundsperson for the FA at St George’s Park.
- Jasmine Nicholls serves as a groundsperson for Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
- Liddy Ford is a groundsperson for the FA at St George’s Park.
- Meg Lay is a groundsperson at Lord’s, Marylebone Cricket Club.
- Phoebe Taylorson is an apprentice groundsperson at Middlesbrough Football Club.
- Rachel Hunter-Worrall is a groundsperson at Queen Ethelburga’s School in York.
- Zibby Parker works part-time as a groundsperson at Ipswich Town FC and Essex County Cricket Club.
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