Gama Aviation was proud to take part in the first-ever League Managers Association (LMA) Annual Partner Tournament, hosted at the prestigious St. George’s Park – the home of England’s national football teams. This inaugural event also marked the beginning of our multi-year corporate sponsorship agreement with the LMA, underlining our commitment to supporting an organisation that champions leadership, resilience, and performance at the highest levels of professional football.

A welcome like no other

The day began with breakfast in the Club England suite at the Hilton St. George’s Park Hotel, where Sky Sports presenter Bianca Westwood hosted the welcome briefing and explained the schedule. It was here that the participating partners were introduced to the line-up of highly respected football figures from the LMA, who would each manage one of the seven teams.

The managers on the day were:

• Carla Ward – Current Republic of Ireland manager & former Aston Villa WSL manager
• Wes Morgan – Premier League & FA Cup-winning captain, Leicester City
• Gary Monk – Former Premier League player & Swansea City manager
• Chris Hughton – Former Brighton & Hove Albion manager and Tottenham Hotspur player
• Tony Mowbray – Former Celtic player & Premier League manager, WBA
• Michael Johnson – England coach & ex-Birmingham City Premier League captain
• Brian McDermott – Former Leeds United & Reading manager

Alongside Gama Aviation, the other six teams in the tournament were:

• Guinness
• The Premier League
• Everest Home Improvements
• T Rowe Price
• Franklyn
• GRS Roadstone

When Gama Aviation’s name was drawn first, we were delighted to be placed under the expert guidance of Carla Ward, whose energy and leadership immediately inspired the team.

Inside the England dressing room

From there, players were escorted into the St. George’s Park training facilities, entering the Bryan Robson changing room – one of those reserved exclusively for England internationals. Each locker was prepared with a complete Nike kit, energy snacks, and a branded LMA water bottle, giving players a genuine sense of what it is like to prepare for an international match.

As Adam Neaves, Head of Charter at Gama Aviation, reflected:

“Walking into the England changing room with our names above the lockers was surreal. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience – the same facilities used by England’s footballers at the highest level.”

 

Representing Gama Aviation

Our team was comprised of invited clients and colleagues, reflecting the importance of partnerships and relationships at Gama Aviation.

Team line-up:

• Adam Neaves – Head of Charter, Gama Aviation
• Richard Hughes – Lead Account Manager, Aircraft Management & Charter, Gama Aviation
• Gary Trudgett – Marketing Manager, Gama Aviation
• James Foley-Comer – Partner, Jaffa & Co
• James Williams – VP Fleet Sales, VistaJet
• Tom Carter – Senior Key Account Manager, MedAire
• Paul Woodman – Technical Director, Ascend Airways
• Nick Kelly – Commercial Director, Ascend Airways

On the pitch

The tournament format was fast-paced 7-a-side football played on the Sir Alf Ramsey pitches.

The Gama Aviation team started brightly but endured narrow defeats in our first four fixtures, with efforts regularly striking the posts and crossbar, and opposition goalkeepers delivering man-of-the-match performances. Showing resilience and determination, the team finished strongly, winning our final two games to secure 5th place in the league table.

A day of insight and inspiration

After the matches, participants returned to the Club England suite for a Q&A session with all the managers – a unique opportunity to hear firsthand about leadership, resilience, and motivation in professional football.

The day concluded with a comprehensive tour of St. George’s Park, taking in the world-class indoor and outdoor pitches, training facilities, and support operations. The tour finished with rare access to the Sir Bobby Moore Boardroom, a privilege that underlined the special nature of the event.

As Evie Freeman, Group Director of Client Experience and the lead for Gama Aviation’s LMA partnership, noted:

“Our partnership with the LMA is about aligning values – teamwork, leadership, and striving for excellence. This tournament showcased all of that, while giving our colleagues and clients a truly unforgettable experience. It’s opportunities like this that strengthen our relationships and demonstrate what makes Gama Aviation unique.”

Partnerships beyond the pitch

While the football was the centrepiece, the day was also a celebration of the relationships that underpin Gama Aviation’s business. Sharing such an immersive experience with clients from Jaffa & Co, VistaJet, MedAire, and Ascend Airways created the chance to strengthen bonds in a way that no meeting room could replicate.

Looking ahead

The inaugural LMA Partner Tournament was more than just a football event. It was a celebration of teamwork, a showcase of world-class facilities, and an opportunity to live – if only for a day – like an England international.

Gama Aviation would like to thank the LMA, Carla Ward, and all our colleagues and clients for making this such a memorable occasion.