Brightlingsea-based Grassroot Media has been selected as a finalist in the Excellence in Innovation category at the 2026 Tendring4Growth Business Awards.
The recognition comes as Grassroot Media continues to grow its advertising network across grassroots football, rugby, cricket and bowls clubs around the UK.
The business is headquartered in Brightlingsea, Essex, but its network now reaches 350+ grassroots sports clubs, with 150+ digital screens and 2,500+ posters across the 4 sports.
The innovation is in the model
Grassroot Media has not invented screens, posters or advertising. The innovation lies in bringing those things together in a model designed to create value for both advertisers and the grassroots clubs hosting the media.
Participating clubs can use their digital screens as practical noticeboards and sponsor channels, promoting fixtures, events, membership, fundraising, club news and their own commercial partners. Alongside that club content, part of the screen inventory is used for national and regional advertising campaigns.
The established poster network works alongside the screens, giving advertisers a route into changing rooms, clubhouse bars, corridors and other high-dwell social spaces. Together, the formats reach active, social audiences inside the places where they actually play sport and spend leisure time.
See how the clubhouse screen model works. You can also explore the UK club network.
“I’m particularly pleased that the category is Excellence in Innovation. We haven’t invented screens, posters or advertising; the innovation is really in the way we bring those things together.
“The aim has always been to create something that works for both sides. Clubs get useful communications tools and opportunities to promote their own sponsors, while advertisers get access to active, social audiences inside grassroots sports environments.
“There is still a lot we want to build and improve, so it’s really nice to have that thinking recognised here in Tendring, where the business is based.”
Mat Court, Grassroot Media
Local roots, national network
Grassroot Media’s roots remain in Brightlingsea and Tendring even as the sports network has expanded nationally. That local origin has shaped the model: screens are intended to be useful to host venues as well as valuable advertising inventory, while direct relationships with clubs remain central to how campaigns are delivered.
The Tendring4Growth Business Awards are organised through Tendring District Council’s Tendring4Growth programme. The 2026 awards evening will be held at the Princes Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea on Thursday 8 October 2026.
Grassroot Media’s current and historic independent recognition is collected on the Awards & Recognition page. Campaign evidence and results can also be explored in the case studies.
Interested in advertising through grassroots sport?
Grassroot Media helps brands reach active, social audiences inside football, rugby, cricket and bowls clubs across the UK through digital screens and poster advertising.
Explore advertising opportunities
More information about the awards is available from Tendring4Growth.