Looking to take your turf management career to the next level? The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) is now taking applications for the 2025-26 Future Turf Managers’ Initiative (FTMI), presented in conjunction with Silver Partner Jacobsen. 

The next instalment of the popular industry-leading professional development program will again be delivered in a hybrid format, with online modules starting in late 2025 and culminating in a two-and-a-half day face-to-face program in Melbourne in March 2026. 

Across both online and in-person workshops, seminars and roleplay activities, FTMI participants will delve into subjects such as communication, budgeting, team management, CV writing and interview techniques, networking and career development. Sessions will be presented by a wide variety of keynote speakers and established turf industry professionals.

The FTMI is now heading into its tenth year in Australia, with hundreds of up-and-coming turf managers from Australia and New Zealand having benefited from the program which aims to equip them with the necessary skills to progress their careers. As part of the FTMI, the cohort is split into four groups with each assigned a mentor. 

The mentors, many of whom are past FTMI graduates themselves, help to guide the groups through the respective online and face-to-face sessions, providing their insights and experiences along the way.

"The FTMI is a standout program for emerging and future turf industry leaders," says ASTMA CEO Mark Unwin. "Participants gain unparalleled access to industry experts, skilled mentors, and invaluable networking — a proven pathway to career success." 

 “Nearly 75 per cent of graduates have progressed into senior or leadership roles, thanks to the program’s quality and the ongoing support of Jacobsen, and we are excited to welcome the next intake for the 2026 program, and encourage all aspiring leaders to take advantage of this outstanding opportunity."

NZGCSA president Jason Perkins said the program was beneficial for up-and-coming turf managers in New Zealand and was providing invaluable opportunities to develop their skills.

"The FTMI has been an invaluable experience for some of the younger members of our turf industry to further learn team management, budgeting and business skills amongst others," he said. "We have had a number of FTMI candidates go on and fill leading roles in our industry since 2016. A couple of our early FTMI graduates - Sam Keats and Sam Davis have both given back to the program as mentors to further strengthen the FTMI reputation.

"Both Sams have gone on to become superintendents themselves and have been active as members of the NZGCSA Board. The experience that the FTMI provides is unique and I would like to thank Jacobsen and ASTMA for the delivery of such an outstanding educational tool."

 Recent 2025 graduate Ricky Mether from Trentham Golf Club, just over an hour northeast of Melbourne, said the program had a range of benefits. 

“The FTMI program has really helped me identify what my goals are for my career and where I aim to be. It has helped me identify the best pathway to achieve my career goals,” says Mether. “There was a lot to take away, something as simple as resume building and job specific cover letters to budgets and their intricacies and even just picking the mentors’ brains on a few things was invaluable.”

Mether’s thoughts were echoed by fellow 2025 graduate Cameron MacDonald (pictured middle right) from the City of Wanneroo in the northern suburbs of Perth in Western Australia.

“The overall highlight of the program for me was the opportunity to make connections with so many people within the industry and, better still, future leaders. I now have contacts all over Australia and even New Zealand, all of whom currently have and will continue to have valuable knowledge and experience which they are willing to share. To have a network set up like this and essentially handed to me on a plate is incredible and truly invaluable,” he said.

Fellow graduates Daniel Fulcher (pictured top right) from Maroochy River Golf Club in Queensland and Steven Spreadborough (pictured bottom right) from Aston Hills Golf Club in South Australia were proud of their involvement in the FTMI program. 

“The FTMI was a real eyeopener not only for my career but on a personal level as well. A message that really resonated with me was how to build your own personal brand. After reflecting on the FTMI program, I have really focused on that and what actions can be taken for me to reach the level I aspire to be in the turf industry,” Fulcher said.

Spreadborough believed the program provided him with some beneficial tips and learnings to bring back to his team.

“This experience has made me re-evaluate the leadership and management style I have and aided me in the ability to assess everyone within my organisation to better read the type of person they are and ask the questions of what motivates them so I can tailor my leadership style to help suit everyone,” he said.

CLICK HERE to apply for the next FTMI intake or CLICK HERE to find out more information about the FTMI. For those who are wanting to apply, you will be required to answer a series of detailed questions contained within the application form. The ASTMA encourages applicants to read these questions first so they can prepare their answers before filling in their application. CLICK HERE to view the questions.

CLICK HERE to read a review of the most recent FTMI and feedback from the program’s graduates that appeared in the March-April 2025 edition of Australian Turfgrass Management Journal (Volume 27.2).