The ASTMA’s Registered Training Organisation (RTO #46011) this week completed the practical skills component of the ‘Prepare sports turf surfaces for play’ unit (AHCTRF306) for students enrolled in its Certificate III in Sports Turf Management course. The first year apprentices spent four days at Adelaide Oval in the lead-up to this weekend’s Round 2 AFL Premiership match between Port Adelaide and Richmond, with ASTMA national training manager Albert Sherry and SA training manager Chris McCulloch assessing them across a number of set tasks to ensure they meet industry benchmark standards.

This finalised the unit that they have been undertaking since classes recommenced for the year back in late January. Adelaide Oval is a perfect venue for assessment in the unit as it offers world-class facilities including the main arena which hosts both AFL and cricket as well as concerts, No.2 oval with turf wickets and turf practice facilities, as well as lawn and artificial tennis courts.

“Chris and I would like to thank head curator Damian Hough, Pete Foreman and the amazing team at Adelaide Oval for the time and work they put in to not only accommodate us but to make the week such a success,” says Sherry. "Damian (pictured top addressing the group) provided students with a very hands-on approach throughout the week, beginning with a walk and talk of the iconic sporting venue and wrapping up with a tour of the maintenance facility.

“As part of that, the apprentices completed a worksheet on each of the respective turf surfaces the venue maintains before being split into smaller groups supervised by the Oval’s incredibly giving staff. This allowed Chris and myself to concentrate on capturing each student completing the tasks required in the assessments.

“We had another fantastic week and the group really took an amazing amount of pride in their work, knowing that they were a part of preparations for AFL match day. Getting the chance to experience time on an elite oval, let alone preparing one of the world’s best sporting venues and working with an extraordinary team of dedicated people over the week, was an extremely rare opportunity for students. We cannot thank Damian and his team enough for facilitating this experience for the students.”

Elsewhere, second-year Cert III students completed delivery of the ‘Establish turf’ (AHCTRF308) and ‘Monitor turf health’ (AHCTRF310 ) units, preparing their submissions on the monitoring of both warm-season and cool-season turf varieties at their workplace throughout the growing season.

Students enrolled in the Diploma of Sports Turf Management course are also being kept extremely busy completing assessments in the ‘Manage trial and research work’ unit (AHCWRK514) which they commenced a series of trials for in spring and monitored through to the start of 2025. They have also started the ‘Negotiate and monitor contracts’ unit (AHCBUS514).

“I am so impressed with the quality of the work students are delivering and their work ethic,” says Sherry. “Given the pressures placed on young professionals from a workplace and personal life point of view, without factoring in the extreme spring and summer weather conditions across parts of the country, it is great to see the level of dedication they have for their studies.”

For more information on the ASTMA RTO and details on the respective courses, content and how to enrol, please contact Albert Sherry either by email albert@astma.com.au or on 0473 064 726 (if unattended please leave a short message and return contact details). The ASTMA website also has a wealth of information – visit the ‘Registered Training Organisation’ section under the ‘Education’ tab at www.astma.com.au. Importantly, the ASTMA offers rolling enrolments in both qualifications meaning you can join at any time and commence your training with the next scheduled unit.