Peter Foreman from Adelaide Oval has been bestowed the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association’s (ASTMA) Excellence in Sportsfields and Grounds Management Award at the recent 2025 National Turf Industry Awards. Foreman received the award, sponsored by association Platinum Partner Toro, in front of a large audience at a gala dinner held at the Novotel Sydney Olympic Park on June 23. 

The National Turf Industry Awards dinner officially opened the 2025 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference which was held in Sydney for the first time in 24 years between 23-27 June. The ASTMA Excellence in Sportsfields and Grounds Management Award was one of six awards handed out on the night which recognised the achievements and successes of Australia’s sports turf management professionals over the past 12 months.

The ASTMA Sportsfields and Grounds Management Award was first struck in 2021, with Foreman (pictured right)  joining a strong list of recent winners. Foreman has been working at Adelaide Oval since its redevelopment in 2013-14, acting as the world-class stadium’s turf manager since 2021. Adelaide Oval is a multipurpose stadium in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD and hosts approximately 35 game days a year which includes AFL, cricket, concerts and international sporting and cultural events.

During his time at Adelaide Oval, Peter’s role has been all-encompassing, with a strong focus on presentation and delivery of the main playing surface, leading and mentoring a team of ten including junior and apprentice turf professionals. Peter and his team also manage the surrounding heritage-listed parklands, precinct landscaping, neighbouring No.2 surface and cricket practice facilities and lawn and artificial tennis courts.

Peter is highly engaged with the industry and passionate about training the next generation of sports turf management professionals, and is well known as a strong collaborator and communicator with internal and external stakeholders.

While Peter has worked on several high-end projects and major events, two standout examples of his commitment to excellence are his delivery of the AFL Gather Round and the Matildas v China PR fixture in 2024, done while head curator Damian Hough and key Adelaide Oval personnel were overseas consulting for the organisation’s consulting arm – Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions (AOTS).

Prior to his work at Adelaide Oval, Peter has provided a wealth of experience both in Australia and overseas, leading golf courses in Adelaide, Melbourne, New York, Scotland and the Caribbean.

“It’s a great honour to be up here tonight and accepting this award on behalf of the Adelaide Oval team,” Foreman said when accepting his award on the night. “I’d like to congratulate all of the nominees; you all do some great work so well done. I’d like to thank all the sponsors and all the support you give the industry and for the ASTMA who is a great support of the industry.”

“We’ve got an incredibly hard-working staff at the Adelaide Oval, they’re all incredibly passionate about the ground since its redevelopment back in 2013 and help present Adelaide Oval to the world through multiple sports and concerts. Over the last few years,we’ve also developed Adelaide Turf Solutions, which has helped us develop and improve a lot of grounds across the state.”

Story by Nick Creely/ Pictures by Brett Robinson (ASTMA)