The world-renowned Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions (AOTS) team has been announced as the new turf management partner of the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust (KPST), which manages GMHBA Stadium and surrounding landscaped areas in the major Victorian regional city of Geelong.

AOTS, the consulting arm of the famed South Australian stadium’s grounds team, enables head curator and ASTMA board member Damian Hough and his team of experts to provide consultation and turf services to venues around the world. 

Hough and his team will now ensure GMHBA Stadium continues to be expertly prepared for sport, entertainment and community events, with a comprehensive turf reconstruction planned for early 2026.

KPST CEO Gerald Griffin was delighted to welcome Hough and his AOTS team to the fold.

GMHBA Stadium currently hosts elite AFL and AFLW and domestic/international cricket and has previously held A-League, rugby union fixtures as well as the Matildas national soccer side.

“After a highly competitive tender process, we determined that the Turf Solutions team’s world-class reputation and track record made them the right partner for GMHBA Stadium,” he said. “We are always working to attract more major events to GMHBA Stadium and Turf Solutions will support us as we bring additional content to the venue. We would also like to thank Green By Nature for their dedicated contribution to the maintenance of the field of play over the last five years.”

Hough and his team, since establishing AOTS in late 2023, have gone global as well as providing local clubs and councils with a range of different turf management services. The AOTS has worked across major events such as AFL Gather Round in Adelaide and provided drop-in pitch construction for the 2024 ICC Men’s Twenty20 World in New York as well as overseeing the installation of ten drop-in pitches into the Oakland Coliseum for Major League Cricket (MLC) fixtures in the US.

“We’ve had the privilege of working on major international events, elite sporting grounds and local community facilities, but the team are seriously excited about the potential and prestige presented by GMHBA Stadium,” Hough said. “This new partnership is a major achievement for Turf Solutions, and we are grateful to Kardinia Park for putting their trust in us.”

Turf manager Liam Kirkman will lead the GMHBA Stadium crew moving forward after joining AOTS. Kirkman brings six years of experience into the role and will be supported by operations manager Jon Trendorden with oversight from Hough who will continue his work across Adelaide Oval and AOTS. The crew begin work this week as they prepare for AFLW and the upcoming BBL season.

GMHBA Stadium is one of two regional Australian venues slated to host BBL fixtures this summer alongside Coffs Harbour with the Melbourne Renegades to play at the stadium in back-to-back matches.

Story: Nick Creely; Pictured above: Damian Hough and Jon Trenordern; GMHBA Stadium in Geelong