A professionally maintained playing surface is essential to many sports, both at the community and eliete level.  Being part of a trade profession that manages, prepares and maintains psorts turf surfaces, you can play a critical role in the sport & recreation industry with a specialist trade career.

Industry opportunities are varied, as too are the roles you can undertake from day-to-day - From taking care of golf courses to racetracks, international sporting facilities and local community cricket wickets, a career in sports turf management can be personally and professionally rewarding .

Interested in a Career in Sports Turf Management?

Like what you see and wondering how to get a Qualification? Sports Turf Management is a qualified trade profession, meaning that individuals obtain a qualification through completing an apprenticeship.  

There are a range of TAFE institutions and RTO's offering a Certificate III in Sports Turf Management, the trade qualification from completing an Apprenticeship.  More information about apprenticeships and education providers can be found here

 

Do I need to be employed to undertake an Apprenticeship?

Yes, to commence a Sports Turf Management Apprenticeship you will need to be employed by an organisation and have the support of your employer to complete an Apprenticeship. 

 

Where could I look for employment opportunities to get into the turf management industry?  

• Sports Turf Managemnt apprenticeships are regularly posted on our Positions Vacant page, from organisations looking to provide the opportunity for individuals to undertake an Apprenticeship. 
• Approach your local Golf Club, Racetrack, Sports Stadium or other sport & recreation facility and ask if they are looking for staff.
• Talking to local sport & recretion facilities may lead to casual work, summer or casual work placement opportunities which can lead into an apprenticeship
• Careers advisors and support networks can often assist in connecting invidiuals with local facilities to find out more about turf management, and work experience opportunities.
• Register your interest with a local training provider, who are regularly in touch with local companies looking to take on sports turf management apprentices.

 

Do I need a qualification first to start work in the turf industry?

Not in all instances - there is often opportunities for labourers, short term contract, summer seasonal or casual work to get you started in the industry.

Lots of companies and clubs will offer apprenticeships to help get you qualified; this is how most people gain their qualification. If you complete an apprenticeship and get qualified it will increase your opportunities, progression and earning potential.

 

Do I need to be interested in sport or play golf?

No, you don’t need to be able to play sport, but an interest may help. An interest in working outdoors, sports, environmental management, biodiversity and agronomy (soil, grass, turf, plants, trees) is beneficial. 

 

Is Sports Turf Management only working on Golf Courses or Stadiums?

No - Sports Turf Management is not only limited to golf courses or stadiums.  There is also opportunities to use your skills and qualifications in areas like sports fields and grounds - think places like reacetracks, cricket pitches, soccer, tennis, rugby fields and bowling greens, or looking after council fields and reserves, private and public school sports fields just to name a few.

Sports Turf management skills and qualifications are Australia wide - and are recognise overseas.  Australian Sports Turf Managers have a fantastic reputation overseas, with turf qualified turf managers looking after many international stadiums, facilities and courses internationally. There are also exhange programs, career development programs and education opportunities internationally that a qualification can open up to advance your career

Turf Management is for everyone! Turf management careers are for everyone – male, female, all ages and ethnicities. We are a diverse and inclusive industry with a passion for what we do. Take the first step and contact us to find out about more about a career in sports turf management. 

 

What does a Career in Sports Turf Management look like? 

The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) has been working with both Federal and State and Territory Governments at length over the past few months, highlighting the critical work that sports turf managers undertake and the value they contribute, as well as communicating our concerns relating to the skills shortage current and forecasted across our industry.

In parallel with this is work relating to the level of opportunities and barriers to the uptake of apprenticeships in a number of primary industries across agriculture and horticulture, including sports turf management, racing, conservation and land management and environmental management. This work has focussed on the promotion of sports turf management as a viable career choice, in addition to the active promotion of the industry into high schools, vocational careers and mature-aged apprentices seeking to establish a career.

The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association have produced a series of career videos (below) that highlights the benefits of choosing sports turf management as a trade career, the great work opportunities available and the variety of roles across all industry sectors.

Among those sports turf managers featured in the video are 2022 Australian Open host superintendent Hayden Mead (Kingston Heath Golf Club), Michael Smith (Grounds M, Scotch College), Joel Corboy (Apprentice, Moonah Links), Michael Salvatore (Executive Turf Manager, MCG) and Shane Wilson (Turf Tradesman, MCG).

The ASTMA encourages all members and practitioners to check out the video and share it through their communications channels to help promote and raise the profile of our great industry.