Established in 2020, this award enhances the long-standing and proud tradition of the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association recognising the leading Turf Management teams in Australia.

The Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award is designed to highlight teams who have delivered exceptional performances, and contributed outstanding management, operations and presentation at a sporting facility.  

Open to turf management teams at all sport and recreation facilities will acknowledge and recognise the outstanding achievements of teams in the management/maintenance of a natural turf sport and recreation facility, including (but not limited to) Stadiums, Recreational Reserves, Golf Courses, School Grounds/Education Sporting facilities, Council Sportsfields and Parks, Racetracks, Bowling Greens or Tennis Courts

The award values the importance of working as a team to manage facilities, advance environmental and sustainable turf management practices, deliver outstanding results and promote the profession of Sports Turf Management. With sports and recreation facilities facing a variety of increased challenges, this Award will acknowledge and reward a team of turf professionals that have excelled in the profession of sports turf management, gone over and above in the management and presentation of the facility for community use, improvement works, local, state, national and international events, undertaken significant redevelopment works, reconstruction project or contributed significant advancements in sports turf management practices within the last 2 year period.

Eligibility

The Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award is open to Sports Turf Management teams at any turf sport and recreation facility

• Nominees for the Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award must be responsible for the management/maintenance of a natural turf sport and recreation facility, including (but not limited to) a Stadium, Recreational Reserve, Golf Course, School Grounds/Education Sporting facility, Council Sportsfield, Parks, Racetrack, Bowling Green or Tennis Court
• Nominees for the Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award must have a minimum of 2 employees responsible for the management and maintenance of the sport and recreation facility. 
• Nominees for the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association the Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award must have at least 1 current member of the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association. 
• Nominations will be accepted from media, members, Trade or Industry Partners, National, State or Local sporting associations, club representatives, industry consultants and allied industry bodies.  
• All valid nominations will be judged individually by a panel of independent industry experts.

Requirements

• Nominations must include a letter of recommendation introducing Sports Turf Management Team and the reason for the nomination 
• In no less than 1,000 words please detail addressing the Key Selection Criteria outlining how the team has displayed outstanding achievements in the profession of Sports Turf Management. 
• Applications should include an accompanying dossier, portfolio or presentation supporting the nomination and highlighting the work undertaken, efforts and outcomes to support the nomination. 

Key Selection Criteria

Nominees will be judged against their ability to detail and/or describe: 

• Their continued commitment to excellence in Turf Management and working as a team to establish a commitment to excellence
• The turf management teams objectives and outcomes 
• Any projects, works or events which highlight exceptional team performance 
• Any specialised improvements, safety upgrades or an instance where the team was forced to respond to situation/s outside their usual scope of work
• The team's ability to work together, in relation to delivery of the above outcomes
• The team's ability to communicate, promote and engage with all facility stakeholders

Nomination Form

Nominations for the 2025 Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award have now closed.  Nominations for 2026 can be submitted via the web form below or by downloading the linked editable pdf. An editable work document can be requested from simone@astma.com.au