Australian Sports Turf Managers Association  Sportsfields & Grounds Graduate of the Year Award

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With the rise of dedicated turf education courses in recent times, the calibre of graduates increases from year to year, which makes this award one of the most difficult to judge.

The ASTMA Graduate of the Year Award is special in that it gives an indication of where the future of the industry lies. Today's recipients will be tomorrow's superintendents and turf managers and will ultimately go on to play a major role in the development and direction of sports turf management in this country.

For the lucky graduate, the award provides a huge boost, helping to launch their career in the best possible way. With Toro on board as Graduate of the Year Award sponsor for close to 20 years years (since 2004), a lucrative education package also goes the way of the winner.

Selection Criteria

The structure of the ASTMA Graduate of the Year Award for Sportsfields & Grounds, sees nominees come directly from the winner of individual State Associations' Graduate Awards programs. To be eligible, students must have graduated from their studies in the previous 12 months and be the State Graduate of the Year for Sportsfields & Grounds.

In deciding upon who wins national honours, the judging panel will consider the graduate's academic achievements, career aspirations, ambassadorial skills and how winning the award will assist the graduate in meeting their career ambitions.  

All finalists will be judged by an independent panel consisting of currernt Superintendents, industry experts, ASTMA Board Members and Sports Turf Management teachers. The finalists will be required to give a presentation on their Apprenticeship, turf management practices and theories, and undertake a series of questions from the judging panel forming the overall assessment of the Graduate of the Year.

 

Past Recipients
2025	Jon Marrett	People First Stadium, QLD
2024	Kelsey Lovell	Blundstone Arena / Museum of Old and New Art, TAS
2023	Lachlan Roache	The Gabba, QLD
2022	Pat Dewhirst	South Australian Cricket Assocaition, SA
2021	Kennedy (Ned)  Sorrell	Scotch College, WA
2020	Matt Wolfe	The City of Albany, WA
2019	Nathan Andrews	Citywide Service Solutions, VIC
2018	Mark Patterson-Hill	HG Turf, NSW
2017	Joseph Bolton	Wodonga and District Turf Club, VIC
2016	Kurt Dillon	Green Options, NSW
2015	Grant Wooley	Aurora Stadium, TAS
2014	Luke Cooney	Hale School, WA
2013	Andrew Spicer	Wyong Shire Council, NSW
2012	Rory Bainsfather-Scott	Western Australian Cricket Association, WA
2011	Rebecca Dynon	Racing Victoria, VIC