Accredited Cricket Pitch Curators Program

The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association Accredited Cricket Pitch Curator Program is designed to certify cricket pitch curators are skilled, knowledgeable and committed to the consistent preparation of turf surfaces. Accreditation ensures that curators meet specific criteria, introduces Accredited pathways to expand learning and development, training and support opportunities for existing curators, and importantly – to increase the talent pool and develop more quality pitch curators in Australia.

The Curator Program consists of 4 Levels of Accreditation, with structed development to build from an introductory foundation level for new, inexperienced or volunteer curators - through to in-depth training on advanced aspects of turf management and preparation of pitches for curators at venues hosting National and International fixtures.

The Accreditation courses are a combination of skill and knowledge development, comprising elements of face to face learning, virtual learning modules, and online assessments to ensure skill, knowledge and competency is attained through each level of Accreditation.

Accreditation training program will be held at a local (state based) venue, facilitated by senior and experienced curators, and structured to develop a pathway for curator training to support and develop qualified and skilled pitch curators.

Cricket Australia and the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association

The Accredited Curator Program was developed in conjunction with a Curator Working Group (CWG), comprising representatives of Cricket Australia, Head Curators and the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association, and endorsed to standardise curator training nationally, and assist with the increasing challenges faced by curators in Australia.

In 2023, Cricket Australia and the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association entered into an Agreement, endorsing the Accredited Cricket Pitch Curator Program to be implemented nationally to support current and emerging curators.

View details of the Accredited Cricket Pitch Curator Program

Curator Education, Training and Career Development

Accreditation ensures that curators undertaken structured learning, meet specific criteria, introduces career pathways to expand learning and development and training and support opportunities for existing curators, and importantly for the longevity of cricket in Australia – to increase the talent pool and develop more quality pitch curators in Australia.

Consisting of 4 Levels of Certification, each building on knowledge and skills of the level previous, from an introductory foundation level for inexperienced or volunteer curators, through to in-depth training on advanced aspects of turf management, and preparation of cricket pitches for Tier 1 venues hosting National and International fixtures, training programs are held at local venues, facilitated by senior and experienced curators, and structured to develop a pathway for curator training to support existing and develop future qualified pitch curators.
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Ensuring that each Curator is accredited in skill, knowledge and ability by the governing body

Standardising Curator Training Nationally The National body, the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association will be responsible for managing the program on behalf of Cricket Australia, including completion of administration and reporting requirements, training seminar registrations and engagement with State Sports Turf Manager bodies. The Association will produce, and work with individual State Associations to refine, training guides for each level of Curator Accreditation. Training content and topics for each Level are structured, however utilising the skills and knowledge of local curators and subject matter experts, local curators and State Associations will have flexibility to develop content for the training unique to their climate, environment and conditions. How to become an Accredited Cricket Pitch Curator Each Level will consist of Face to Face training, online learning modules and Course Assessments Topics to be covered in face to face training are standardised nationally for each level of the Accredited Curator Program, however the detail related to each topic are presented as guides, allowing flexibility in training content to be developed by each State Association to accommodate local conditions. Utilising the skills and knowledge of local Curators, State Associations' and subject matter experts, delivery of face to face training will have the flexibility to develop content unique to their climate, soils, environment and growing conditions.		View details of the Accredited Cricket Pitch Curator Program
Example: Level 1 Accreditation Process Curators attend and undertake a practical (1-day) face-to-face Pitch Preparation training seminar. Upon completion of Face to Face (practical) training elements: Curators complete an online module relating to curating subjects covered at the practical training seminar Curators complete an online Assessment demonstrating proficiency in areas knowledge and understanding After successfully completing Assessment, curators receive a Statement of Attainment as a Nationally Recognised Curator – Level 1 Training Delivery Training under the Accredited Cricket Pitch Curator Program will be delivered by a combination of: Current Curators at leading Australian facilities (Accredited Level 3 and Level 4) Cricket Pitch curators Qualified Trainers and Assessors (in Certificate III (AHC31319) and Diploma of Sports Turf Management (AHC51019)) Leading Agronomy consultants Experienced Pitch Curators Sports Turf Managers, Subject Matter Experts and Players

Registering for an Accredited Curator Training Seminar
The scheduling and delivery of face-to-face training sessions will be co-ordinated by the respective State Associations recognised by the ASTMA in each State. Dates, times, locations and frequency of face-to-face training will be managed by State Associations to ensure suitability in scheduling within regions. Click here to see list of scheduled Accredited Curator Training Seminars

Accreditation Program Benefits

Current Curators at leading Australian facilities involved in the Program as trainers will be recognised for their involvement. Through the provision of training and accreditation to emerging curators, trainers will be not only supporting emerging talent, but also assisting to improve curator/staff retention across the industry

As well as increasing a future turf managers’ career opportunities, Curators involved in training under the Program can assist to share knowledge and experience, allowing them to feel and increased level of role appreciation and satisfaction. This sharing of knowledge can assist current and future curators to:

Build resilience, abilities and knowledge
develop and improve protective factors related to mental health
provide curators with skills and confidence to understand early intervention

Making a Difference

Through involvement in the Program, Curators will be a part of a strategy that will deliver tangible improvements to cricket in Australia, including:

Assist in shaping the skills and knowledge of next generation talent
Learn to value curating tradition and innovation
Provides an opportunity to learn, and network, as well as teach
Make a difference – with visible results
Build positive relationships with administrators, players and the cricket community

A focus on continual improvement

The Australian and State Sports Turf Managers Associations will work to build, support and establish unified approach to training under a National model, and together will work with state and territory Associations and experienced (Level 3 and Level 4) curators to continually maintain and develop the Curator Accreditation program.