Women in Turf Strategy

 

Background

In 2022, the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association announced an industry first trade recognition and pathways initiative, the Women in Sports Turf Management Strategy.

This strategy has been developed in response to the disproportionately low number of females within the Sports Turf industry, which will further assist in addressing current challenges in workforce participation and retention as highlighted by the 2021 and 2022 Sports Turf Management Labour Resourcing Survey.  Download a copy of the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association Women in Turf Strategy.

This program establishes the framework to develop a long-term approach to support female sports turf managers, the establishment of a pathways initiative to increase the number of females in the industry and a program of sustainable support and skills development to drive diversity and inclusion in the industry. 

The Women in Sports Turf Management Strategy focuses on two target areas: 

  1. Attract: A strategy that will pioneer new and innovative ways to increase participation of women in Sports Turf Management. 
  2. Retain: The advancement of vocational opportunities, developing experienced and qualified workers through a series of pathway and support initiatives 

The Women in Turf Strategy and associated initiatives will be informed by research, consultation and be data-driven to support initiatives that will increase the appeal of sports turf management to women, improve career pathways in workplaces and maximise vocational outcomes. 

The Women in Sports Turf Strategy addresses key actions necessary to increase the representation of women in a non-traditional trade. 

It is designed to strengthen relationships between industry, employers, schools and women’s networks to ensure the best outcomes are delivered for women seeking a career in turf management. 

 

Addressing Diversity in Sports Turf Management

Women continue to be underrepresented in the sports turf management industry; with females making up only 1.4% of qualified trade workers.1

Limited awareness of the trade as a viable career option, has led to shortages in skilled and trade qualified female turf managers, resulting from a disproportionately low number of females undertaking an Apprenticeship in Sports Turf Management. 

  

Martyna Synak

Senior Greenkeeper, The Australian Golf Club, New South Wales

At 1.4% of the workforce, this diversity rate is relative to, however below, that of comparative industries world wide, where in Canada, Europe, the United States and New Zealand, women represent between 4% to 7% of the industry’s’ workforce. 2

Women face a range of barriers inhibiting their choice to participate in trades. The Productivity Commission recently commissioned White Paper, highlighting the serious economic and cultural issues these barriers present in addressing skills shortages in Australia.3

 

Work Experience Programs

Targeted to support learning and develop for next generation of female leaders, experience programs are available to support female sports turf managers in accessing volunteer work placement opportunities to further develop their skills, knowledge and experience in turf management and leadership in areas including:

  • Throughout the year, the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association will arrange a series of volunteer work placement opportunities at facilities within Australia and overseas, for female sports turf managers to apply to attend. 
  • Work placement opportunities will consist of a structed program, between 2 and 5 days volunteering experience working at a facility, supervised and supported by a leading sports turf manager.  
  • The variety of turf facilities included in the program will cover: Racetracks, golf courses, stadiums, council recreation reserves, lawn tennis, bowling greens and comparable sports & recreation facilities, and may include standard operations, tournament or significant event preparation

“There’s certainly a lot more resources, a lot more support nowadays… So if you have an interest in sport, or an interest in turf – get out there and give it a go.  Ask questions and back yourself”

- Geraldine O'Callaghan
Superintendent, Sandringham Golf Links 
  

Geraldine O'Callaghan

Superintendent, Sandringham Golf Links, Victoria

Evidence shows that there are deeply embedded cultural attitudes and perceptions about what roles are ‘suitable’ for women. The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association is committed to ensuring women have full access to opportunity and choice, are valued for their diversity, recognised for their contributions and are able to participate in all aspects of their working life freely and safely. The Women in Turf Strategy builds on this commitment to drive social, economic and cultural change in the sports turf management industry in Australia.

Women’s participation in the trade workforce is crucial to the economic prosperity of Australia, as females play a vital role in addressing skills shortage in key industry areas and occupations. The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association will work with key industry stakeholders, trade partners, employers and advocacy groups to enhance trade qualification uptake and training opportunities for women.

The Strategy will redress the gender imbalance in sports turf management by:

  • leading the way in increasing the appeal of sports turf management,
  • facilitating networking & employment opportunities to drive cultural and societal change, and
  • supporting women’s learning to increase career opportunities

 

Inspiring diversity in Sports Turf Management 

The Women in Sports Turf Management program focuses on three pillars of action based on research and consultation with members, industry stakeholders, government and advocacy groups
 

What we will do

  1. Establish the Women in Sports Turf Management Strategy as an advocacy platform for women in turf and ensure trade pathways for women are informed, accessible and supported from beginning to end 
  2. Implement strategies to increase awareness of gender diversity in workplaces to assist facilities and managers to support female employees and develop an inclusive working environment 
  3. Support existing female sports turf managers in career development and improve opportunities to support women to take the first step and transition into a career in turf management.
  

 

Samantha Butler

Assistant Head Curator, Blundstone Arena, Tasmania

 

Desired Outcomes of the Strategy

Increase the appeal of turf management to raise female participation 

  • Increased awareness of the benefits of a career in sports turf management
  • Improved exposure of trade qualification pathways for women
  • Greater visibility of female sports turf managers as  ambassadors within the industry

Facilitate change to remove cultural and societal barriers 

  • Greater numbers of women taking part and completing vocational education training for turf management 
  • Development of skills that lead to a career in turf management 
  • Increased awareness of diversity across facilities and workplaces in the industry 
     

Support women’s learning to increase vocational and development opportunities

  • Increased volume of females undertaking trade apprenticeships in sports turf management 
  • Stronger career development networks between education, employers, trade partners and women in the industry
  • Reduced cultural and diversity barriers that deter women from entering the trade

Supporting this Strategic Program, is a detailed Implementation Plan and a range of Key Initiatives that are available to view in the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association Women in Turf  Strategy document

  

Susana Oliveira

Senior Greenkeeper, The Grange Golf Club, South Australia

 

Women in Turf Initiatives

Under the Women in Turf Strategy, the Australian Sports turf Managers Association has launched the following programs, encouraging all womnein th eindustry to be involved: 

For more information on the Women in Turf Strategy, and to stay updated on Initiatives and Events delivered as part of the Strategy, please complete the information form, or contact the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association on 03 9548 8600

 

  

Download a copy of the the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association: Women in Turf Strategy

 

 

 

References

1. 2022 Australian Sports Turf Managers Labour Resourcing Survey
2. Women in Turf: International Association reports 2022
3. Productivity Commission White Paper 2021. Rebooting the Economy