The Sports Turf Association Queensland (STA QLD) will have a new voice leading into the future with experienced sports turf manager Peter Kazakoff (pictured above) stepping into the role as interim president ahead of its AGM later this month.

Kazakoff, who is currently the head grounds manager and pitch curator at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, northern Queensland, takes the reins over from Jarrod Bird - a former leading cricket curator with Queensland Cricket - who has spent 15 years involved with the association, including the last few years as president.

“I am happy to stand down and let the next generation take our industry forward. It is in great hands with Pete and the team. I back them all the way. Go well,” Bird said via a Linkedin post.

It has been a busy year for Peter, who spent 17 years as a groundsperson at the Gabba in Brisbane, preparing the Great Barrier Reef Arena for recent men’s ODI cricket matches between Australia and South Africa at the venue in late-August for the first time since 1992 to great success.

October will be a busy time for STA QLD with the association, in conjunction with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Queensland (GCSAQ), hosting a Sports Turf Education Day as well as the AGM on October 21 at the Australian Lawn Concepts Turf Farm.

The association will also host their Sports Turf Management 40-year reunion on Friday October 31 at the Grovely TAFE College in Brisbane, Past and present members of the sports turf industry, as well as past and present students and teachers of Sports Turf Management will be in attendance with a high-profile guest speaker locked in.

“It was a bit of a shock to be asked by outgoing president Jarrod Bird to take on the role as interim president of the STA QLD, we have our AGM coming up on the 21st of this month at the Sports Turf Education Day held at Australian Lawn Concepts Turf Farm,” he said. “Jarrod has accomplished so much and been a stalwart in the turf industry, so it was an honour to be asked. 

“As secretary we have had some great field days at the GABBA and Great Barrier Reef Arena where I hosted a cricket wicket training day, and we had a great turnout for a regional day with Living Turf showcasing and explaining their products and TORO giving demos with their VENTRAC machines. 

“The future looks great in QLD with some really good up and coming greenkeepers with a big pool of grounds managers already established themselves. We are also in the process to merge with the Golf Course Superintendents Association QLD so hopefully we can get that across the line soon.”

The ASTMA congratulates Jarrod on a terrific stint as president and Peter on his appointment into the role.

Story by Nick Creely/ Picture supplied