As flagged in last week’s edition of The Cut, the ASTMA is currently calling for nominations for its annual awards, with applications closing Wednesday 30 April. The ASTMA encourages members and the wider industry to nominate a club, facility or an individual that is deserving of recognition. After looking at the ASTMA Claude Crockford Sustainability and Environment Award last week, this week we highlight one of the ASTMA’s newest awards, the Excellence in Sportsfields and Grounds Management Award, proudly sponsored by Platinum Partner Toro Australia.
 
Open to sportsfield co-ordinators, racetrack, facility or stadium managers and turf curators responsible for maintaining natural turf sporting surfaces, the ASTMA Excellence in Sportsfields and Grounds Management Award recognises outstanding achievement in turf management, operations and presentation. Instituted in 2021, the award highlights individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, implemented sustainable practices, led significant redevelopment projects, or made notable contributions in turf management within the past two years.

At the 2024 National Turf Industry Awards, stalwart Tasmanian turf manager Chris Hay from Hobart’s Ladbrokes Park Elwick became the state’s second recipient of the award, following in the footsteps of Blundstone Arena’s Marcus Pamplin who collected in 2022. Across his career Hay has developed and displayed remarkable skills and thorough knowledge in producing high standards in fine turf. This experience was called upon in late December 2020 when Hay was headhunted for a specialist position within state racing body Tasracing which was desperate to restructure its turf management practices following some significant challenges and setbacks.

In the wake of the Tasmanian Government’s Monteith Report in 2021, which cast a critical eye on Tasracing’s track management practices, Hay was called upon to implement its findings and undertake major improvement works at Elwick Park. Through a lot of hard work and dedication, the track has regained its prominent status, with the quality, consistency and resilience of the surface regularly receiving compliments from trainers and jockeys right across Australia. In light of that excellent work, Hay was subsequently appointed as Elwick’s full-time track manager.   CLICK HERE to read more… 

The winner of the 2025 ASTMA Sportsfields and Grounds Excellence Award will be announced as part of the National Turf Industry Awards held during the Syngenta Presidents Dinner on the opening night of the Australian Sports Turf Management Conference in Sydney. The winner will receive a $5000 bursary as a prize.
 
To apply or nominate a deserving recipient, submit your application online via the dedicated webform on the ASTMA Sportsfields and Grounds Excellence Award page on the ASTMA website.

Alternatively, you can download the editable nomination form HERE. An editable Word document can also be requested from simone@astma.com.au.

Please note that nominations must be received by Wednesday 30 April, 2025