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National code: AHC51019

Diploma of Sports Turf Management

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Overview About this course

Turn your dreams into reality and launch a career working at iconic venues like the Sydney Cricket Ground or Sydney Olympic Park. You’ll be prepared for roles in major venues with the in-demand skills and knowledge needed to manage sporting facilities or fields.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Plan and develop sports turf playing surfaces

  • Manage sports turf facility assets

  • Manage staff requirements

  • Develop and manage a chemical use strategy

  • Develop soil health and plant nutrition programs

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • The skills to design, plan and construct a sporting facility or playing field to specifications

  • Confidence in your supervisory and leadership skills

  • Strong pathways to continue your studies and enhance your career opportunities

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • That you have completed a Certificate III in Sports Turf Management or an equivalent turf management trade level qualification, evidenced by providing a copy of your transcript, or

  • That you have completed a Certificate III level qualification in amenity horticulture combined with two years of work experience in a trade level role at a sports turf facility, evidenced by providing a copy of your transcript and your resume

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • Intermediate level fitness to manage physical demands, such as lifting and standing for moderate periods

  • Adequate eyesight or relevant aides to differentiate plant signs of diseases and pests

  • A drivers licence, to operate certain machinery and to transport tools and vehicles around sporting facilities on public roads

  • Adequate personal protection equipment, such as industry approved boots, a hat, cotton drill long sleeve shirt and pants

  • The ability to handle the pressure that comes with expectations around sports ground performance

  • Logistical skills associated with managing work crews and sports turf projects

  • Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 12 high school level

  • TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test.

  • This skills test helps us to understand your individual study needs, to design an individualised plan that supports your study success and ensures your LLN skills match the demands of the course.

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like:

Greenkeeper

Greenkeepers establish and maintain fine turf, grassed areas and synthetic surfaces used for sporting events.

  • Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

    84%

  • Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.

    5,100 workers

  • Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.

    42 years

  • Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.

    $990

  • Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.

    40 hours

  • Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.

    Medium

  • Gender share

    2% female

  • Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.

    Moderate Growth

Other jobs include: sports turf manager, curator or consultant, senior bowling greenkeeper, golf course superintendent, racecourse manager and curator of cricket and football ovals.

Licensing

To successfully work within the sports turf management industry, you will need a Pesticide Licence, to demonstrate you have a safe and ethical understanding of chemical applications, handling and storage. Visit NSW Environmental Protection Agency for licensing requirements and guidelines before you apply.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 0 Courses

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

The Diploma of Sports Turf Management does not have any pre-requisite courses.

Further study 0 Courses

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

The Diploma of Sports Turf Management does not have any post-graduate courses.

Related study 1 Course

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Diploma of Sports Turf Management qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 14 Units of competency, including 10 core and 4 speciality units.

Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

  • Manage sports turf renovation programs AHCTRF506

  • Audit irrigation systems AHCIRG507

  • Manage sports turf facility assets AHCTRF508

  • Develop sports turf management programs AHCTRF507

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

  • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

  • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

  • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

  • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

  • TAFE NSW Libraries

  • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

  • Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home

  • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

  • Student associations – get social with our student community

Info sessions Want to know more?

There are a total of 2 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.

You can select a delivery option below to see the sessions available. Or you can view all sessions related to Horticulture

Delivery options Find a location to enrol

On campus, online and blended study environments; at TAFE NSW your learning works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites, compare courses and discover what works for you.