12 May 2022

The next generation of greenkeepers have hit the lawns at TAFE NSW Yallah, with a record number of students ready to learn how to prepare world class sporting fields.

Dozens of new students have descended on the picturesque campus to commence practical training, the highest intake of sports turf management enrolments on record.

Graduates of the TAFE NSW Certificate III in Sports Turf Management are highly sought after by leading sports turf venues throughout the country. World-class sporting teams rely on the niche skills that are required to prepare a pitch that will either make or break a game.

The commencing students are hoping to take after TAFE NSW graduates like Adam Lewis, who is now Sydney Cricket Ground Curator and groundsmen and Josh Edwards, who maintains the hallowed turf of Stadium Australia.

TAFE NSW Yallah student and Moruya local Luke Mikula decided to pursue sports turf management to harness a career as a greenkeeper and has secured an apprenticeship at Moruya Jockey Club.

He said the course had given him the in-demand, industry leading skills to make an immediate difference in his role.

“I’ve been putting a lot of what I’m learning at TAFE NSW into practice and it’s showing great results,” Mr Mikula, 30, said.

“I can identify certain weeds straight away now and I know exactly how to treat them.”

Onsite learning facilities at TAFE NSW Yallah include golf and bowling greens, all serviced by industry-leading machinery and equipment.

Stadium Australia’s Graeme Logan says TAFE NSW Yallah will play an increasingly critical role in building the pipeline of green keeping professionals through its range of sports turf management and horticulture courses.

“TAFE NSW is equipping students with the experience that they need to pursue some of the best jobs in the country,” Mr Logan said.

“It takes a high level of skills and knowledge to maintain sporting fields at the top level and TAFE NSW graduates have the practical skills and industry knowledge required, which is why Stadium Australia hire them.”

To explore the range of horticulture courses available at TAFE NSW and via TAFE Digital, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601 for more information.

Media contact: Dan Johns, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 0477 722 428