Sports Turf & Greenkeeping Educationalists' Summit
Working in education is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor, with each week bringing its own unique demands. One constant that stands out is the resilience of trainers and lecturers, who go above and beyond to ensure that qualifications are delivered to the highest standards.
This dedication was celebrated at the Sports Turf & Greenkeeping Educationalists’ Summit, an initiative sparked by Victoria Fiander (Trainer/Assessor at Wiltshire College) and Dr. Jonathan Knowles (Head of the Sports Turf Academy at Leicester City Football Club). After an online meeting, they conceived the idea of a Summit to bring together lecturers and trainers from across the country.
The Summit, held at the LCFC Sports Turf Academy, was preceded by a collaborative pre-meeting where attendees were invited to shape the agenda by submitting key topics they felt should be addressed. The top three priorities identified became the focus of the Summit’s workshops:
- Conducting a Needs Analysis for the Current State of Education
- Best Teaching Practices to Achieve Higher Assessment Grades
- Developing Unified Learning Materials
These workshops followed a SWOTshop format, encouraging participants to analyze each topic through a SWOT framework—Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Divided into small groups, attendees engaged in lively discussions, with each table presenting their findings to the wider room. Common themes and challenges emerged, fostering meaningful dialogue around shared issues, innovative solutions, and best practices.
The day concluded with an open session for attendees to consolidate ideas and craft an actionable plan based on the workshops. Future Summit dates were also discussed to ensure continued progress on these initiatives.
This event was designed to provide a dedicated space for collaboration among practicing educationalists, with the aim of further enhancing the excellent education available to current and aspiring sports turf and greenkeeping professionals. By addressing challenges such as recruitment, evolving technologies, and industry practices, the Summit underscored the importance of education in keeping pace with a rapidly changing landscape.
Representatives from colleges and training providers across the UK attended, with support from both the GMA and BIGGA.
If you work in the educational sector of sports turf and are interested in joining future events, please reach out to:
- Victoria Fiander: victoria.fiander@wiltshire.ac.uk
- Dr. Jonathan Knowles: jonathan.knowles@lcfc.co.uk
