Course Overview

A Sports Turf Operative is responsible for the maintenance and renovation and overall appearance of one or more sports turf surfaces in accordance with the needs of the particular sport. It is their job to maintain an appropriate quality playing surface which reflects the carrying capacity of that surface to ensure that a sustainable playing surface is provided.The career as a Sports Turf Operative can be quite varied, potentially working across a wide range of different sports and venues, including athletics, bowls, cricket, croquet, football, hockey, horse racing, rugby league and union, tennis and ranging from general parks type sports surfaces up to first class stadia. Working in the outdoor environment is a healthy and therapeutic activity, which contributes to the well-being of employees as well as users of sports surfaces. With the vast range of natural or artificial turf pitches available, throughout the UK and world-wide, now is an excellent time to join this well-established and dynamic profession.

What will I learn?

The knowledge which underpins the required skills will allow a Sports Turf Operative to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the principles of the maintenance and renovation requirements of different sports turf surfaces which are appropriate to their level of apprenticeship and the specific needs of the industry sector. These are:

– Compliance with environmental and health and safety legislation and regulations
– Compliance with policies and procedures – company, client, health and safety risk assessments, rules of the game from the different Governing Bodies of Sport
– The identification and correct application of materials, tools, equipment and machinery used in maintenance and renovation activities
– Identification and understanding of different grasses, soil types, weeds, pests, diseases, turf disorders, artificial surfacing material, underlays, infill material, turf and soil reinforcement material, line marking materials
– The principles of photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration in the growth and development of plants
– The impact of weather, ground conditions and usage on pitch quality and playing quality
– The different Performance Quality Standards for a range of different sports turf surfaces
– How to minimise waste and reduce environmental impacts
– How to monitor, record and report basic grounds maintenance findings.

Study, assessments and qualification.

This standard is recognised by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), the Professional Body for Sports Turf Operatives and others working in the grounds care industry. Upon achievement of this standard, the apprentice will be eligible to join the IOG Register of Turf Management Professionals.

Entry requirements

You must have secured a position with an employer and be ready to start working with them before you can begin your apprenticeship course.

If you already have an employer and they have agreed to put you through an apprenticeship, contact the Apprenticeship team and we’ll get you started. Email apprenticeships@wiltshire.ac.uk or call 0845 345 2235.

If you don’t have an employer, you can still apply for an apprenticeship directly – check out our latest apprenticeship vacancies here: https://www.wiltshire.ac.uk/information/apprenticeship-faqs/apprenticeship-vacancies