Established in 2020, this award enhances the long-standing and proud tradition of the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association recognising the leading Turf Management teams in Australia.

The Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award is designed to highlight teams who have delivered exceptional performances, and contributed outstanding management, operations and presentation at a sporting facility.

Open to turf management teams at all sport and recreation facilities will acknowledge and recognise the outstanding achievements of teams in the management/maintenance of a natural turf sport and recreation facility, including (but not limited to) Stadiums, Recreational Reserves, Golf Courses, School Grounds/Education Sporting facilities, Council Sportsfields and Parks, Racetracks, Bowling Greens or Tennis Courts

The award values the importance of working as a team to manage facilities, advance environmental and sustainable turf management practices, deliver outstanding results and promote the profession of Sports Turf Management. With sports and recreation facilities facing a variety of increased challenges, this Award will acknowledge and reward a team of turf professionals that have excelled in the profession of sports turf management, gone over and above in the management and presentation of the facility for community use, improvement works, local, state, national and international events, undertaken significant redevelopment works, reconstruction project or contributed significant advancements in sports turf management practices within the last 2 year period.

Prize

The winning team of the Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award will be announced at the National Sports Turf Awards event in June at the Turf Conference.  

The winning team will be presented with a trophy, certificate and awarded a training and development fund of $5,000 that may be used by the team/facility toward further education, training, team building event, team function or Australian Sports Turf Managers Association approved study activities.

Eligibility

The Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award is open to Sports Turf Management teams at any turf sport and recreation facility

• Nominees for the Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award must be responsible for the management/maintenance of a natural turf sport and recreation facility, including (but not limited to) a Stadium, Recreational Reserve, Golf Course, School Grounds/Education Sporting facility, Council Sportsfield, Parks, Racetrack, Bowling Green or Tennis Court
• Nominees for the Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award must have a minimum of 2 employees responsible for the management and maintenance of the sport and recreation facility. 
• Nominees for the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association the Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award must have at least 1 current member of the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association. 
• Nominations will be accepted from media, members, Trade or Industry Partners, National, State or Local sporting associations, club representatives, industry consultants and allied industry bodies.  
• All valid nominations will be judged individually by a panel of independent industry experts.

Requirements

• Nominations must include a letter of recommendation introducing Sports Turf Management Team and the reason for the nomination 
• In no less than 1,000 words please detail addressing the Key Selection Criteria outlining how the team has displayed outstanding achievements in the profession of Sports Turf Management. 
• Applications should include an accompanying dossier, portfolio or presentation supporting the nomination and highlighting the work undertaken, efforts and outcomes to support the nomination. 

Key Selection Criteria

Nominees will be judged against their ability to demonstrate: 

• Their continued commitment to excellence in Turf Management and working as a team to establish a commitment to excellence
• Providing a detailed description of the facility, events and/or programme and objectives prior throughout the period
• Overview of the changed turf maintenance techniques, research, new innovations or construction
• Information relating to their ability to engage players and club officials, staff, associations, management and the community
• Improvements in the presentation, safety or advancements in usage at the venue
• Description of outcomes for the facility, club and / or community upon completion of works
• Extent of knowledge of, or detail on steps undertaken to improve, the teams Turf management knowledge and/or techniques

Nomination Form

Nominations for the Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award will be accepted until the 30th April each year, and must be submitted via the form below.