ASTMA Graduate of the Year Award - Sportsfields & Grounds

 

 

Australian Sports Turf Managers Association 

Sportsfields & Grounds Graduate of the Year Award

 

Presented in partnership with

 

 

With the rise of dedicated turf education courses in recent times, the calibre of graduates increases from year to year, which makes this award one of the most difficult to judge.

The ASTMA Graduate of the Year Award is special in that it gives an indication of where the future of the industry lies. Today's recipients will be tomorrow's superintendents and turf managers and will ultimately go on to play a major role in the development and direction of sports turf management in this country.

For the lucky graduate, the award provides a huge boost, helping to launch their career in the best possible way. With Toro on board as Graduate of the Year Award sponsor for close to 20 years years (since 2004), a lucrative education package also goes the way of the winner.

Selection Criteria

The structure of the ASTMA Graduate of the Year Award for Sportsfields & Grounds, sees nominees come directly from the winner of individual State Associations' Graduate Awards programs. To be eligible, students must have graduated from their studies in the previous 12 months and be the State Graduate of the Year for Sportsfields & Grounds.

In deciding upon who wins national honours, the judging panel will consider the graduate's academic achievements, career aspirations, ambassadorial skills and how winning the award will assist the graduate in meeting their career ambitions.  

All finalists will be judged by an independent panel consisting of currernt Superintendents, industry experts, ASTMA Board Members and Sports Turf Management teachers. The finalists will be required to give a presentation on their Apprenticeship, turf management practices and theories, and undertake a series of questions from the judging panel forming the overall assessment of the Graduate of the Year.

 

Past Recipients

   
2025 Peter Foreman (pictured) Adelaide Oval, SA


 

2024 Kelsey Lovell Blundstone Arena / Museum of Old and New Art, TAS
2023 Lachlan Roache  The Gabba, QLD
2022 Pat Dewhirst South Australian Cricket Assocaition, SA
2021 Kennedy (Ned) Sorrell Scotch College, WA
2020 Matt Wolfe The City of Albany, WA
2019 Nathan Andrews Citywide Service Solutions, VIC
2018 Mark Patterson-Hill  HG Turf, NSW
2017 Joseph Bolton  Wodonga and District Turf Club, VIC
2016 Kurt Dillon Green Options, NSW
2015 Grant Wooley Aurora Stadium, TAS
2014 Luke Cooney Hale School, WA
2013 Andrew Spicer Wyong Shire Council, NSW
2012 Rory Bainsfather-Scott Western Australian Cricket Association, WA
2011 Rebecca Dynon Racing Victoria, VIC