Sports Turf Management

Though, after three and two years respectively they both see a future in the industry.

Both are employed as Modern Apprentices by Wellington City Council, Parks and Gardens. Nathan and Brayden work at Berhampore Golf Course and are completing a National Certificate in Sports Turf Management (Level 4). 

“I’d like to get into cricket,” says Nathan. “It’s a real challenge to get a number one wicket, compared to the work on a golf green, where things can often be the same day to day.”

Nathan grew up in Wanganui, working as a Rough Technician at Wanganui Golf Course for over two years, before moving to Wellington for the position at Berhampore.  The Wanganui job was a good introduction and the course was also the venue for the New Zealand Women’s Amateur Champs. 

“Working there was great experience, seeing the Champs, gaining knowledge.  If I hadn’t had to wait for two years for the next apprenticeship, I would have stayed, but I was offered this one and here I am. It’s worked out well.”

Brayden moved into Parks and Gardens straight out of college, working for the Upper Hutt City Council before moving to Berhampore.

“I saw this position on the council website.  The apprenticeship process is excellent, it’s structured really well, the block courses, being able to meet people, the support – it’s good,” says Brayden.

“I’d like to stay in the golfing area, possibly look at moving to the States or Australia after working in New Zealand for a couple of years,” he says.

Nathan and Brayden are enrolled with the NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation.  It develops and manages accessible training programmes which are designed to meet the specialised needs of sports turf managers.  The NZ Sports Turf ITO has purpose designed training (subsidised by government and industry)for mower operators, grounds staff, and council, contractor and sports turf facility administrators and turf managers.  Helen Goodwin is the Modern Apprentice Co-ordinator from the NZ Sports Turf ITO working with Nathan and Brayden.

“I see their work from an attendance, block course and correspondence point of view, rather than the on job training. Brayden’s doing exceptionally well and always had.  Nathan’s made some excellent recent improvements.  He is a good example of when people make a decision to focus, and a true change is made,” says Helen.

Support, encouragement, hard work and keenness seem to be a theme in this Modern Apprenticeship.  Trevor Jackson, Sportsfield Manager, Parks and Gardens, Wellington City Council, who employs both Nathan and Brayden, believes it’s crucial that they have support on the on-job side of things.  

“We have to support them through the whole process.  Make sure we encourage them.  That they get their papers completed on time, support them with the block courses.  We have to put the effort in too,” says Trevor.

The WCC believe in the future investment of apprenticeships and currently have four within Parks and Gardens.  Trevor considers Sports Turf Management to be a developing skill within the industry, and lot more scientific than in the past with more professionalism. 

“They’re improving all the time and we’re seeing the results through their management techniques and in the sports field.  It’s a real team effort,” says Trevor.