Apprentice Sports Turf Operative

Summary

Working as part of the Grounds Team at the Seat Unique Stadium which is home of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club (GCCC), Western Storm and two international cricket fixtures in 2024. The Apprentice will work on all aspects of the playing surface putting turf management skills in to action.

Annual wage: £15,500 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Sports turf operative (level 2)
Hours: Monday to Friday 0900hrs -1600hrs
35 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 24 February
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 2

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Work with the Grounds Team on all aspects of Playing Surface Management, undertaking routine grounds preparation, maintenance, renovation, and general upkeep of the playing surface.
Attend operational meetings.
Working alongside the ECB and ICC delivering the best cricket pitches possible.
Flexibility will be required to cover events such as Drone Shows, Fireworks, and concerts.

Where you’ll work

NEVIL ROAD

BRISTOL

BS7 9EJ

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE

Your training course

Sports turf operative (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Apply the correct rates and range of materials to sports turf surfaces (e.g. grass seed, granular fertilisers, bulky top-dressing, turf and root zone).
Set and mark out the sports turf surface in accordance with the relevant governing body rules (including line marking, the 3-4-5 squaring technique, and marking arcs and semi-circles).
Prepare machinery and equipment to ensure their safe and effective use when carrying out sport turf tasks.
Maintain levels of soil moisture using either irrigation or drainage systems.
Inspect the condition of sports turf, make observations and communicate findings (e.g. PQS, weeds, pests, diseases, thatch content).
Prepare the ground and established grass areas as part of sports turf renovation tasks (e.g. overseeding, turfing).
Carry out cylinder mowing of sports turf surface(s) in accordance with set requirements.
Carry out repair of sports turf surfaces using relevant equipment and machinery (e.g. divot repair, foot hole repair, animal damage).
Prepare and safely operate a tractor and it's attachments.
Select and use relevant communication styles (e.g. verbal, written, digital) to convey information to different audiences (e.g. clients, staff, suppliers).
Adopts a systematic approach to troubleshooting and solving day-to-day resource or equipment issues.
Identify a range of turf grasses (vegetative and seed). (Including, perennial ryegrass smooth stalk meadow grass, annual meadow grass, fescue grass (fine), bent grass).
Carry out maintenance of sports turf surface using relevant equipment and machinery (including scarification, and aeration).
Dispose of waste in a safe and sustainable manner.
Apply the correct rates and range of materials to sports turf surfaces (e.g. grass seed, granular fertilisers, bulky top-dressing, turf and root zone).
Set and mark out the sports turf surface in accordance with the relevant governing body rules (including line marking, the 3-4-5 squaring technique, and marking arcs and semi-circles).
Prepare machinery and equipment to ensure their safe and effective use when carrying out sport turf tasks.
Maintain levels of soil moisture using either irrigation or drainage systems.
Inspect the condition of sports turf, make observations and communicate findings (e.g. PQS, weeds, pests, diseases, thatch content).
Prepare the ground and established grass areas as part of sports turf renovation tasks (e.g. overseeding, turfing).
Carry out cylinder mowing of sports turf surface(s) in accordance with set requirements.
Carry out repair of sports turf surfaces using relevant equipment and machinery (e.g. divot repair, foot hole repair, animal damage).
Prepare and safely operate a tractor and it's attachments.
Select and use relevant communication styles (e.g. verbal, written, digital) to convey information to different audiences (e.g. clients, staff, suppliers).
Adopts a systematic approach to troubleshooting and solving day-to-day resource or equipment issues.
Identify a range of turf grasses (vegetative and seed). (Including, perennial ryegrass smooth stalk meadow grass, annual meadow grass, fescue grass (fine), bent grass).
Carry out maintenance of sports turf surface using relevant equipment and machinery (including scarification, and aeration).
Dispose of waste in a safe and sustainable manner.

Your training plan

Apprenitceship will be delivered 100% in the workplace, with workplace visits and online contact by College Assessor

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

GCSE's inc English & maths (grade 9 to 2 (A* to E))

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Physical fitness
Reliability

Other requirements

Travel to the ground will not be paid.

About this company

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club boasts a team in Division 2 of the County Championship. We are also reigning champions of the T20 Blast which we won at Edgbaston earlier this year. We are an international sporting venue with a large portfolio of hospitality suites. In 2025 we will welcome both England Men and Women’s teams who will face West Indies and India respectively.

https://www.gloscricket.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Potential for a full-time role with the club.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: