Apprentice Sports Turf Operative

BOSTON UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB LTD

BOSTON (PE21 7NE)

Closes in 27 days (Monday 27 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 30 June 2026

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Summary

The apprentice will be learning and practicing a range of grounds maintenance duties and will assist the head groundsman in preparation, presentation and maintenance of main pitch and 3G the Stadium, including site maintenance.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

To Be Discussed at Interview 

Training course
Sports turf operative (level 2)
Hours
Regular pattern of days Monday - Friday, including match days (Saturday and Tuesday). Approx start and finish times, 8.00am to 5.00pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Undertake routine preparation and maintenance work on the main pitch and 3G area: including but not limited to:

  • Divot management
  • Assisting with mowing, line marking, renovation and setting out equipment
  • Assisting with frost protection and drainage measures
  • Assisting with pitch maintenance – fertilising, rolling, spiking, top dressing, seeding and spraying
  • Erecting, transporting and dismantling of goals
  • Assisting with irrigation
  • Keep surrounding areas and ground storage areas maintained and tidy
  • Maintain all aspects of the building and ground sites

Typical Day to include some of the following:

  • Mowing pitch when required
  • Marking out pitch ready for a game
  • Set up goals and Porta goals
  • Pre match, half-time, full-time divot repair
  • 3G cleaning and site maintenance
  • Unlocking and locking up site
  • Repairs to pitch after matches
  • Site maintenance

Where you'll work

THE JAKEMANS COMMUNITY STADIUM
PILGRIM WAY
WYBERTON
BOSTON
PE21 7NE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

BISHOP BURTON COLLEGE

Training course

Sports turf operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

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.

Training schedule

Typical Delivery of the Apprenticeship Programme:

The typical delivery model for this apprenticeship is 4 days in the workplace and 1 day dedicated to off-the-job learning. This will be discussed at college imterview stage. 

Apprentices will spend the majority of their time developing practical skills and gaining hands-on experience within the workplace, supported by their employer and assessor.

Off-the-job learning will usually take place through planned college attendance, online learning, workshops, tutorials, and training activities designed to support knowledge, skills, and behaviours required for the apprenticeship standard.

College delivery days will take place at the Riseholme College campus, Showground Campus, Scampton, Lincoln LN1 2ZR.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 3/D)
  • Maths (grade 3/D)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Highly self-motivated
  • Consistent team performer
  • Offer solutions to problems
  • Prepared to work unsociable
  • Enjoy working outdoors
  • Desire to learn new skills

Other requirements

You will have the option to work flexibly as part of this role.

A DBS check will be undertaken if you are successful for this role.

Evening work is required (Match Nights).

Weekend work is required (Match Days).

If you are short listed for this vacancy you may need to attend more than one interview.

The role will involve working outdoors/in all weathers/standing for long periods/chemicals/heat/cold/heights/using heavy equipment/lifting etc.

About this employer

Boston United Football Club have recently been promoted to the National League. The New Community Stadium was open in 2020 after moving from the original home of York Street. 

http://www.bostonunited.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

To Be Discussed at Interview 

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be the opportunity to secure a full-time permanent role within the business, subject to performance and business needs.

There may also be opportunities for further development and progression onto a Level 3 apprenticeship programme, allowing apprentices to continue building their skills, knowledge, and career within the industry.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BISHOP BURTON COLLEGE

Jade Bishop

apprenticeshipenquiries@bishopburton.ac.uk

01964553056

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039906.

Apply now

Closes in 27 days (Monday 27 July 2026 at 11:59pm)