Sports Turf Grounds Person Apprenticeship
ROCHDALE ASSOCIATION F C LTD
Rochdale (OL11 5DR)
Closes in 19 days (Friday 21 November 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 31 October 2025
Contents
Summary
This is an excellent opportunity for a smart, ambitious and self-motivated individual to join a friendly team. To undertake all duties associated with maintaining and renovating sports surfaces in a football environment, ensuring that the facilities are in premium condition.
- Wage
-
£13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
The salary will depend on any prior experience and if you have a full current driving license,
- Training course
- Sports turf operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Sunday, shifts to be confirmed.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Friday 28 November 2025
- Duration
-
2 years
- 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
The apprenticeship will give you the skills and knowledge to complete the tasks below:
- Work as a member of the Grounds team to ensure playing surfaces are consistently well maintained and fit for purpose
- Identify and ensure the correct application of materials, tools, equipment and machinery used in maintenance and renovation activities, under the supervision of the Head Groundsman
- Identify and understand different grasses, soil types, weeds, pests, diseases, turf disorders, artificial surfacing material, underlays, infill material, turf and soil reinforcement material, and line marking materials
- Understand the principles of photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration in the growth and development of plants, and apply this knowledge accordingly
- Contribute to monitoring the impact of weather, ground conditions and usage on pitch quality and playing quality, and work with the Grounds team to take appropriate action as necessary
- Contribute to minimising waste and reducing environmental impacts
- Monitor, record and report basic grounds maintenance findings
- Apply knowledge and skills with a logical and systematic approach, also demonstrating a positive work ethic in achieving the desired outcomes from the playing surfaces being maintained
- Contribute to maintaining and renovating turf surfaces in a safe and appropriate manner to ensure training and matches can take place in a fair and safe manner
- Use a range of equipment and machinery as required, including but not limited to, mowers, scarifiers, aerators and other specialist turf equipment, covering hand tools, as well as pedestrian operated, ride-on and tractor mounted implements
- Correctly calibrate equipment for material requirements and apply at the correct rates a range of materials, including grass seed, fertilizer and bulky top-dressing
- Use integrated prevention and control methods to reduce the incidence of diseases, disorders, pests and weeds on turf
- Set and mark out playing areas in accordance with the Laws of the Governing Bodies of Sport
- Maintain tools, equipment and machinery used for maintenance and renovation activities, to ensure their safe and effective use
- Maintain and conduct basic routine servicing and repairs to drainage and irrigation systems
- Effectively communicate with others and provide an excellent level of customer service
- Work safely, efficiently and effectively at all times, whether under supervision, as an individual, or in a team
- The post holder will also be required to undertake any other duties as required by the Head Groundsman and/or any other Senior Manager/Director
Where you'll work
Crown Oil Arena
Sandy Lane
Rochdale
OL11 5DR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE OLDHAM 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
Sports Turf Operative Level 2.
You will be fully supported by the Club and your Oldham College Tutor/Assessor, who will visit you regularly in the workplace. Also, you will have online tutorial sessions to attend.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 3-9/A*-D)
- Maths (grade 3-9/A*-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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Trustworthy and diligent
- Able to stay calm
- Able to focus well
Other requirements
You will also be based at the training ground - Platt Lane Complex, Yew Tree Rd, Fallowfield, Manchester M147UU. You will be expected to be flexible with the working hours. There is a degree of lifting and carrying that you will need to be able to carry out. Applications will only be accepted through the National Apprenticeship Website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. Please do not contact the employer direct. If your application is successful, you will be contacted by The Oldham College (normally via email) to invite you to attend a pre-interview and initial assessment. A driving license is desirable, but not essential.
About this employer
Rochdale Association Football Club, known as 'The Dale', is a professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, formed in 1907. They play at the Crown Oil Arena (Spotland Stadium) and are currently in the National League, the fifth tier of English football. The club was admitted to the Football League in 1921 and has a history of FA Cup runs and promotions.
After this apprenticeship
Next level apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE OLDHAM COLLEGE
Andrea Kearns
andrea.kearns@oldham.ac.uk
01617854072
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000349106.
Apply now
Closes in 19 days (Friday 21 November 2025 at 11:59pm)
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