Sports Turf Operative Apprentice

WIGAN ATHLETIC A.F.C. LIMITED

Lancashire (WN5 0UZ)

Closes in 8 days (Friday 22 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 13 May 2026

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Summary

To prepare and maintain sports and amenity surfaces, providing a high-quality environment for all training and playing activities. This will be across all Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors sites.

Wage

£15,600 to £24,784.50, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The wage will be dependent on age and prior experinece/skills/qualifications.

Training course
Sports turf operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday- Friday, 37.5 hours per week. Exact shifts TBC.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 June 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

  • Prepare and maintain all works in relation to playing surfaces and ensure that the preparatory and cultivation work to maintain safe quality playing surfaces is complete
  • Work as part of the grounds care operation, when required to work in any of the group’s stadium and training ground facilities
  • Assist the deputy head grounds person in delivering the pest control, weed control, seeding, fungicide and fertilisation/nutrition program for the playing surfaces
  • Ensure that the initial marking out and setting up of playing surfaces is to a high standard to ensure the best possible results are achieved
  • Ensure safe use of the grounds care equipment at all times
  • Ensure that all chemicals and products within the ground care department are used correctly and safely along with ensuing the products safe storage and security
  • Inform your line manager or health and safety office/take corrective action on mechanical defects, damage, loss or breakdown of equipment
  • To be responsible for the security of equipment
  • At all times adhere to high standards in relation to Health and Safety upholding the Company policy in this respect
  • Undertake general grounds maintenance tasks in relation to the playing surface and surrounding areas
  • Ensure work area is kept clean, tidy and secure at all times
  • Opening and closing duties such as; key holding and setting/un-setting of intruder alarms
  • Deal Deal with opposing teams/match officials/customers/clients/members of the public
  • Liaise with opposing teams and match officials to ensure the best and safe delivery of a match with regards to the playing surface
  • Up-holding high standards of customer care and attention at all times when promoting the image of the Company
  • Regular mowing using a variety of mowing equipment
  • Aeration, brushing, seeding- Use of tractor units & utility vehicles with a wide range of attachments utilised for turf care maintenance
  • Set-out & over mark pitches & pre-determined areas ready for play
  • Reinstatement of pitches
  • Divot repair work following play
  • Set-up & use both travelling & automated irrigation systems
  • Ensure the set-up goals, flags for scheduled matches at all venues and at all levels as directed by the head or deputy head grounds person
  • Regular brushing/grooming of 3G artificial surfaces using specialised equipment

Where you'll work

Dw Stadium
Loire Drive Robin Park
Wigan
Lancashire
WN5 0UZ

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
  • Training will be delivered by Oldham College in the workplace

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade Grade 9-4/A*-C or equivalent)
  • Maths (grade Grade 9-4/A*-C or equivalent)

Desirable qualifications

Other in:

Driving license (grade Pass)

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
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Reliable and hardworking
  • Able to work in all weathers
  • Able to follow instructions
  • Enthusiastic
  • Able to work under pressure

Other requirements

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.

You will also be required to complete an additional application form once interviewed by the college.

About this employer

Wigan Athletic Football Club is a professional association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. Founded in 1932, they have played at the 25,138-seat The Brick Community Stadium since 1999, before which they played at Springfield Park.

https://wiganathletic.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • Subject to the needs of the club you will be entitled to apply for any full-time vacancies

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE OLDHAM COLLEGE

Andrea Kearns

andrea.kearns@oldham.ac.uk

0161 785 4072

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000030516.

Apply now

Closes in 8 days (Friday 22 May 2026 at 11:59pm)