Apprentice Groundsperson
RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION
Twickenham (TW2 7BA)
Closes in 12 days (Wednesday 12 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 29 July 2026
Contents
Summary
Step onto the pitch at Allianz Stadium as an Apprentice Groundsperson and learn from an elite Grounds team, maintaining one of rugby’s most famous playing surfaces. This two-year apprenticeship offers hands-on turf management and event experience, plus online study for a Level 2 Sports Turf Operative certificate with manager support.
- Wage
-
£23,000 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
This includes an event day supplement to cover any hours worked on event days
- Training course
- Sports turf operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
This is a fulltime role, covering 35hrs per week (Monday- Friday, with a one-hour unpaid lunch break per day) with some weekend work expected to support events.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 7 October 2026
- 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
- Help prepare and maintain the Allianz Stadium pitch to elite standards for international rugby, Premiership fixtures and other major events
- Work alongside the Grounds team and pitch contractors to support matchday and event preparations, including pitch reinstatement and site logistics
- Learn to safely operate specialist grounds machinery, including mowers, tractors, buggies, line markers and fertiliser spreaders
- Support wider stadium grounds maintenance, including artificial surrounds, green areas, trees, hedges, car parks and other site areas
- Complete apprenticeship learning activities, including keeping a training log and working towards a Level 2 Sports Turf Operative certificate
Where you'll work
200 Whitton Road
Twickenham
TW2 7BA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MYERSCOUGH 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
Apprentices will achieve the Level 2 Sports Turf Operative Apprenticeship qualification and will then be eligible to join the IOG Register of Turf Management Professionals.
Delivery is work-based using blended learning technologies on the employer’s premises. There is an expectation that 20% of the working week will be off the job training, which is a legal requirement.
More training information
The end point assessment will contain 2 components:
- A Written and Online Test
- Practical Assessment
There will be 3 levels of achievement: Pass, Merit & Distinction
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- 2 other subjects (grade 2-9/E-A*)
- English (grade 2-9/E-A*)
- Maths (grade 2-9/E-A*)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- Time management
- Passion for learning
- Collaboration skills
Other requirements
You will be expected to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
To ensure your application has the best chance of being considered for the vacancy you must provide information on all qualifications undertaken stating highest grades achieved in every subject, paying particular attention to maths and English. Along with this you need to state any previous work experience.
About this employer
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for rugby union in England, responsible for growing and supporting the game from grassroots clubs through to the national teams, including England Men and the Red Roses. Our Purpose is simple: Enrich lives and grow the sport for future generations. It's to represent something bigger than ourselves - the game, each other, and the communities we're part of. Through rugby, we aim to inspire pride, create belonging, and ensure the sport continues to thrive for everyone, on and off the pitch.
Company benefits
- A variety of corporate discounts
- A variety of corporate discounts · Priority access to purchase match tickets
- 25% discount in Rugby Store and EnglandRugby.com
- 25 days of annual leave
- Your birthday day off
- Free access to the stadium gym
- Life insurance of 4x your basic salary
- Income protection scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Pension scheme
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
On completion of the apprenticeship and Level 2 Sports Turf Operative certificate, the apprentice will have gained practical experience in elite sports turf management, pitch preparation, grounds machinery and event support at a world-class venue. This could support progression into roles such as Assistant Groundsperson, Groundsperson, Sports Turf Operative or Grounds Maintenance Technician, with longer-term opportunities to develop towards Deputy Grounds Manager, Grounds Manager or specialist sports turf roles across stadiums, training grounds, clubs or wider sports venues.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MYERSCOUGH COLLEGE
Jim Buttar
JimButtar@RFU.com
020 8831 7491
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000045475.
Apply now
Closes in 12 days (Wednesday 12 August 2026 at 11:59pm)