About the qualifications

The National Diplomas in Sports Turf Management (Level 6) recognise advanced training in organisational and business management, applied turf management and design and construction principals. The blend of scientific, technical, practical and managerial experience in sports turf technology is designed to equip for a more management focussed position in the sports turf industry.

Achieving the qualification with the NZ Sports Turf ITO

The National Diplomas in Sports Turf Management (Level 6) are currently delivered through a combination of Massey University papers and specific unit standards offered by the NZ Sports Turf Institute. A particular advantage of using Massey University to deliver National Diploma course material is that Massey papers can also be used to credit towards the University's own Graduate Diploma in Rural Studies. This means that it is possible to study for a university qualification and the National Diploma in Sports Turf Management simultaneously - there is probably no other method of study as cost-effective.

The Diplomas can be completed on a correspondence basis with Massey University and NZ Sports Turf Institute by people working in the industry. Typically each Diploma takes between two and two and a half years to achieve in this manner.

Selected units included in the Diploma can also be completed stand alone as part of a Self select program without committing to the full qualification.

Diploma study is also available on a full time basis. For example, students enrolled full time at Massey University in a Diploma in Rural Studies, Certificate of Horticulture or Bachelor of Applied Science can use these qualifications to acquire credits towards the National Diploma.

Practicing turf managers must possess a relevant Trade Certificate, Diploma in Turf Culture, National Certificate in Sports Turf Management (Level 4) or relevant science degree before progressing on to the Diploma. Pre-requisite information for those who do not meet this requirement is available through the NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation.

Who is it for?

The National Diplomas in Sports Turf Management are targeted principally at those already employed in the sports turf industry. The program is ideal for those wishing to develop further in management responsibility within the sports turf industry.

Detailed information on the content of qualifications and unit standards in sports turf is available on the NZ Qualifications Authority website. 

Workplace Assessment

Workplace Assessment is about certifying that a trainee can consistently perform a particular skill in the workplace to a standard that is acceptable to industry. This assessment is carried out by a qualified turf manager. Typically this takes place through discussions with the trainee to ensure they understand what they are about, and observation of their performance when carrying out practical tasks over a period of time. Most often these tasks are performed as a normal part of workplace operation.

Resources for Workplace Assessors

In order to support this process of workplace assessment, and maximise the consistency of assessment decisions between Workplace Assessors, the NZ Sports Turf ITO has published a 'Workplace Assessors Manual' and 'Assessment Guides'. The 'Workplace Assessors Manual', along with describing how sports turf industry training works, explains simply how to go about good assessment in a sports turf workplace, and make this a positive and constructive experience for trainees.

The Assessment Guides take the practical (on-job) aspects of individual sports turf unit standards (identifying the particular skills to be assessed) and outline in a simple checklist format the type of tasks and judgements that should be made when determining whether a trainee should be credited that unit standard. The 'Workplace Assessors Manual' and 'Assessment Guides' are available from the NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation.