ASSN REPORTS STA VIC ASSOCIATION REPORTS
AFLW players (from left) Brooke Lochland, Deanna Berry and Kaitlyn Ashmore were among the guest speakers at the recent STA Vic Sports Turf Seminar held at AAMI Park
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he STA Victoria Sports Turf Seminar was held on 19 July 2017 at AAMI Park with the day flowing smoothly thanks to Master of Ceremonies Darren James. With a mix of speakers covering the primary issues of optimisation of ground use and versatility, the appearance of an AFL legend as well as the presence of three players from the inaugural AFL Women’s league, the event was both informative and entertaining. Bayer’s turf market manager James Royal was first speaker of the day and presented on trends in plant protection research and the significant challenges in bringing out a product that meets the multiple needs of end users and regulatory controls. AFL facilities manager Shayne Ward then outlined the AFL Victoria’s Football Facilities Development Strategy. One amazing fact he divulged was that in 2010 there were just 58 female AFL teams; by 2017 there were 682 teams with 347 of those starting up in the last year! And it isn’t just AFL that is experiencing accelerated development. Daniel Lancefield, of Football Federation Victoria, highlighted the growth of soccer facility requirements in Victoria. Out of Daniel’s presentation came some interesting
ON THE MOVE BOBBY LEE: Will finish up as superintendent at Hawks Nest Golf Club, NSW on 1 September before moving to Port Macquarie. GLENN MCCORMICK: From foreman Club Mandalay, Vic to superintendent Kilmore Golf Club, Vic. ADAM MILLS: From assistant superintendent to superintendent Royal Queensland Golf Club, Qld. STEVEN NEWELL: From superintendent Kooyonga Golf Club, SA to superintendent Victoria Golf Club, Vic. SAM NEYLON: From assistant 72
superintendent to superintendent Mona Vale Golf Club, NSW. GEOFFREY PARKER: Resigned as superintendent Rosebud Country Club, Vic after more than 30 years. LUKE PARTRIDGE: From assistant superintendent Doha Golf Club, UAE to superintendent Manly Golf Club, NSW. JUSTIN RANKIN: From superintendent The Sands, Torquay, Vic to superintendent Kooindah Waters, NSW. CAMERON SMITH: From assistant superintendent to golf course manager Bonnie Doon Golf Club, NSW. AARON WALSH: Appointed superintendent Woodford Golf Club, Qld.
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 19.4
statistics which highlight there is a great deal of work in the future for soccer pitches. There are 1177 pitches in Victoria of which; 288 are grass pitches that are not high wear tolerant; l 351 pitches are constructed on poor irrigating soils; and l 412 pitches have no drainage. And cricket, the national summer sport, occupies 7700 grounds in Victoria according to Jake McMinn, national community facilities manager of Cricket Victoria. Grant Greenway, research committee convenor of STA Victoria, then delivered the first report from John Neylan on the project financed by the association titled ‘Compare possible hours of use for different sports field construction types and maintenance inputs.’ Additional technical issues on stadium development and construction came from Erik Kinlon of HG Sports Turf. Not alone in the construction sphere, Jarrod Hill from Sporteng enlightened delegates with information related to the new Perth Stadium development and the new flagship for Cricket Victoria at Junction Oval. Events took a different angle when Rob Savedra explained the night a fire took hold at Wesley College’s Glen Waverley Campus and how the school, students, staff and friends dealt with the aftermath in 2016. Jim Porter announced the winner of the STA Australia Graduate of the Year Award for 2016 – Joe Bolton from Wodonga & District Turf Club. Joe was presented with a trophy and thanked all those involved. Jim also announced STA (Vic)’s Scholarship winner – Thomas McGovan (Geelong Racing Club). The day was not a totally male affair with our panel of AFLW footballers Kaitlyn Ashmore (Brisbane Lions), Deanna Berry and Brooke Lochland (both Western Bulldogs) proving a real hit. They gave a fascinating insight into their early years that fostered their interest in football, what it is l