AROUND THE TRADE
JOHN DEERE HELPING KICK GOALS FOR WOMEN IN TURF
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alented female turf specialists from across Australia played a critical behind-the-scenes role in one of the world’s biggest sporting events recently, supporting the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium team to prepare for several matches, including the Matildas’ group game against Canada. John Deere’s Women in Turf Program joined with the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) and Brandt Australia, in conjunction with Melbourne & Olympic Parks, to provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a group of women including apprentices through to experienced managers, selected to bring their expertise to a pitch of exacting international standards. John Deere and Brandt jointly sponsored three women who took part in the program – Sally Benwell (superintendent of Centenary Park Golf Course and sports ovals at Frankston City Council), Georgie Chandler (production assistant at HG Turf Group) and Codi Long (parks and gardens apprentice at Greater Bendigo Council). Benwell leads a team of 16 men responsible for maintaining 68 sporting grounds plus an 18-hole golf course. After a 23-year career working with only males, she said the Women in Turf program was a great opportunity to network with like-minded women with a passion for turf. “Receiving the call from John Deere to participate in the program was quite a shock, 66
Georgie Chandler was part of the HG Turf production team growing the HERO hybrid surface which was used at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
but I’m glad I took this opportunity because it’s been a huge highlight of my career so far,” says Benwell. “The program is crucial because women only make up a little over one per cent of the turf industry. It’s great to see our role being highlighted and more women being encouraged to pursue it as a career path, because it’s a very enjoyable and rewarding job. Usually I do my job with no-one watching,
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so it was quite daunting to work in a full stadium with a huge crowd. The atmosphere was amazing though and it’s something I’ll never forget.” Benwell acknowledged the invaluable mentorship of the men she has worked with over her career, but admitted she has faced some quite unusual barriers. “When I started out, there wasn’t even female workwear or boots available, so I wore men’s gear for about 15 years! We’ve certainly come a long way and, like any industry, if you work hard and take opportunities like this you can go anywhere.” John Deere launched its Women in Turf Program earlier in 2023 at the TPS Murray River golf tournament, with six female volunteers working alongside staff at Cobram Barooga Golf Club to prepare the course for the event. John Deere Australia and New Zealand golf and sports turf account manager, Tim Gammage, says the program was an important initiative to support more women joining Australia’s prosperous golf and sports turf management sector. “The program creates equal opportunities, offers personal development for the participants and really highlights the role women play in the industry,” says Gammage. “This was an amazing opportunity for these women to work at the highest level, preparing the turf for the best international female soccer players in the world.”
