PRESS INFORMATION Myerscough College sportsturf students are given a range of special opportunities to further their careers in the industry, both during and after their course. Our range of specialist sportsturf and horticultural provision is second to none. We are also currently the largest provider of workbased training and apprenticeships within the sportsturf & amenity sector, providing national coverage to employers of all sizes. Here are some recent examples of our sportsturf student successes & what we offer: A Myerscough College greenkeeping apprentice prepared the fairways at one of golf’s most prestigious events, the Ryder Cup. James Cleaver is currently studying a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Work-based Horticulture, while working as a Senior Head Greenkeeper at The Belfry. James was part of the volunteer greenkeeping team for the Ryder Cup, which was held at Le Golf National, Paris. Two Myerscough College apprentices have been named the best student greenkeepers in the country after they both scooped a prestigious national industry award. Daniel Ashelby has been named winner of the 2018 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year, while Danny Patten has won the Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year accolade. Both Daniel and Danny are studying an Advanced Apprenticeship in Work-based Horticulture (Sportsturf/Greenkeeping) with Myerscough College. The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards is a nationwide contest hosted by greenkeepers’ association BIGGA and sponsored by turfcare machinery and irrigation manufacturer Toro, alongside its official UK distributor Reesink Turfcare. This is the 30th year of the Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award, while the Young Greenkeeper of the Year is in its third year. PRESS INFORMATION Myerscough College is once again well represented at the 2018 IOG Industry Awards, with sportsturf learners past and present nominated in a number of categories. This year, celebrating their 10th anniversary, the awards acknowledge the passion, dedication and challenges faced by grounds staff, volunteers and professionals across all levels of sport. Dan Sparks is nominated in the category of Rigby Taylor/Top Green Young Grounds Person of the Year. 26-year-old Dan, who is Head of Grounds at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate stadium, completed a Level 3 apprenticeship in Work-based Horticulture (Sportsturf), and in addition to his role is now studying a foundation degree in sportsturf with Myerscough College, online. Jonathan Calderwood – who after studying with Myerscough in the 1990s has gone on to earn a reputation as one of the best groundsman in world football – is nominated for the International Ambassador of the Year Award. Jonathan is currently Head Groundsman at Paris Saint-Germain. Leicester City Football Club is the latest in a long list of Premier League Football Clubs to choose Myerscough College as their apprenticeships delivery partner. The implementation of the Apprenticeships Levy has seen the club invest heavily in the recruitment of new apprentices and also taken the chance to upskill existing staff to a higher level of competency. As part of their apprenticeship Josh, Leah and Ryan will learn a wide range of skills, and rotate across sites also working at the Belvoir Drive training complex. This ensures their experiences are as varied as possible as they learn the complexities of the job. They’re supported with regular college tutor visits, technical workshops and access to a sophisticated e-portfolio and virtual learning environment. PRESS INFORMATION A Myerscough College sportsturf apprentice has been recognised for the quality of her work at a special reception at the House of Commons. Tara Massey was invited to Parliament to the Association of College’s ‘Celebrate Student Success: Past & Present’ event. The AoC’s Student of the Year awards highlight exceptional students from across the country, with Tara being named Highly Commended in the Apprentice of the Year category for the quality of her work during her Intermediate Apprenticeship in Horticulture - Sportsturf – Groundsmanship. Tara has spent her apprenticeship as part of the grounds team at Manchester City Football Club, as one of only two female apprentices of their kind amongst Premier League football clubs, the other also being a Myerscough learner. Wimbledon & The Oval are among the destinations for a group of Myerscough College sportsturf students, as every year students secure placements at some of the most famous sporting venues in the world. The relationship with major sporting venues and Myerscough College is a strong one. In recent times, no fewer than twelve former Myerscough students have gone on to secure jobs on the groundstaff at the All England Lawn Tennis Club alone, including Head Groundsman, Neil Stubley. Myerscough College has extended sportsturf employer links with a host of Premier League Football Clubs as well as a large number of championship and lower division teams across the country. PRESS INFORMATION The college delivers Sportsturf Groundsmanship and Greenkeeping Diplomas at Levels 2, Level 3 and Level 4 to teams at a number of sporting venues across the country, working with experienced Head Groundsmen and local college Work-Based Assessors, to deliver training that is of the highest standard. The workbased delivery model is great as time off the job is kept to a minimum. There is also the option to progress to Higher Education via our online Sportsturf Foundation Degrees. Why study sportsturf at Myerscough College? The most popular team and individual sports played outside today involve the use of turf or grass surfaces. These include golf, football, rugby, cricket, bowls and horseracing. If you are passionate about sport and would like to work outdoors, our courses offer an excellent platform to a career in sportsturf with superb employment prospects. For those already working in the industry and wanting to secure the right qualifications to develop their careers, part-time and online study options are available. There are fantastic opportunities both in the UK and overseas for people who are trained and qualified in sportsturf. Careers exist at all levels, from assistant Groundsperson’s and Greenkeepers to managers of international sports facilities such as Premiership Football Clubs and the major elite Golf Courses. Our courses will equip students with the necessary skills to build, maintain and manage quality surfaces to high specification standards. Students learn the science behind how grasses grow, as well as soils, root zones, drainage and a wide range of cultural maintenance practices. You will gain an understanding of the demands of sport and what players need or expect from turf surfaces. You will be taught how to provide these conditions all year round and in all weather conditions. Students also get the chance to operate sophisticated machinery and equipment and to develop the practical skills needed to maintain, present and repair sportsturf surfaces. Resources The Sportsturf Technology Unit is at the centre of the vast sportsturf facilities at Myerscough. This comprises: A nine-hole golf course displaying a wide range of design philosophies and construction profiles A fully automated irrigation system with a variety of sprinkler heads, controllers and fittings Turf-care management software Winter sports pitches including hard porous hockey, football, rugby and training areas Demonstration and trial plots Practice putting and chipping greens A wide range of maintenance equipment, tools & a fully equipped workshop Turfgrass research laboratory Equipment Working closely with two of the largest international suppliers of turf care machinery, Ransomes Jacobsen and Kubota, we are able to ensure that all students develop their practical competencies using the most up-to-date and sophisticated machinery on the market. PRESS INFORMATION Industrial Work Experience Students have the opportunity to undertake an optional 12 month paid work experience placement at a range of golf clubs and sports stadia in the UK, Europe and USA. Regular experience providers include Loch Lomond, The Belfry, East Sussex National Golf Links, The London Club, The K Club, Augusta National Golf Club, Oakland Hills Golf Club, Double Eagle Club, Valhalla Golf Club, and Wimbledon All England Tennis Club. Career Opportunities The sportsturf industry has seen a significant increase in demand for skilled professionals at Higher Education level. Vacancies exist in many areas such as Golf Course Management, Local Authorities, Contract Management and Consultancy. Our sportsturf graduates have gone on to a range of exciting and rewarding careers in this country and around the world including Groundsman and Greenkeeper positions at: Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Club Northern Lawn Tennis Club Kauri Cliffs Golf Club, New Zealand St Pierre Golf Club Mere Golf and Country Club Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club Royal Birkdale Golf Club Manchester City Football Club Loch Lomond Golf Club Workbased Provision We currently deliver Sportsturf and Amenity Apprenticeships and Workbased training programmes to around 1,500 students based at approximately a thousand workplaces across the country. We can also offer a FREE recruitment service to employers looking to recruit quality Apprentices in the sector. Our dedicated Employer Services team can assist with any workbased or industry – short course training requirements and assist you through every step of the process. Our innovative use of technology and blended workbased