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Sports Turf Courses
Whether you are a seasoned turf professional or a volunteer, the Sports Turf Academy is the centre to raise your knowledge and skills in turf maintenance and management. From short training courses, to apprenticeships, higher education; here we have the resources to help all levels explore new areas of knowledge and skills. Full terms and conditions on STA courses.
Training and education sports turf courses include:
- Sports turf maintenance at all levels from basic introduction to degree level
- Short courses e.g. irrigation, turfgrass nutrition, management and coaching skills
- Machinery maintenance and set-up
- Masterclasses (industry expert talks)
- Sports turf construction
- Integrated management of weeds, pests and diseases
The Sports Turf Academy provides the opportunity to not only train at a world-class venue, but learning with us provides access to the latest in Sports Turf technology, access to leading industry professionals and provides all of our students the opportunity to be part of an unrivalled learning experience.
Sports Turf Academy upcoming courses
Irrigation Technician Courses (Part One) - Various dates
Overview
The course is aimed at sports turf, ground staff, greenkeeping and lawn care professionals seeking to develop automatic irrigation system skills and knowledge in the fundamentals of installation, fault finding and set-up.
The course will be delivered by experienced turfgrass irrigation experts at LCFC Sports Turf Academy. The course includes learning about: the purpose and efficient use of irrigation, water sources, components, winterisation, pressurising the system, safe operation, fault finding and how to set-up sprinklers; and repair cables, joints and pipework.
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements, however, it is strongly recommended that learners have prior experience in the basic use of automatic irrigation systems.
Duration
Duration is 12 hours over two days, including two hours for the assessment.
Cost - £635 + VAT
Apply:
Advanced Irrigation Technician (Part Two) - Various dates
Overview
This full-day course will be led by Irrigation Technical Expert Matt Gilks and aims to build upon the knowledge covered in the Irrigation Technician Course (Part 1). Although prior completion of the Irrigation Technician (Part One) course is not a requirement for attendance, previous experience of using an automatic irrigation system is advised. This course is a one-day Sports Turf Academy certificated course and will provide high-quality education, with a hands-on focus on advanced training in fault finding and irrigation electrics.
At the end of the course you will understand:
- Basics of hydraulics
- Irrigation design and specification
- Electrical terminology for irrigation
- Decoder technology valves including solenoids
- Cable Layout
- Assembling pipework & sprinklers
- Cable jointing and install
- Evaluating the cable network & identifying faults
Cost - £295.00 + VAT
Apply:
Advanced Cylinder Mower Set Up & Sharpening Course - 15 & 16 September, 2026
Overview
This Lantra approved qualification is aimed at sports turf, ground staff, greenkeeping and lawn care professionals seeking to develop their skills and knowledge in professional mowing machinery set-up and basic skills in fault finding problems.
The course will be delivered in conjunction with mowing machinery expert Neil Hullah from Cut Sharp at LCFC Sports Turf Academy, Seagrave, Leicestershire.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand principles of working safely while, grinding, mowing and conducting mechanical works
- Understand the importance of the correct bottom blade selection for the ‘actual’ height of cut (HOC)
- Understand and set up angles/shear point position. Understand clip rate relevant to actual HOC
- Prepare mowing equipment for grinding of cutting blades
- Operate grinding equipment safely
- Prepare mowers for cutting to a high standard
- Understand a range of agronomical benefits of correct mower set-up
- Investigate mowing faults and rectify
Learner Demographics
This new two-day course is designed for sports turf operatives, greenkeepers and grounds care mechanics.
Entry Requirements
There are no entry requirements, however, it is recommended that learners have some prior experience in the basic use of grounds care and mowing equipment. The duration is 12 hours over two days, 9am-4pm.
Cost - £285.00 + VAT
BASIS Certificate In Crop Protection Amenity Horticulture (Amenity Grass & Sports Turf Area) - Various dates
Overview
This course provides training and certification for sellers of agrochemicals and those giving advice on their use in amenity. It is a valuable qualification for all those involved in the use of plant protection products in turf.
It has been approved by Ministers to meet the requirements of schedule two of the Control of Pesticide Regulations for certification of those involved in the sale, advice and supply of pesticides.
This course is aimed at those involved in advising, sales or supply of pesticides in the amenity industry.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Contractors who sell or give advice
- Distributors who sell or give advice
- Pesticide manufacturers and suppliers
- Consultants, agents, managers, specifiers and local authority managers who are involved in pesticide sales or advice
Entry Requirements
Candidates must have had satisfactory training and supervised field experience before entering for the BASIS examination. If in doubt as to this requirement, please contact the BASIS office.
Duration will be 10 days between October to December at six hours per day for the complete award:
- Wed 14 October, 2026 - Legislation, transport, storage
- Thu 15 October, 2026 - Pesticide formulations, modes of action
- Wed 21 October, 2026 - Turf grass and biodiversity
- Thu 22 October, 2026 - Principles and practices of weed control
- Wed 28 October, 2026 - Principles and practices of disease control
- Thu 29 October, 2026 - Revision
- Wed 4 November, 2026 - Revision and mock exams
- Wed 5 November, 2026 - Identification exam and mock viva
- Wed 18 November, 2026 - Multiple choice and site specific scenarios (online)
- Thu 19 November, 2026 - Exam (in field viva and viva panel)
Cost - £2,450 + VAT (including meals and refreshments)
BASIS FACTS Turf (Golf & Sports Turf) - Various dates
Overview
This course is an independent, non-statutory certification scheme for turf professionals development of plant nutrient management technical knowledge in turf.
Most people who take an interest in sports turf, both in its management and production, appreciate that if soil fertility is to be maintained then the nutrients taken off during mowing or lost to air or water must be replaced.
However, many of these people are also concerned about the actual or potential environmental damage that these losses can cause and they look to those involved to do what they can to minimise them.
This is one of the main pressures to which those advising greenkeepers and sports turf operatives on fertiliser use must respond and which was behind the establishment of the FACTS scheme.
Please note, this course focuses on cool-season turfgrasses and nutrient inputs. It is not designed or an advisable course for those solely managing warm-season turfgrasses. If you are travelling from outside of the UK, then it is advisable to contact sta@lcfc.co.uk before applying for the course.
Course contents
- The soil or playing surface in relation to turfgrass nutrition
- Nature and properties of fertilisers and liming materials
- Plant nutrients and the basis of choice of fertilisers for the main turfgrass utilisation
- The transport, storage, handling and application of fertilisers
- Codes of good practice and legal and other Environmental Protection Measures
Recommended entry requirements
It is strongly recommended that candidates should have at least two years of practical experience in turfgrass and/or at least a Level 2 in sports turf/greenkeeping or equivalent.
- Online exam (multiple choice)
- Online viva voca
Duration will be five days including online exams.
In-person training dates at Sports Turf Academy:
- Wednesday 3 June & Thursday 4 June, 2026
- Tuesday 23 June & Wednesday 24 June, 2026
- Tuesday 30 June, 2026
Online exam (seven days following training):
- Wednesday 1 July & Thursday 2 July, 2026
Apply before 30 April, 2026.
Cost - £2,200 + VAT (including meals and refreshments)
EARLY BIRD OFFER (JUNE DATES ONLY)
Book by 30 March, 2026 and pay £1650 +VAT
In-person training dates at Sports Turf Academy:
- Wednesday 25 November & Thursday 26 November, 2026
- Tuesday 1 December & Wednesday 2 December, 2026
- Tuesday 8 December, 2026
Online exam (seven days following training):
- Tuesday 15 December & Wednesday 16 December, 2026
Apply before 1 October, 2026.
Cost - £2,200 + VAT (including meals and refreshments)
BASIS Foundation Award (Amenity Horticulture) - Various dates
Overview
This course provides training and certification for sellers of agrochemicals and those giving advice on their use in amenity. It is valuable qualification for all those involved in the use of plant protection products in turf.
A large number of people in Amenity Horticulture have a need to understand more about pesticides, how they work and why they are needed. However their main employment activity may not involve selling, advising, applying or storing pesticides.
This course is designed for such people and it may also be an introduction for those who wish to go forward to the next level of qualification (FSTS).
Course contents
The Foundation Award in Amenity covers all three components:
- Hard Surfaces
- Turf
- Shrubs & Borders
The course includes a short examination at the end of three days of tuition. Those candidates who achieve the pass level will receive written recognition from BASIS of their achievement, but this course does not result in a BASIS certificate of competence. This is to avoid any confusion with the statutory qualification (full BASIS FSTS course).
Recommended entry requirements
Where possible it is recommended that candidates should be familiar with a suitable site relative to the module studied on the course, to provide some practical background knowledge. If in doubt as to this requirement, please contact the BASIS office.
Duration will be four days, eight hours per day for the complete award.
- Tuesday 29 & Wednesday 30 September, 2026
- Thursday 1 & Friday 2 October, 2026 (online exam)
Cost - £1,210 + VAT (including meals and refreshments)
Terms & Conditions
