The Kardinia Park Stadium Trust (KPST) has today announced Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions as its new turf management partner for GMHBA Stadium and surrounding landscaped areas.
Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions is the consulting arm of the South Australian stadium’s grounds team, enabling Head Curator Damian Hough and his team of experts to provide consultation and turf services to venues around the world.
Their proactive and sustainable approach to turf maintenance will ensure GMHBA Stadium continues to be expertly prepared for sport, entertainment and community events, with a comprehensive turf reconstruction planned for early 2026.
“After a highly competitive tender process, we determined that the Turf Solutions team’s world-class reputation and track record made them the right partner for GMHBA Stadium,” KPST CEO Gerard Griffin said.
“We are always working to attract more major events to GMHBA Stadium and Turf Solutions will support us as we bring additional content to the venue.
“We would also like to thank Green By Nature for their dedicated contribution to the maintenance of the field of play over the last five years.”
Since establishing Turf Solutions in late 2023, Damian and the team have worked across everything from local clubs and councils to AFL Gather Round and drop-in pitch construction for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup venue in New York. Damian returned to the USA recently as those pitches were transported from New York to San Francisco, where he oversaw their installation into the Oakland Coliseum as Major League Cricket (MLC) pitches and supported the tournament’s onsite team.
“We’ve had the privilege of working on major international events, elite sporting grounds and local community facilities, but the team are seriously excited about the potential and prestige presented by GMHBA Stadium,” Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions Head Curator Damian Hough said.
“This new partnership is a major achievement for Turf Solutions, and we are grateful to Kardinia Park for putting their trust in us.”
GMHBA Stadium is Australia’s premier regional stadium and continues to be a place for a multitude of diverse professional sporting, entertainment and community events. In the past year, the stadium has hosted 11 AFL Men’s games, a major film production, and Renegades, Matildas and AFLW matches.
The GMHBA Stadium grounds team will be led by Turf Manager Liam Kirkman, who now joins Turf Solutions. He brings six years’ experience at GMHBA Stadium to the role, ensuring continuity of local knowledge. Liam will be supported by Turf Solutions Operations Manager Jon Trendorden, with oversight from Damian who continues to work across both Adelaide Oval and the Turf Solutions division.
Turf Solutions commences onsite from this week, continuing preparations for AFLW and the upcoming BBL season.
About Kardinia Park Stadium Trust
Kardinia Park Stadium Trust (KPST) is a statutory authority which manages and promotes KPST Land in Geelong. KPST exists to inspire moments of connection and joy through sport, entertainment and community activities, with an overarching objective of contributing to the economic, community, and liveability benefits to Geelong and the broader region.
We are home to GMHBA Stadium, Geelong Sports Museum, Geelong Cricket Club and Barwon Regional Cricket Centre.
The stadium is a rare asset for a regional city and it is a source of pride for our community. We host a multitude of diverse sporting, entertainment, recreation and community events, with over 400,000 event visitors over the past year.
About Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions
Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions is Australia’s leading turf consultancy, delivering high quality workmanship across turf curation, management, construction and repair.
As the consulting arm of Adelaide Oval’s world-renowned grounds team, Turf Solutions brings an elite track record and unparalleled experience to sporting grounds, major events, clubs and community spaces across Australia and beyond. Recent work includes the successful manufacture, transport and installation of ten drop-in cricket pitches across the United States for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, as well as delivery of AFL standard surfaces for AFL Gather Round.
Through delivery of top-quality turf services, sharing world-class expertise and educating the next generation of curators, Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions hopes to raise the standard of sporting surfaces everywhere for the benefit of clubs, communities and codes.
