Technology that Improves Water Use Efficiency & Durability in Sports fields under Increasing Climate and Usage Pressure
Overview
Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA), in partnership with Syngenta Australia, will deliver an industry-focused webinar exploring how technology and innovative turf management practices can improve water use efficiency and sports field durability in an increasingly challenging operating environment.
Sports field managers and local government professionals are facing growing pressure to maintain safe, high-quality playing surfaces while responding to changing climatic conditions, water restrictions, increasing participation and more intensive field usage.
This webinar will explore practical approaches and technological solutions that can help turf managers optimise water use, improve turf performance and maintain resilient sportsfields under these competing demands.
Featuring Michael Bradbery, Technical Services Lead – Turf, Landscape & Ornamentals at Syngenta Australia, the session will combine technical expertise with practical industry experience to support informed decision-making and more sustainable sports field management.
Webinar Objectives
The webinar aims to:
- Explore the challenges facing sports field managers as climate variability and field usage increase.
- Identify technologies and management approaches that can improve water use efficiency.
- Examine opportunities to improve turf durability, resilience and playing surface performance.
- Provide practical insights that can be applied to sports field management in local government and community sporting environments.
- Support parks and open space professionals to make informed decisions about turf management practices, resource allocation and long-term field sustainability.
Key Topics
The webinar will explore the following themes:
Water Use Efficiency
- Understanding the challenges of maintaining sports fields under increasing water constraints.
- Exploring technologies and management practices that can help optimise water use.
- Identifying opportunities to improve the effectiveness of turf management and irrigation programs.
Sports field Durability and Performance
- Managing sports fields subjected to increasing training, competition and community use.
- Exploring approaches to improve turf resilience and maintain surface quality.
- Balancing playing surface performance, recovery and long-term field sustainability.
Technology and Innovation in Turf Management
- Examining the role of innovative technologies in supporting modern sports field management.
- Understanding how technical insights and practical tools can inform turf management decisions.
- Identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency and turf performance.
Responding to Climate and Usage Pressure
- Considering the implications of changing climatic conditions for sports field maintenance.
- Exploring practical strategies to manage competing demands on water, resources and playing surfaces.
- Supporting more resilient and sustainable sports field management practices.
Featured Presenter
Michael Bradbery
Technical Services Lead – Turf, Landscape & Ornamentals, Syngenta Australia
Michael Bradbery brings nearly four decades of hands-on turf management experience to his role as Technical Services Lead for Syngenta’s Turf, Landscape & Ornamentals portfolio in Australia.
Since joining Syngenta in 2018, Michael has held a range of responsibilities, initially serving as NSW/ACT Sales Manager. In this role, he supported commercial operations, contributed to digital technology projects and led the national Syngenta Spray Workshop program.
Before moving into the commercial sector, Michael developed extensive practical and operational expertise across the sports turf industry, including a distinguished tenure as Golf Course Superintendent at Manly Golf Club in Sydney.
Michael holds a Master of Agriculture (Turf Management) from the University of Sydney and an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management.
Combining advanced technical qualifications with extensive practical experience, Michael provides agronomic guidance and product stewardship to professional turf managers across Australia. His experience positions him to share valuable insights into the technologies and management approaches that can support water use efficiency and sports field durability.