Frankston’s Successful Bid: The Unexpected Link to the FIFA World Cup

### Sally Benwell, Turf Manager Extraordinaire

#### July 24, 2023

We take our turf seriously in Frankston, and nobody more so than Sally Benwell, the woman responsible for overseeing the management of all Council’s sports turf facilities. And now, Sally has been selected as one of the top three female turf managers in the state to ensure that AAMI Park is in pristine condition for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup. With over 20 years’ experience in the industry, Sally is well-equipped to handle this prestigious opportunity.

When Sally received a surprise call inviting her to join the world cup turf management team, she didn’t fully grasp the significance of the opportunity and asked them to email her. But upon reading the email, she quickly realized the incredible opportunity that lay before her. Sally is thrilled and honored to be seconded into this role for nine days, starting on July 29th.

As an avid golfer and horse rider, soccer is not Sally’s forte. Nevertheless, she recognizes the importance and significance of this once-in-a-lifetime chance. John Deere, Brandt, and AAMI Park are covering all her accommodations and meals, and the Council is fully supportive of her secondment. During her time with the World Cup, Sally will be working on both match and non-match days to ensure that the turf meets FIFA standards. This includes tasks such as backfilling scuff marks at halftime, repairing any damage, moving goals, line marking, brooming the pitch, and more.

AAMI Park boasts a Hybrid grass surface, which consists of 95% natural grass and 5% artificial grass. This combination enhances the stability and durability of the natural grass, providing up to three times more playing hours. Sally is excited to work on this unique surface and see how it performs during the matches.

Sally’s first match will be Australia versus Canada on July 31st, and she admits to being slightly nervous about working in front of such a large crowd. Turf managers are accustomed to working when there is nobody around, meticulously preparing the grounds during the week and repairing them after events. Being amidst the massive crowds during halftime will be a new experience for Sally.

On match days, Sally will be working eight-hour shifts starting at 6 pm, making for long days and nights. Although women represent a minority of turf managers in Australia, Sally has never felt treated differently because of her gender. She emphasizes that she wouldn’t be the successful turf manager she is today without the guidance and support of the wonderful men she has worked with throughout her career.

Sally’s advice to others in the industry is simple: believe in yourself, work hard, and seize opportunities when they arise. This counsel extends not only to turf managers like herself but also to the inspiring Matildas as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup.

For more information, please visit the [Frankston City Council](https://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/) website.