TasTAFE learners at the Tasmania Academy of Leadership and Sport are kick-starting their careers

In October 2024, TasTAFE partnered with 4 elite Tasmanian sporting organisations to launch the Tasmania Academy of Leadership and Sport (TALS).

The Academy’s new 12-month program is embedded in the sports industry, working alongside the Tasmania Devils (AFL football), Tasmania JackJumpers (NBL basketball), Hobart Hurricanes (Big Bash League cricket) and Netball Tasmania – helping Tasmanians kick-start their careers in sports management, coaching and leadership.

The dual-diploma course – combining a Diploma of Sport (SIS50321) and Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB50420) – also dives into sporting events, marketing, school clinics, administration, fitness and wellness, and includes 100 hours of hands-on work placement with either the Devils, JackJumpers, Hurricanes or Netball Tasmania.

The first intake of learners began their training in February 2025. Some are recent school-leavers; some are already working in the sports sector; and some are making the transition from other industries.

Cameron Blizzard grew up in Tasmania but has been working on the mainland in the travel and beverages industries for some years. Now he’s back on the island and is getting-in on the ground level at TALS.

“What attracted me to the Academy is where Tasmania is going as a state: I think we’re growing into a huge powerhouse of sport. Being passionate sportsman myself, it just made a lot of sense for me to move into the sports side of things,” Cameron said.

Grace Wells arrived at the Academy straight from school – completing her swimming teacher qualifications and winning a gold medal at the U-19 Underwater Hockey World Championships in Malaysia along the way.

“I was looking at going to Uni, but there wasn’t really anything that was jumping out at me,” Grace said. “So I was going to take a gap year, but then this opportunity came up: it was the perfect thing for me. I love my sports, and this is such a cool opportunity to get started in the industry.”

Both Grace and Cameron are benefiting from the Academy’s flexible classroom days, approachable teachers and easy-to-use online learning platform – and the inspiring learning environment of Ninja Stadium on Hobart’s eastern shore.

“Having our own facility inside the stadium and working with the teams that are already on-site – it's just unbelievable coming here every week,” Cameron said.

Big-name guest speakers have been another highlight, including Grant O'Brien, Tasmania Devils Board Chair; Scott Roth, Tasmania JackJumpers Head Coach; Kath McCann, Devils General Manager of Marketing, Public Affairs and Social Impact; Brendon Gale, Devils CEO; and former Australia Kookaburras hockey captain and 5-time Olympian Eddie Ockenden.

Ockenden, a proud Tasmanian, debuted for Australia at 18 and went on to play 451 games for the Kookaburras. In a wide-ranging conversation with the TALS learners, he shared the ups and downs of his 19-year career, covering everything from motivation, mindfulness and goal-setting to team dynamics, injuries, international travel and media relations.

“Looking back, I think I had a major advantage growing up and training in Tasmania,” Ockenden said. “The sense of community here, and just the freedom to ‘play’ set me up really well.”

As our Academy learners gain their qualifications and launch their sports leadership careers, we hope they feel the same way.

“I think in 5- to 10-years’ time, a lot of the people in this Academy class will have fantastic roles,” Cameron said. “That’s the goal.”

The Tasmania Academy of Leadership and Sport will expand into the north and north-west of Tasmania in 2026.

Interested? Visit the TALS website for more information.