Don drives Academy of Sport ahead of Brisbane 2032

A qualified lawyer with leadership experience in the Australian Football League (AFL) across Western Australia and Victoria, Don is passionate about developing athletic talent and expanding the Academy of Sports through partnerships with high schools and premier sporting clubs.

“I’ve been responsible for implementing a strategic growth platform to expand AFL participation in my previous roles, focusing on community engagement, operations, and participant retention,” Mr Harley shared.

“Now, as the Manager of TAFE Queensland's Academy of Sport, I’ll oversee partnerships with leading sporting organisations like the Brisbane Broncos, Brisbane Bullets, Queensland Cricket, and Brisbane Lions.”

“Together, we will provide immersive education and training for individuals pursuing sports careers,” he explained.

The Academy of Sport offers two streams: one for high school students through TAFE Queensland’s TAFE at School program and another for full-time diploma and dual diploma students.

High school students can undertake qualifications like the Certificate II and III in Sports Coaching (SIS20321/SIS30521) and the Certificate III in Sport–Athlete (SIS30421).

TAFE at School students can earn up to eight Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) points or boost their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) while building valuable professional networks.

Full-time students can enrol in the Diploma of Sport (SIS50321) or the Dual Diplomas in Sport and Leadership Management (BSB50420/SIS50321).

A core element of the program is hands-on, immersive learning that sees students embedded with the Academy’s industry partners.

This offers students a dynamic learning environment, providing them access to specialised facilities, professional athletes, and industry experts as they learn how to become high-performance coaches or sports managers.

“Students learn at our partners' professional facilities, giving them insights into what it takes to pursue a career in the sports industry from sports industry professionals,” Don explained.

“When combined with TAFE Queensland’s hands-on training with theoretical learning, the Academy of Sport ensures graduates are job-ready with real-world skills, knowledge and experience for a career in the industry.”

Launched in 2022, the Academy prepares athletes and administrators for careers in the sports industry through strategic partnerships with clubs and state sporting bodies.

“Our vision is to inspire sporting excellence by training the next generation of sporting coaches, administrators, development officers and managers,” Mr Harley said.

As a key TAFE Queensland’s Olympics committee member, Don is also involved in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games lead-up.

“Queensland is a sports-loving state, and this passion will be fully displayed during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

The Olympics allow TAFE Queensland to encourage and support even more Queenslanders to reach their greatness.” 

“The Academy of Sport supports future athletes, coaches, and administrators in their journey, producing more sports professionals to inspire future generations in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” concluded Mr Harley.

A critical TAFE Queensland partnership that will help achieve this goal is our partnership with the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS).

QAS is the Queensland Government’s high-performance sports agency responsible for preparing Queensland elite athletes, teams and coaches for world-class success.

It supports more than 750 athletes on their elite sporting journey, from talented juniors to Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship medallists.

Queensland businesses provide QAS-supported elite athletes with flexible, paid employment through its Dream Twice Athlete Employment Program.

Brent Kinnane, TAFE Queensland General Manager, Brisbane, said the state's largest training provider offers elite athletes training and employment pathways through its Academy of Sport program.

“The Brisbane 2032 Games will boost our economy, create opportunities, and bring millions of customers to our doorstep,” Mr Kinnane said.

“We’ll collaborate with partners to use the Olympics as a launch pad for industry growth.”

Mr Kinnane added that TAFE Queensland aims to create a lasting legacy through the Dream Twice program, offering former Olympians the opportunity to repurpose their skills into teaching, enriching student learning and enhancing graduate outcomes.

By aligning training with industry needs in the lead-up to and following on from the most significant sporting event in our state’s history, TAFE Queensland’s Academy of Sport will ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals ready for success inside and outside the sporting arena.