Leading the Way: Malcolm Watts Inspires Dual Diploma Students at TAFE Queensland

Malcolm Watts, CEO of the Brisbane Bullets and former commercial director at the Queensland Reds, addressed the dual diploma cohort during an exclusive session on leadership, sport, and industry insight.

With a career marked by innovative commercial strategies and high-performance initiatives, Malcolm brought real-world credibility to the classroom. Reflecting on his experiences, he shared:

“We’re Brisbane’s team. Our front office is firing. We’ve moved back to the Entertainment Centre; we're making that home again. We’ve got a high-performance centre in the heart of the city, and our brand presence is increasing day by day. We are now looking for our next generation of coaches and leaders”.  

He added that the alliance between Bullets and TAFE Queensland has created genuine pathways into the sports industry:

“Whether at the school level or through our diploma programs, this initiative offers students valuable industry insights and hands-on training - equipping them for success in today’s highly competitive sports sector.”

Malcolm emphasised the importance of leadership and cultural development in sports organisations. Speaking about the new Bullets high-performance centre, he reflected:

“For the Brisbane Bullets to finally have a home that is fit for purpose at South Bank will be a game changer and provides a significant platform for the club to perform on and off the court.”

His message to students was clear: strong leadership, clear vision, and adaptability are essential traits for anyone aspiring to succeed in the sports industry.

In his response, Don Harley, Manager of TAFE Queensland’s Academy of Sport, expanded on the program’s mission. Don emphasised the value of practical experience combined with academic learning:

“Students across our programs 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.”

He further highlighted the end goal:

“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 sporting industry.”

Don named leadership at every level a core outcome:

“It’s about how good leadership creates cultures that allow sport to thrive at every level - from grassroots clubs to elite competitions.”

The Bullets TAFE At School program sees students leave school one day per week during ordinary school scheduling to attend a partner venue to study towards a Certificate II and Certificate III in Sport Coaching (SIS20321/SIS30521). Students earn valuable QCE credits as a result, whilst also learning from industry expert guest presenters from Bullets.

For those out of school, the Bullets dual diploma program is delivered two days per week out of the Bullets High Performance Facility at South Bank, immersed amongst the players, coaches and administrators. Students study towards a completely Bullets-contextualised dual Diploma of Sport (SIS50321) and Leadership & Management (BSB50420) whilst engaging in up to 100 hours of work integrated learning across different areas of the business.

As Don Harley puts it, achieving sporting excellence begins with preparing the next generation of coaches, administrators, and managers who can lead with skill, empathy, and vision.

Attendee feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many citing Malcolm’s career insights and Don's strategic outlook as game-changers. One student remarked that hearing from industry leaders has given them the confidence to aim high.

If you're a prospective student passionate about sport, leadership, and making an impact - this may be your launchpad.

Applications for Semester 1, 2026 dual diploma courses are now up. For more information, click here

For TAFE At School applications and details at Bullets locations at South Bank, Zillmere and Logan click here.