Queensland Cricket partnership delivering future coaches and leaders

To elevate the educational experience, Certificate II in Sport Coaching (SIS20321) students recently took part in practical coaching sessions at Ascot State School, working with young athletes under the expert guidance of Leading Vocational Teacher Andrew Pilgrim.

These sessions allowed students to apply the skills and knowledge developed in the classroom, turning theory into confident, real-world practice in a live school sporting environment.

Pilgrim was full of praise for the students' early efforts:

“The feedback from the teachers at Ascot was very positive. I don’t think I have ever been more impressed with a group of students doing their first session as I was last Friday.”

The partnership is vital in developing the next generation of community sport leaders.

As cricket participation continues to grow across Queensland, from grassroots to elite pathways, the need for qualified, passionate young coaches has never been greater.

By introducing students to coaching early, the program fosters essential skills such as leadership, communication, planning, and mentorship - capabilities that are critical to both the sporting sector and broader career success.

Further enhancing the student experience, Queensland Cricket players have attended many of the Friday sessions, engaging with the students and sharing insights from their professional sporting journeys.

Their involvement added an inspirational dimension, offering students a direct connection to the sport’s elite level and reinforcing the pathways available to those who are passionate about pursuing a future in sport.

Queensland Cricket Head of Commercial, Trent van Hout, said of the program:

“Our staff and players have valued the opportunity to engage with the Queensland Cricket TAFE at School students. They’ve taken great pride in sharing their experiences with the high school students who are now beginning to build their own pathways toward a career in sport.”

Both TAFE Queensland and Queensland Cricket were thrilled with the success of the inaugural cohort of TAFE At School students, with the program proving immensely popular.

All 30 starting places were filled almost immediately, prompting the introduction of a waiting list to manage the overwhelming demand.

Planning is underway to expand the number of available places for future intakes, with current students set to progress into the Certificate III in Sport – Athlete (SIS30421) as they enter their second year of study.

Importantly, the partnership also opens formal pathways for students beyond the Certificate II.

Those who complete the course are encouraged to consider further study through the dual Diploma of Sport / Diploma of Leadership and Management (SIS50321/BSB50420) - a program delivered jointly by TAFE Queensland and Queensland Cricket.

This dual diploma equips students with advanced skills in coaching, athlete development, business operations, and leadership, setting them up for success in various careers within the sports industry.

Together, TAFE Queensland and Queensland Cricket are building technical coaching capabilities and helping shape the future workforce of Australian sport, one committed and inspired young leader at a time.

To learn more about the TAFE at School partnership or the dual diploma program with Queensland Cricket, visit the TAFE Queensland Academy of Sport website. With high demand, places are expected to fill quickly before the next intake in early 2026.