Career Tasters help Young Matilda chase Brisbane 2032 dreams

Designed for Year 10 students, the fully funded program allows young Queenslanders to explore careers in the growing sports industry through practical, hands-on learning experiences.

For 15-year-old Kimberley College student Zahra Ahmed, the program is already helping broaden her understanding of the many pathways available within sport.

A talented football player with aspirations of representing Australia at the Brisbane 2032 Games, Zahra currently plays through the Queensland Academy of Sport pathway and made her debut for the Junior Matildas against Thailand in 2025.

“I definitely want to represent Australia in football at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics,” Zahra said.

Zahra joined TAFE Queensland’s Career Taster program after seeing it promoted through school and said the opportunity immediately appealed to her because of her passion for sport.

“I already play for Queensland, and I’m not really interested in anything other than sport, so when I saw it, I really wanted to do it,” she said.

While continuing to pursue her football ambitions, Zahra said the program has also opened her eyes to the many career opportunities that exist behind the scenes in professional sport.

“It’s helping me understand that if playing doesn’t work out, there are still other pathways to be involved in sport,” she said.

Through the program, Zahra has explored areas including coaching, sports technology, broadcasting, and performance support, learning more about the systems and roles that help bring major sporting events to life.

“I didn’t even know some of those jobs existed. The stuff that goes into commentating, videoing games, and the technology side behind sport has been really interesting,” she said.

Zahra said she is now considering coaching and athlete support pathways, including physiotherapy and mentoring players, alongside her playing career.

The Career Taster Brisbane 2032 program runs once a week at TAFE Queensland.

It provides students with exposure to areas such as coaching, athlete development, e-sports, and sports broadcasting, while helping them build confidence in an adult learning environment.

“TAFE Queensland is so different to school in a good way. The teachers are supportive and help you understand the different pathways and the professional experiences they’ve had themselves,” Zahra said.

As Brisbane 2032 approaches, students like Zahra are gaining valuable insight into the opportunities the Games will create - both on and off the field - as they take their first steps towards future careers in sport.