From classroom to career: TAFE Queensland students secure graduate roles with Parramatta Eels

Caitlin Christie and Riley Fahey have become the first students from the Eels Institute to secure employment through the club's dedicated graduate program, marking an exciting milestone for the education partnership between TAFE Queensland and the Parramatta Eels.

Established to provide aspiring sports professionals with nationally recognised qualifications and practical experience inside an NRL club, the Eels Institute combines vocational education with meaningful industry engagement and employment opportunities.

As part of the partnership, the Parramatta Eels provide a pathway for high-achieving students to compete for graduate positions, with a minimum of two 12-month, full-time contracts offered each academic year.

TAFE Queensland's Academy of Sport Manager Don Harley said the appointments demonstrated the importance of creating education programs that deliver genuine employment outcomes.

"This is exactly what we want our Academy of Sport partnerships to achieve. It's one thing to provide students with a qualification and some exposure to the sporting industry, but it's another thing entirely to see them walk straight into full-time employment with one of Australia's leading professional sporting clubs," Mr Harley said.

"We've always been very deliberate about building partnerships that go beyond the classroom. Our role is to connect education with industry, and Caitlin and Riley are terrific examples of what can happen when those two things come together."

Caitlin will commence her new role as Game Day & Events Coordinator with the Parramatta Eels in January 2027, following a successful 12-week internship with the club's Game Day & Events team.

Throughout her studies, Caitlin also completed more than 85 hours of work experience across the organisation, developing practical skills in event delivery, match-day operations and the coordination of major sporting events.

Her appointment will see her transition from supporting the club's event operations as a student to becoming a full-time member of the team.

Fellow student Riley Fahey has already commenced his position as a Consumer Sales Executive with the Parramatta Eels, initially working part-time while completing his final term of study before transitioning to full-time employment in January 2027.

Riley completed a 12-week internship with the club's Consumer and Membership team, alongside more than 70 hours of additional work experience across the organisation.

The experience provided him with valuable insights into the commercial operations of a professional sporting club, including membership, customer engagement and the business activities that support an NRL organisation.

Parramatta Eels Education Program Manager Kirstene Ciappara said watching the students develop throughout the year and secure employment within the club had been particularly rewarding.

"To see Caitlin and Riley start the year as students and finish it as employees of the Parramatta Eels is incredibly special. We've watched them grow in confidence, build their skills and become valued contributors to the teams they've been working alongside," Ms Ciappara said.

"What makes the Eels Institute different is that our students aren't just learning about the sporting industry from a classroom. They're actively contributing to the club, working with our staff and experiencing what it's really like to be part of a professional sporting organisation."

"For Caitlin and Riley, those experiences have now turned into careers, and we couldn't be prouder of what they've achieved."

The graduate appointments represent another milestone for TAFE Queensland's Academy of Sport, which works with professional sporting organisations across Australia to create industry-connected education and career pathways.

Through partnerships across the AFL, NRL, cricket and basketball, the Academy of Sport provides students with opportunities to combine nationally recognised qualifications with practical experience, industry projects and exposure to professional sporting environments.

Mr Harley said the Parramatta Eels' commitment to creating dedicated graduate positions was a strong example of how sporting organisations could play a meaningful role in developing the industry's future workforce.

"Professional sport is a significant industry, and there are so many career opportunities beyond what happens on the field. Clubs need talented people working across commercial operations, events, marketing, leadership, community engagement and sport development," Mr Harley said.

"What I particularly like about the Eels model is that the club has made a genuine commitment to developing its own future workforce. Students are given the opportunity to learn, demonstrate their capabilities and build relationships within the organisation, with a clear employment pathway at the end of their studies."

"For Caitlin and Riley, that's now become a reality. It's a fantastic outcome for them, for the Parramatta Eels and for TAFE Queensland."

With the Eels Institute preparing to welcome its next cohort across three possible student streams in January 2027, prospective students can explore a range of dual diploma programs combining their choice of a Diploma of Sport (SIS50321), Diploma of Leadership and Manager (BSB50420) and/or Diploma of Project Management (BSB50820) qualifications.

Delivered through TAFE Queensland's Academy of Sport, the courses provide students with access to industry professionals the guest speaking sessions with senior Eels staff, up to 100 hours of practical work experience across the Eels’ business and opportunities to develop the skills required for careers in sport and business.

Students interested in studying at the Eels Institute in 2027 are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session to learn more about the available qualifications, industry experiences and potential career pathways.