Mike Kennedy brings wellbeing management experience to TAFE Queensland

As course educator for the Certificate IV in Elite Athlete Wellbeing Management (11096NAT), Mike will guide students through Australia’s first nationally recognised training program focused on supporting the wellbeing of athletes, teams and sporting communities.

While developed from elite sport principles, the qualification is increasingly attracting a broad range of participants, including coaches, teachers, sport administrators, parents of developing athletes, player welfare staff and those working across community or pathway sport.

Mike brings a unique blend of lived experience and academic capability to the role.

“I’ve always been passionate about helping people maximise their whole-person potential, and wellbeing principles are the foundations of that process," Mike explained.

“Whether someone is coaching a junior team, teaching at a school, supporting their child through sport, or working in a professional environment, we all feel the reality that wellbeing matters to function well on an individual and organisational level.”

A former professional rugby player with Munster in Ireland, Mike has spent more than a decade coaching across school and pathway rugby programs, while also building an impressive career in wellbeing education and support.

He holds an Honours degree in Psychology from Monash University. He is also a graduate of the Certificate IV in Elite Athlete Wellbeing Management, giving him first-hand insight into the course and its practical outcomes. Additionally, Mike has recently begun a PhD looking at the impact of social systems on wellbeing.

“I understand the student journey because I’ve completed the program myself, and alongside other study in psychology have seen how practically applicable to Cert IV is” he said.

“That helps me teach the content in a practical way and support students to apply it in their own sporting environments.”

Mike is the founder of WMP Coaching, where he designs and delivers wellbeing and mental health programs across both community and high-performance sport.

His experience includes working with NSW Rugby Schools, NPL 1 Football, Australian Rugby pathway athletes and supporting Indigenous students in Sydney schools through Yalari.

He has also worked with leading sporting organisations through the Wellbeing Science Institute, including the Manly Sea Eagles and other NRL bodies.

“My favourite part of the role is seeing people rethink wellbeing and learn how to apply wellbeing principles in their own lives and with the people they care about” Mike said.

“When students can take what they learn and make a genuine difference to athletes, coaches, schools or clubs, that’s where the impact really happens.”

Through TAFE Queensland’s Academy of Sport, students will develop the skills to support wellbeing across physical, mental, cultural, social and career domains. These skills can be applied in professional sport, schools, community clubs, academies and family support environments.

The course is designed for those working in sport, coaching, education, athlete development or wellbeing roles who want to strengthen their capability and contribute to healthier sporting environments.

“Everyone knows that wellbeing and performance go hand in hand, and the big question in the space is often around the process of how to do that well,” Mike said.

“This course transfers key skills and capabilities on three levels to drive an effective wellbeing strategy. Understanding wellbeing on an individual level, professional level, and organisational level.”

In today’s sporting landscape, wellbeing is no longer viewed as an optional support service but as a critical pillar of sustainable success. Athletes, coaches, teachers, volunteers and families all face increasing pressures, creating a growing demand for people who can proactively support wellbeing, resilience and healthy transitions.

TAFE Queensland Academy of Sport Education Manager Nathan Gill said the qualification was responding to a clear need across all levels of sport.

“Strong wellbeing practices are just as important in schools and community clubs as they are in elite programs,” Nathan said.

“This course provides students with practical tools to support people through pressure, transition and growth, while helping sporting organisations build stronger and healthier environments.”

Widely utilised by wellbeing practitioners across the National Rugby League and Australian Football League competitions, the Certificate IV equips participants to develop a customised wellbeing toolkit that can be used across elite sport, grassroots clubs, schools and broader community settings.