When a love of AFL becomes a Brisbane Lions career

Before enrolling in the dual Diploma of Sport and Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB50420/SIS50321) program through the Brisbane Lions Institute of Business and Sport, Hunter was working casually as a Game Development Officer with AFL Queensland.

After a lifetime in AFL, the chance to learn inside a professional sporting organisation was an opportunity he could not pass up.

“I have always loved AFL and have been involved in footy most of my life,” he said.

“As soon as I saw the course on social media, I thought it was a great opportunity to develop my skills, grow my knowledge and gain experience in the sports industry.”

Based at the Lions’ world-class facility, Brighton Homes Arena, he began putting that ambition and his learning into practice from day one.

The program combined classroom learning with direct access to industry leaders, helping Hunter build the practical skills to lead people, strengthen relationships and work effectively in sport.

He also completed 100 hours of work experience with the Lions and across the wider AFL industry, applying his skills while building valuable professional networks.

The course's coaching units proved especially valuable, strengthening Hunter’s coaching, teaching and communication skills while preparing him to work confidently with participants and stakeholders.

Coaching at a primary school put those skills to the test, challenging him to adapt to different groups, environments and the unexpected.

“Those units proved to be extremely beneficial in helping my coaching and teaching skills,” he said.

“They also helped me improve my communication when it comes to participants and other key stakeholders.”

The Academy of Sport also opened the door to valuable connections across the professional sporting industry.

Studying at the Lions headquarters brought him into regular contact with Brisbane Lions staff and players, while industry guest speakers revealed the breadth of careers powering elite sport behind the scenes.

“Being on site at Brighton Homes Arena played a major role in helping me build connections as I regularly interacted with Lions staff and players,” he said.

“Hearing from a wide range of guest speakers was extremely beneficial in hearing what industry professionals do in their day-to-day roles.”

Those industry connections were matched by extraordinary access. For a lifelong AFL fan, learning inside the club offered a rare glimpse of how ambition could become a career.

“The thing that shocked me the most was the amount of access we had to the business and the staff. The opportunities that we were exposed to truly blew my mind,” he said.

A standout moment came when he stepped onto the field to help unfurl the Brisbane Lions’ back-to-back premiership banner.

“I never thought that I would be on the field holding up the Lions Banner to unfurl the Back-to-Back Premierships,” he said.

“My 12 months studying at the Lions was honestly one of the best experiences of my life.”

Equally important was the support of TAFE Queensland teacher Martin Moolman, who created a space where students felt empowered to learn, grow and be themselves.

“I thought that the program would not be the same if we didn’t have Martin Moolman as our teacher,” he said.

“His ability to create a fun, engaging environment where we all felt comfortable to be ourselves and learn to the best of our abilities was incredible.”

That combination of practical experience, industry access and personal support has now launched Hunter into his role as Student Experience Coordinator at the Brisbane Lions.

He now manages student work experience opportunities, supports recruitment and helps shape future student cohorts.

Most rewarding of all, he can draw on his own journey to create an even stronger experience for the next generation.

“My favourite part of the role is being able to use my experience as a student to help improve current and future students’ experience at the Brisbane Lions,” he said.

He says the TAFE Queensland program gave him the confidence, capability and industry insight to step into the role.

“I definitely wouldn’t be in the position I am today without the experience I had with TAFE and the Dual Diploma.”

Stepping from student into industry has also reshaped his view of what it takes to build a future in sport.

For him, professional sport is not reserved for those who follow a single pathway.

“Obviously, there are jobs that do require a degree or certain level of experience, but there are so many jobs that just require you to have an open mind and a willingness to learn and get better,” he said.

Getting a foot in the door, building practical skills and becoming part of a sporting organisation’s culture have proved just as powerful as formal qualifications.

“The Brisbane Lions is all about good people and being able to buy into a great culture and upholding the values of the club,” he said.

“As a student, we were told all about this, so the course feeds right into working in sport if the opportunity presents itself.”

That open mindset has become essential behind the scenes, where the pace and unpredictability of elite sport deliver lessons no classroom alone can replicate.

In a fast-moving and unpredictable industry, adaptability is not just valuable - it is essential.

“Working in sport is extremely fast-paced and at times unpredictable. Being able to change plans last minute and go with the flow is super important to not getting overwhelmed,” he said.

That constant change is also what makes a career in sport so energising and rewarding.

“It is super exciting, and it always provides excitement. No two days are the same.”

Together, those experiences have opened the door to the industry he loves, equipping him with the networks, confidence and real-world capability to keep moving forward.

“I graduated from the course with some lifelong friends, as well as some once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I will never forget,” he said.

Now, Hunter is focused on growing within the game he loves, with ambitions to one day join the football department and work more closely with the Brisbane Lions’ men’s and women’s programs.

For now, every day is another chance to learn, contribute and take the next step.

“The sky is the limit, and I don’t necessarily have a dream job. However, I love AFL and being involved in a professional sport organisation and look forward to what the future holds.”

His time at the Academy of Sport has already delivered moments beyond anything he imagined - including watching the Brisbane Lions claim their third consecutive premiership.

Looking ahead, he sees enormous opportunity for both his own career and Queensland’s rapidly evolving sporting industry.

“I am super grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this program and look forward to seeing how education and sport continue to grow,” he said.

“It’s an exciting time to be involved in sport in Queensland, especially with the Olympics beginning to ramp up,” concluded Hunter.