A Winning Start at the AFL
Carla Gardiner had no idea what was coming when her supervisor told her they had a quick admin meeting down at the AFL House café.
I didn’t suspect a thing. Then I saw the AFL SportsReady marketing team sitting there and Riley turned to look at me for my reaction. I was completely shocked!
That surprise meeting turned into a moment Carla will never forget, as she was announced AFL SportReady’s 2025 National Trainee of the Year for Impact and Excellence. An award that recognises the incredible contribution she made throughout her traineeship as a Commercial Partnerships Trainee at the AFL.
Since completing her traineeship, Carla has stepped into a permanent role as a Partnerships Coordinator at the AFL, a reflection of both her hard work and the strong impression she made on those around her.
Breaking into the professional sports industry is no small feat.
It’s a hard industry to get into! But I came across the traineeship opportunity at AFL House and my colleagues at St Kilda Football Club encouraged me to go for it. That was the push I needed.
Starting out at 19, Carla embraced the opportunity with energy and maturity beyond her years.
It was daunting walking into such a big organisation, but I had so much support from my family, the AFL SportsReady team, especially my Employment Coach Michael. He was there every step of the way.
Carla credits Michael Caruso, her AFL SportsReady Employment Coach, as a constant presence throughout the highs and lows.
He was always checking in, helping with my workload, even responding after hours if I needed advice.
Nothing was ever too much.
It made a huge difference having someone like him backing me.
Her supervisor, Riley Brettell (pictured above), also played a major role in Carla’s journey.
From day one, Riley and Mick made the experience such a breeze. I knew I had to prove myself, but their guidance made it all feel possible.
And prove herself she did.
Carla helped deliver major commercial and government partnerships, led the administration of a $600,000 community football grant funding program, volunteered her time at AFL and VFL events and developed strong working relationships across the business.
Carla has been immense! Her work ethic, people skills and eagerness to learn set her apart. Very quickly, it was clear she was operating at a level well beyond what you’d expect from a Trainee. – Riley
One moment that stood out to Riley came at Gather Round in Adelaide. When the General Manager of Coles Liquor, Mia Lloyd, turned to him and asked:
When does her traineeship finish and how do I get her in my team?
For Carla, winning Trainee of the Year has been a powerful reminder of how far she’s come and the importance of saying yes to opportunities that pop up.
I don’t think I’d be where I am if I hadn’t taken that leap.
This traineeship gave me real experience, but also a support system that helped me grow.
Now working full-time in the AFL’s Commercial team, Carla is excited about what’s next.
The culture here is amazing everyone is passionate, collaborative and mates with each other. I’ve built real connections and great friendships.
Reflecting on her advice to others considering a traineeship, she says:
You have nothing to lose. If you don’t give it a go, you’ll never know. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn, grow and prove yourself in a competitive industry and it’s absolutely worth it.
AFL SportsReady congratulates Carla on being named the 2025 National Trainee of the Year for Impact and Excellence. Her experience is an excellent reminder of what can happen when you embrace opportunity!
All AFL SportsReady graduates are welcome to become members of our exclusive alumni.
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