AFL SportsReady Kicking Goals in New Partnership

Curtin University and AFLSportsReady have announced an exclusive partnership in Western Australia, in an initiative that will provide new career and educational pathways for young people.

The new partnership was announced today at AFL SportsReady’s Grand Final Breakfast at Patersons Stadium.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education Professor Jill Downie said Curtin was delighted by the chance to build a strong relationship with AFL SportsReady, which provides career pathway opportunities for young people across Australia, including through traineeships and Certificate and Diploma level courses.

“Some 60 per cent of AFL SportsReady trainees in WA are Indigenous and this fits well with Curtin’s objective to increase tertiary education opportunities for Indigenous people,” Professor Downie said.

“We are pleased to be strengthening our ties to the vocational education and training sector and providing education pathways to a wider variety of students.”

“Curtin first became involved in the AFL SportsReady Traineeship program in 2004 and has assisted trainees to gain qualifications that allow them to seek employment in the sport and recreation industries.”

“This new partnership expands on that relationship in that AFL SportsReady students who complete a Diploma of Management or Diploma of Sports Management will receive credit towards a Bachelor of Commerce course and a clear direction to a Curtin degree.”

“Students who complete a Certificate IV in those disciplines through AFL SportsReady will also be considered for entry into the Curtin Bachelor of Commerce degree.”

First established in 1994 to provide education and training to support elite footballers prepare for a career after football, AFL SportsReady now delivers traineeships and education in a wide range of fields and has more than 900 students and almost 700 trainees in its programs nationally.

AFL SportsReady Chief Executive Officer James Montgomery said he was looking forward to seeing the relationship with Curtin flourish.

“The success and development of AFL SportsReady has been based on understanding the development and needs of young people, working closely with and listening to industry and partnering with organisations to provide the industry skills and experience to deliver great outcomes,” Mr Montgomery said.

“As a national not-for-profit company we are driven to give all our trainees and students the best kick start to their career possible. We are particularly passionate about improving outcomes for young Indigenous Australians and currently employ more than 220 Indigenous trainees across Australia.”

“We are proud to partner with Curtin and this collaboration is based on our joint desire to provide the highest quality possible educational experience with a clear pathway from vocational education into university.”

DATE: Thursday 26 September 2013
IMAGE: James Montgomery, CEO AFL SportsReady and Professor Jill Downie of Curtin University 
[Images from the announcement at Patersons Stadium are available on request].

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