Career Confidence Starts Here with Tim
For many high school students, choosing a career path can feel really daunting. But with Tim leading the way in the VDSS (VET Delivered to Secondary Students) program, specifically the Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation program, that all starts with building confidence.
Tim has built a learning environment where students don’t just gain a qualification. They discover their strengths, build leadership skills and start to see a future for themselves in the sporting and related industries.
For Tim, combining his two passions sport and education has been a natural step in his career. After joining AFL SportsReady four years ago as a Sport Educator, he quickly found himself drawn to the Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VDSS) program.
Today, as the lead educator, Tim is not only shaping the future of the program but also guiding many students as they take their first steps toward a future career.
What inspired me most was the opportunity to guide young people through a course that not only builds their skills but also builds their confidence and future pathways. What I enjoy most is watching the growth in students seeing them become more self-assured, develop leadership traits and take genuine pride in their achievements.
The VDSS program is more than just a qualification. For students, it’s a launchpad into the industry.
For parents, Tim describes it as:
A structured, hands-on introduction to the world of sport, recreation and health, all while their child is still at school. It builds practical skills, work readiness and industry connections that can really set them apart whether they go into further study or straight into the workforce.
What makes the program stand out is its immersive approach. Students learn in elite sporting environments, fitness centres and community spaces, not just classrooms. From running activities in a local recreation centre to stepping inside an AFL Football Club for a behind-the-scenes look at life in professional sport, the experiences are real and lasting.
Over two years, Tim has witnessed students undergo remarkable changes.
Many come in unsure of their abilities, but by the time they finish, they’re leading groups, speaking with confidence and making decisions with maturity. They’re not just developing skills, they’re becoming young professionals.
For Tim, this is the true value of the VDSS program: it gives students clarity, confidence and career direction.
Even if you’re unsure about your future in sport, the leadership and communication skills you learn here will benefit you in any field.
If you’re a student, parent or career advisor looking for an opportunity that blends learning, confidence-building and real-world experience. The VDSS program could be the perfect pathway.
Learn more about how the VDSS program can shape futures today.
Go Beyond The Classroom With VDSS
Looking for a hands-on, future-focused approach to Year 10, Year 11 and 12?
