Thriving Alumni with AFL Queensland
Tshanti Parry, proud Torres Strait Islander from Moa Island, is one of AFL SportsReady’s inspiring Alumni. At just 21 years old, Tshanti is already thriving as the Participation Coordinator for Ipswich West, thanks to the doors opened by her traineeship with AFL Queensland.
Tshanti happily shares the lessons she learned. The personal growth she experienced and how her cultural background shaped who she is today.
Reflecting back, the sports industry wasn’t really on Tshanti’s radar;
I started with a traineeship with AFL Queensland while I was still finding my feet after high school.
After completing the traineeship, I moved to Brisbane to study Law and Business at university and worked casually alongside my studies.
The traineeship opened doors for me and set me on a path I hadn’t expected—but one I’m incredibly grateful for.
For Tshanti, the hands-on experience she gained through the traineeship was invaluable.
The connections and experience I built through my traineeship are the reason I have the job I have now.
Experience in the AFL industry has shown her that formal education isn’t the only path to success.
If you work hard and understand what the organisation stands for, you can go anywhere.
Throughout her three years in the AFL industry, Tshanti has faced her share of challenges. Including learning to navigate her neurodiversity.
Before the traineeship, I thought I’d get my degree and work in an office,
but I discovered that I have ADHD and an office job wouldn’t have suited me.
The traineeship experience helped her develop new strategies for time management, communication and adapting to various settings.
One day you’re running a footy clinic with five-year-olds, the next you’re meeting with corporate stakeholders. The traineeship taught me how to deliver myself differently in various settings.
She credits the traineeship program with network effectively and helped her come out of her shell!
I’ve always been able to talk to people—it’s just how I was raised.
But the traineeship gave me new opportunities to express myself and build lasting connections.
Leaving her home and cultural roots in Mackay to move to Brisbane was a major adjustment for Tshanti.
Being Torres Strait Islander, my culture is such a huge part of who I am.
It was hard to leave that behind and be away from my family.
She reflects on the importance of family and community in her life:
For us Mob, our friends are family, cousins are brothers and sisters and Aunties and Uncles are our parents. When you’re used to that, it can feel isolating to be out on your own.
To stay grounded in Brisbane, Tshanti threw herself into football by joining a local club, which gave her a new sense of community.
It was tough. I won’t lie. But sometimes you just have to push through it and build new connections.
As a Participation Coordinator, Tshanti’s role involves engaging with fans, running community programs and delivering events like holiday camps for the Brisbane Lions Football Club.
The AFL is always evolving—there are new ideas and programs all the time. Some work, some don’t.
You have to be able to think on your feet.
Being away from her cultural roots, Tshanti knows that moving to Brisbane was essential for her growth.
For me to become my own person and gain experience, I had to make that move.
As she continues to grow in the AFL industry, Tshanti is passionate about helping others see the potential within themselves.
If someone is thinking about doing a traineeship, I’d say go for it. It opened so many doors for me.
Tshanti’s final words of advice?
It helps to be different. In the AFL, we all bring different lived experiences and that’s what makes it such a great space to work in.
If you’re willing to learn, work hard and collaborate – the opportunities are endless.
Her journey from aspiring law student to AFL industry professional shows how impactful a traineeship can be. Her story is one of perseverance, community and growth—proof that no two journeys need to look the same to achieve success.
If you’ve recently completed your Traineeship, join our Alumni!
Since 2000, We have kick-started the careers of over 3,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees. The Warumilang Program is our dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program to assist First Nations peoples. With tailored employment and training pathways that aim to provide opportunities for First Nations peoples to thrive and be successful.
