Brisbane Lions Institute of Business and Sport Welcomes New Enrollees

The Brisbane Lions Institute of Business and Sport (BLIBS) has made significant strides by welcoming two intakes, leading to a total of 60 students enrolling in its distinctive dual diploma program.

This innovative initiative was designed to equip aspiring sports professionals with practical industry exposure alongside formal qualifications in sport and leadership.

As the first batch graduated in June, this milestone has already commenced a ripple effect within the sporting industry, with three students securing roles post-graduation.

Isabella Harvey, Aleisha Gardyne, and Jonas Kissel, members of the pioneering BLIBS cohort, expressed their enthusiasm for the program and shared insights into how it has prepared them for their future careers.

Highlighting the program’s emphasis on real-world experience, Gardyne, said: “Being part of the inaugural year of BLIBS has been an incredibly rewarding experience; it was clear that the program was built to provide real-world, hands-on exposure to the inner workings of an AFL club.” 

For Kissel, the practical components of the program, particularly during match-day work-integrated learning (WIL) and public speaking events, proved instrumental in securing employment.

“The big start for me was in match-day WIL and speaking at events. Public speaking comes quite naturally to me, but it’s always a little nerve-racking; this helped me get the membership position at the Lions.” Kissel noted.

Harvey also underscored the program’s impact on her career trajectory, describing enrollment at BLIBS as the best decision I’ve ever made.

She added that the experience, opportunity, and growth she gained have been pivotal in her career. Studying within the home of an elite sporting club truly opened her eyes to the world of sport management.

Lions education program manager, Anna O’Keeffe, concluded: “We are thrilled to see alumni from our BLIBS program go on to take roles here at the Lions.”

“It is a massive tick for the first cohort of this program, and with the assistance of TAFE Queensland, we are excited to continue developing aspiring sports professionals,” O’Keeffee expressed.

As the BLIBS program continues to grow, it stands as a crucial platform for nurturing the next generation of leaders in sports management, connecting education with practical experience in an ever-evolving industry landscape.

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