Netball Tasmania Partners With Blundstone TALS to Build Workforce Pipeline Through Accredited Work-Integrated Learning

Netball Tasmania has formalised a partnership with the Blundstone Tasmania Academy of Leadership in Sport (TALS), placing students in paid, accredited roles across netball administration and event delivery as part of a structured diploma program combining leadership, management and sport.

Program Structure

TALS is delivered in partnership with TasTAFE and operates across Hobart and Launceston. Students complete diplomas in Leadership and Management and Sport alongside face-to-face learning and sessions with regular industry speakers. The program includes 100 hours of work-integrated learning, placing students directly inside sports organisations during live operations.

Graduates receive 18 months of credit towards the University of Tasmania’s Bachelor of Business degree. Applications for the 2027 intake are currently open.

Student Placement in Action

Will Green, a current TALS student, completed part of his work-integrated placement at the opening round of the Tasmanian Netball League at Kingston, gaining direct experience in netball event management and administration.

Netball Tasmania CEO Penny Shearer described what the organisation observed in Green’s development beyond sport-specific knowledge.

“ability to ask questions and deliver in a professional way”

Shearer has stated the partnership is designed to develop capability and build a future workforce for netball in Tasmania.

Organisational Rationale

The arrangement serves dual purposes: students acquire accredited qualifications and practical industry exposure, while Netball Tasmania builds a pipeline of trained professionals familiar with its operations. The model moves beyond ad-hoc internship arrangements by anchoring placements within a TasTAFE-accredited diploma framework that carries recognised university credit.