Rise of Tasmanian Devils, JackJumpers leads to sports academy

Tasmania's sports sector is rapidly expanding, leading to the creation of the Tasmanian Academy of Leadership and Sport. This academy offers a 12-month dual diploma in leadership, management, and sport, with additional course credit towards a business degree at the University of Tasmania. The academy, a partnership between the Tasmania Football Club, JackJumpers basketball, Hobart Hurricanes cricket team, and Netball Tasmania, is run through TasTAFE.

Tom Reeves, North Hobart Football Club co-captain, returned to Tasmania after studying education on the Gold Coast. He enrolled in the newly opened academy, where his study soon turned into a job offer as a community engagement officer. Reeves later took on teaching roles.

The growth of professional sports in Tasmania has created numerous job opportunities. The JackJumpers entered the National Basketball League in 2021, the Tasmania Devils will join the AFL in 2028, and the Jewels Tasmanian women's basketball team is set to enter the WNBL. This surge in professional sports is encouraging Tasmanians to consider the state as a viable location for their careers.

Jesse O Hara, who secured the 19th AFL licence for Tasmania, moved back home after seeing the emotional pull of the state's growing sports industry. He established the academy in response to the lack of a dedicated education and training pathway for sports professionals. The academy's curriculum aims to provide students with insights into the culture and nuances of sport, preparing them for a wide range of jobs within the industry.

Lisa Gowthorp, an academic in sport management at Gold Coast's Bond University, has observed a growing interest in sports management due to the increasing number of jobs available. She believes that sports jobs, particularly in administration and management, will continue to expand, especially with the upcoming 2032 Olympics in Brisbane. Unlike traditional business degrees, sports-specific training offers unique knowledge about event operations, stadium and facility management, and team communication.