NSW College of Sport’s inaugural cohort blazing new trail

These trailblazing students are helping shape a bold new frontier in sports education, where leadership, management and high‑performance sport come together to inspire the next generation of industry leaders.

The NSW College of Sport has been more than two years in the making. Established by Cricket NSW – the largest sporting body in New South Wales – the College delivers its programs in partnership with UOW College, owned by the University of Wollongong.

Alongside leadership opportunities across cricket and a range of other sports, the College also benefits from strong partnerships with Sydney’s two Big Bash League teams, the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers, plus the AFL’s Richmond Football Club.

Designed for emerging leaders across the sports industry, the College offers the opportunity to study a dual diploma with 80 hours of work integrated learning combining theory with hands‑on learning and meaningful industry placements.

The first cohort of nine students has now commenced an exciting 10‑month program as they work toward their dual diplomas (SIS50321 Diploma of Sport and BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management).

Students gain real‑world experience inside organisations aligned with their career ambitions – spanning not only cricket, but a diverse range of sporting codes and professional environments – setting them up for success in the areas they’re passionate about.

Access to modern, purpose‑built facilities, including tech‑enabled classrooms, elite sporting spaces, study areas and vibrant communal zones such as the café, kitchen and dining area means the NSW College of Sport provides everything needed to train, study, connect and thrive.

Expo Mejia, Education Manager at the NSW College of Sport, brings extensive frontline experience overseeing similar programs at the Brisbane Broncos, Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns, Queensland Cricket and Brisbane Bullets.

Drawing on his background teaching in leading schools and coaching rugby teams across Australia, Japan, the USA and the Philippines, Mejia has designed a program that mirrors the realities of the sports industry.

Under his guidance, students receive a genuinely practical education, balancing real‑world sporting environments with focused classroom learning, presentations and group work, preparing them to step confidently into leadership roles across the sector.

“The program includes three days of face‑to‑face learning each week, supported by 80 hours of integrated industry placement,” Mejia explains.

“Our students aren’t just learning about the sports industry—they’re experiencing it firsthand, working across both elite and community sport, from performance to commercial operations. It’s a comprehensive pathway that equips them to thrive in any area of the sports sector they choose.”

With interest rapidly building, the College is preparing a special mid‑year intake for June 2026, offering another opportunity for aspiring sports professionals to secure their place and graduate in April 2027. Places will be limited as the program continues to be recognised as one of the fastest and most direct pathways into the sports industry.

Attend the next available online information session HERE.

Book a campus tour and chat with a NSWCOS Educator HERE.

Enquire about the dual‑diploma course HERE.

For those eager to turn their passion into a real career, the NSW College of Sport offers a rare combination of industry‑led learning, hands‑on experience and the connections that lead to genuine job opportunities.

Students who join won’t just study sport, they’ll step straight into the heart of it.