Brisbane Broncos launch first ever NRL Sports Business Institute

The Brisbane Broncos have announced that they have become the first NRL club to set up a tertiary education business through a new partnership with TAFE Queensland.

Following a trend started by AFL clubs, the newly created Institute will be the exclusive integrated home for a double Diploma of Sport and Diploma of Leadership & Management in Queensland's first accredited education pathway that embeds hands-on learning across an entire sporting organisation.

The year-long course will offer students unparalleled insights into the operations of an NRL club, with students immersed in the Broncos' daily operations.

Titled the Sports Business Institute, it will see students undertake 100 hours of work experience in a range of club departments covering management, marketing and media.

Two students per intake will be guaranteed graduate roles at the club on completion of the course.

Initially capped at 30 students, the first intake will commence in May and run through until April 2024, with a second intake to kick off in February next year.

Pathway options will also be provided for students pursuing further studies after the program.

In addition to guaranteed entry to university, students will receive up to one year of credit for a degree in some of Australia's universities, including the Bachelor of Sport Development, Bachelor of Sport Management and Bachelor of Business with a major in Sport Management.

The club will also employ a full-time Program Manager for the initiative to show its passion for developing future sports industry professionals.

Set to be among the management team mentoring future sports leaders, Broncos Chief Executive, Dave Donaghy explained “we want to help build, nurture and power a field of dreams off the footy paddock as well.

"Not all of us can be professional athletes, but at a club like ours, there is a significant' team behind the teams', in respect to both our men's and women's programs.

"We have incredibly talented people in respective roles across the organisation, and that's not by coincidence.

"We recruit the best off the field as well, and they're committed to helping our future generations thrive, so it's exciting to be embarking on building that pipeline of talent, right here in Brisbane, that can help all codes nationally.

The first intake will be capped at 30 students and start in May.

Click here for more information on the program.

Images: The Broncos' Sports Business Institute is the first ever in the NRL (top), students at the Broncos' Clive Berghofer Centre (middle) and being introduced to the NRL club's history (below).