New Melbourne Cricket Education Academy launched

Cricket Victoria has partnered with RMIT’s College of Vocational Education to launch the new Melbourne Cricket Education Academy (MCEA) based at the state-of-the-art CitiPower Centre at Junction Oval.

The first of its kind in Australian cricket, the program offers a dual Diploma of Business and Diploma of Leadership and Management, powered by RMIT University.

Cricket Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars will host a select group of tertiary students gaining valuable hands-on experience within its elite sporting environment.

In addition to the dual-diploma delivered by RMIT, students will have the option to select from two elite sporting streams; the Cricket Development Program or the Sports Business Placement Program.

The program allows students to immerse themselves in the business of cricket and obtain exclusive insights to events, community activations, facility operations, fan engagement and match-day protocols.

RMIT’s College of Vocational Education Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Mish Eastman, said the course will provide students who want to work in elite sport with the skills and knowledge they need to kickstart their careers.

“The Melbourne Cricket Education Academy is a unique experience for students who will learn important business, leadership and management skills from industry experts, with the added benefit of studying in the heart of Victorian cricket at CitiPower Centre.”

“Combining study and real-life experience is something RMIT’s College of Vocational Education takes great pride in – providing students with lifelong learning and upskilling opportunities through an immersive experience, so once they graduate, they’re industry ready.”

“We are looking forward to the exciting journey ahead working with Cricket Victoria.”

Cricket Victoria Chief Executive Nick Cummins enthused “we are delighted to partner with RMIT University to make the Melbourne Cricket Education Academy a reality and provide a real option for students who are passionate about cricket and want to further their education across the sports industry in Australia.

“We see this as a fantastic opportunity to support the development of students through higher education, to provide a unique environment and offering to complete their studies and to have a positive impact on students who may become our future workforce.

“Students will get a front row seat to the work that goes into sports administration in cricket. From the work we do supporting clubs and volunteers in our community, to working in high performance environments, to our BBL clubs, media and broadcast relationships. There’s no greater opportunity to understand what someone does in a role than to see them in action. This program will give students all of that and more and develop them as leaders of the future.

“Applications and expressions of interest are open and I would encourage anyone who’s interested to visit Melbourne Cricket Education Academy website and register for an upcoming Open Day.”

Expressions of interest in the program are now open with the first group of successful candidates scheduled to begin the course in Semester 1, 2023.

Eligible Students may be able to access the government’s FEE-HELP scheme to support the payment of the course fees.

For more information, visit the official Melbourne Cricket Education Academy website 

Image top:The program will be run out of CitiPower Centre at Junction Oval; image centre: Students will have access to elite athletes, coaches, high performance staff and mentors; image above: David Hussey, Head of Male Cricket, showing the state-of-the-art facility, which is a year-round elite training base for Victoria’s best cricketers as well as a hub for community cricket.