Starting a new course at Richmond Institute was a big step for me, following the completion of Year 12 at Lilydale High School. As a student now completing the dual diploma of Sport and Leadership & Management, I wasn’t sure what my next steps would be after high school. However, my passion for sport led me to Richmond Institute, where I found a course designed to develop both the practical and theoretical skills needed to succeed in the sports industry. The hands-on approach and supportive learning environment have been key in building my confidence and expanding my career possibilities.
Preparing for day one at Richmond felt like starting high school again — unsure of anyone’s name or what would happen. However, the way the teachers and staff organised the first day really helped not just me, but the entire cohort, meet new people. Simple activities like “getting to know you” games and asking fellow students about their favorite football teams helped break the ice. These small interactions led to ongoing conversations about the footy world, mostly SuperCoach. The teachers pushed us out of our comfort zones and encouraged us to complete tasks that we never would have thought possible at the start of the year.
The highlight, by far, has been the placement. My first opportunity was at the Richmond Family Day, where I helped out with sponsor stands, greeted Richmond fans, and had friendly conversations about how we thought Richmond would perform in the season. This experience really boosted my confidence in talking with new people and helped me expand my network.
So far, completing this course has allowed me to develop my knowledge of the sports industry and better understand how vast it really is. The opportunities this course has provided will continue to push me to reach my goals. The staff at Richmond Institute aren’t just there to teach — they are there to guide and support you as you work towards the areas you want to enter one day.
This article was written by Kaiden Holliday, a current Diploma of Sport/Diploma of Leadership and Management (SIS50321/BSB50420) student studying in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology and the Richmond Football Club.
