Brodie Clarke is a great example of the SEDA College pathway and where it can take you.
Journeying that pathway, Brodie rose from student, to trainee to now having a full-time job in the SACA community cricket department at just 19-years-old.
The SEDA model places student interest and practical connection to industry at the forefront of the senior secondary education, with students able to gain first-hand insight and opportunity at SA’s leading sporting clubs and associations.
SACA is one of SEDA College’s industry partners, facilitating real life industry experiences and student opportunities inside the organisation, with Brodie being one of the SEDA students who worked with SACA during his studies.
When Brodie was in high school, he thought that working in the sports industry might be appealing, so it was perfect timing when SEDA College started in 2019.
Brodie joined the program in 2020 and was in the multi-class that worked between both SACA and the Adelaide Crows.
On Friday’s, the class had a community workday, where they would go to primary schools and deliver clinics on behalf of their sporting partners.
“The delivery side of things was really good, actually going out to the community and making an impact with the community and schools,” Brodie said.
“Delivering those programs, I understood what was required and the key areas we need to hit to make sure the kids got a good experience.
“Obviously you grow confidence by doing that.”
During his two years at SEDA, Brodie also got the chance to do work experience in the SACA office for a semester, working amongst a number of different departments rather than just program delivery.
Brodie impressed during that semester and when his schooling finished in October 2021, a traineeship came up at SACA at the perfect time.
“I got a good experience of what SACA is like [during the work placement] and the opportunities that could present,” Brodie said.
“So, when the traineeship came up, I put my hand up for it, went through an interview process and got the position.”
During his traineeship, Brodie started with simple tasks helping the community cricket department, but quickly earned more responsibility and ended up back-filling roles for periods, working in a range of different areas and with almost everyone in the community department.
“It gave me a good lens that once I finished my traineeship, I could go down different paths,” he said.
“I got a good understanding of what key priorities are, what role responsibility looks like, it was a really good eye opener.”
Once his year-long traineeship ended, it was a no brainer for SACA to keep Brodie on and he was appointed to the full-time role of South-Central Country Club Officer in July.
“It's a role that I've really enjoyed doing and it aligns really nicely,” Brodie said.
“It’s been a pretty clear-cut pathway, the whole SEDA model and pathway held me in good stead.
“If you’re keen to work in the sport industry, there’s a big opportunity there to take and it’s a good pathway to go down.”
SEDA College’s cricket class is relocating to Edwardstown in 2024 which will allow an increased capacity in the class.
If you’re interested in following Brodie’s journey and completing Years 11 and 12 in the SEDA x SACA program, attend the SEDA information session on Monday, October 16 at Wayville Basketball Stadium.