NEARLY half a million Queensland sporting volunteers will soon have access to free training to build confidence, skills and capability across community clubs.
CQUniversity has developed new online micro-credentials to support the state’s 494,400 volunteers who help keep grassroots sport running.
The training comes as Queensland prepares for a wide range of sporting opportunities linked to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The courses will focus on four key areas: volunteer leadership and club governance, inclusive and child-safe sport practices, digital and artificial intelligence skills, and disability inclusion and adaptive sport.
The free program will be available from early 2027 and is supported through the Queensland Government’s Micro-credentialling Program.
CQUniversity Director of Sport Strategy Professor Fabio Serpiello said volunteers were often taking on complex responsibilities without formal training or recognition. “Volunteers are often responsible for high-pressure operations, technology management, compliance and governance, but often roles can be filled without formal training or recognition,” Professor Serpiello said.“This skills gap contributes to volunteer burnout and limits club capacity at a time when community demand for sport is growing.”
The micro-credentials will be co-designed with industry partners including Sports Cloud, Sporting Wheelies, CPRG and QSport.
Professor Serpiello said the program would help volunteers gain practical skills while also creating employment pathways across sport, recreation, events and community services.
The university’s initiative aims to strengthen more than 1300 sporting clubs across Queensland by supporting the people who make community sport possible. www.cqu.edu.au/study/short-courses-microcredentials/microcredentials