Barooga’s Alahni Hulley turns 19 next week, and is eagerly looking forward to the future, when she will embark on a unique tertiary experience in a high-performance sporting environment.
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Alahni has been accepted to undertake study for a Diploma of Elite Sports Business next year and turn her passion for sport into an opportunity to build a career in a high-profile industry.
Established in 2019 through a joint partnership between the Carlton Football Club and La Trobe University, the 12-month course will see Alahni join other students at IKON Park (formerly known as Princes Park), where she will be immersed not only in business studies but in the day-to-day environment of one of Melbourne’s elite sporting clubs.
Alahni in action for the Cobram Tigers.
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Alahni completed her VCE studies at St Mary of the Angels in Nathalia last year and remained open to suggestions on what she was looking to do after studying psychology, human health and development, business studies, maths and English in Year 12, together with outdoor education in Year 11.
It was while she was submitting applications for various business, health and outdoor education courses that Alahni came upon the Elite Sports Business Diploma at the Carlton College of Sport, which piqued her interest.
The bright, intelligent teen is excited about her 12 months of full-time study next year.
“I applied for the diploma course alongside a number of others before I knew what my TER score would be, and I was completely blown away to receive the offer,” Alahni said.
Studying for the diploma will allow Alahni to gain further qualifications within sports business.
“I will look at it further when I complete the diploma, but I really would love to do something in marketing or social media. I actually can’t wait to start,” she said.
After completing her 12 months at IKON Park, Alahni hopes to obtain a position at Carlton and pick up a further course at La Trobe University to grow her knowledge in sports business.
Alahni admits that during Years 9 and 10 all she wanted was to finish school and find a job like many of her age group.
However, maturity has a tendency to make an appearance and midway through Year 12, Alahni looked at going to Melbourne to continue her education.
Alahni is the first grandchild on both sides of her family to go on to study at university.
Undeniably, the entire family is excited and proud of this young woman, who has shown she has the drive to success in her chosen field.
Parents Shane Hulley and Monique Neal are thrilled for their daughter and also extremely proud of her efforts in finding ample work during her gap year to assist with her costs next year while studying.
During her application, she happened to notice that she would study at the home of her favourite AFL team, Carlton.
It’s a club she has supported her entire life. Is that the reason she applied there? Not entirely, but it was a feel-good aspect that just felt right!
Also, she just might meet three of her favourite Blues players: Tom De Koning, Charlie Curnow and Ollie Hollands!
Graduates have gone on to make a significant impact in the sports industry across various disciplines after obtaining a position.
These have included roles with the AFL, Cricket Australia, Melbourne Victory, Victoria Racing Club and Australian Grand Prix to name just a few.
At the end of the year, four students are hired for a full-time position at the Carlton FC.
Alahni is a sports enthusiast and played in a basketball representative side when she was a junior and began playing netball at the age of eight.
Playing for three years with Shepparton Bears, the first year in B-reserve, Alahni played her second year in the under-17s and made the grand final.
She spent her third year in B-reserve, where she was appointed vice-captain.
Now at Cobram, she plays goal shooter in the Tiger’s A-grade side.
She loves the game and will greatly miss her teammates when she heads to Melbourne next year.
Her future, however, is in Melbourne and when the 2026 university year begins she will be ready to take up her Diploma of Elite Sports Business, with her goals reliant on determination and a desire to be successful in whatever she plans to do!
