Collingwood’s Community Foundation Programs Coordinator, Ben Falzon’s trajectory from student, to scholar, to staff member was one fuelled by his passion for all things Australian sport.
Ben Falzon, 20, was raised in the birthplace of the ‘The Ashes’, so sport came naturally to the Sunbury local.
Growing up, he learned the value of hard work and dedication from his parents, Kylie and David, who tirelessly managed the Clarkefield Brumbies Cricket Club – a legacy of community sport that he now carries forward in his own career.
“Mum and Dad built their own cricket club from the ground up with their best mates, but the club disbanded after the 2016 season when I was about 11, or 12.”
“The ground was always covered in rabbit holes. He (dad) would have to wake up to go to the ground… spend three hours filling them all up.” Falzon explains.
Ben was always surrounded by sport, whether it was playing in the forward line for the Sunbury Lions Junior Football Club or learning how to manage a local club from his parents. A career within the sporting industry was always going to happen for Ben, one way or another.
“For me, I knew that I wanted to work within sport. No one I knew was also doing the [Collingwood Magpies Sport & Business] program, or anything like it, so after having some hard experiences in Year 12, it felt perfect for me to have a fresh start in something completely new.”
It was halfway through his Year 12 VCE at Sunbury Downs College, when he received a letter in the mail from Cricket Australia about their own Sport & Business Program powered by SEDA.
SEDA Group (SEDA) is a registered training organisation with a focus on applied learning which they deliver through industry-based diploma programs connected to elite sporting organisations.
During his application process for the Cricket Australia Sport & Business Program, Falzon realised many of his answers were footy-centric, and switched his application to the Collingwood Football Club’s equivalent instead.
“You obviously can’t overlook the opportunity to be involved with the biggest club in Australia, and the opportunity to learn in a world-class facility with so much great history. “
“Although I am a Collingwood supporter, it was never the be-all-and-end-all when deciding which course was the one for me. Comparing to what different programs offer, it became a simple choice.”
“The workplace learning, volunteering, major projects... It’s being able to see first-hand what we’re working on within the club that really showed me the value of the work we were doing.” Falzon said.
The work-integrated learning that the Collingwood Magpies Sport & Business program offered by being integrated in a high-performance environment fuelled his passion and reinforced the value of hard work.
Throughout his time as a student, he embraced every opportunity to grow and develop, immersing himself in experiences that shaped his passion for sports and community engagement.
His journey during the course took him across the country, which included a visit to Sydney to attend a leadership and inclusion seminar and gained invaluable insights into creating inclusive sporting environments.
However, the highlight of his journey was undoubtedly a visit to the club’s community partners in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, where he witnessed firsthand the transformative power of sports in remote communities.
“Travelling to the Northern Territory as our major project, the smile on the kids’ faces as we all rocked up, and seeing the preparation and hard work we did prior come to fruition was so rewarding.”
Building on these experiences, he forged key relationships with the Collingwood Community Foundation team and volunteered his work-integrated learning hours towards helping the Community Football Club in Reclink’s Football League.
This can-do attitude helped Falzon earn the Nathan Buckley Scholarship after graduating in 2023, resulting in a part-time role within the Collingwood Football Club’s Community Foundation.
“I have Annie Lietzau and Mardi McMillan to thank for the role and their guidance during the program,” Falzon reflects.
Their mentorship and support gave him the confidence to pursue the scholarship and provided a strong foundation for his burgeoning career in sports.
“And without the course, I wouldn’t be close to where I am now. Working full-time at the biggest sporting club in the country, the skills and learnings I gathered throughout all aspects of the program, along with the connections and relationships I built along the way, have all played a significant role in the development of my career.”
Learn more about the program here.
Collingwood Magpies works in collaboration with SEDA Group RTO: 22503 on marketing and promotional services relating to the recruitment of prospective students for this program.
