Former All Black becomes TAFE at School teacher

After his 17-year professional career took former international rugby union players all over the world, he is now based in Queensland, inspiring the next generation of Rugby 7s players through TAFE at School.

Having played halfback at every professional level, Alby is focused on sharing his knowledge and experience with TAFE Queensland's Academy of Sport program.

"I loved playing rugby at every level worldwide, and I always wanted to be a coach when I retired, but when I found out about TAFE Queensland's sevens partnership with Queensland Rugby, I put myself forward.

"I didn't know if I could teach, but I wanted to give it a go because coaching rugby is my passion. I started from scratch, but so far, I love being a teacher, and I want to encourage more people to consider it a future career," said Alby.

In partnership with the Queensland Rugby Union, Alby teaches Rugby 7s to year 10, 11 and 12 students at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane, bringing over a decade and a half of professional playing experience as they complete a Certificate II in Sport Coaching (SIS20321).

"Being a professional sportsman was fantastic, but everyone knows that doesn't last forever, so when I got the opportunity to move into a new profession that was exciting, challenging and where you feel you can make a difference, I took full advantage of it. I enjoy going to work every day, and that is hugely important."

"As a teacher, you use your skills and experience to bring the subject you love to life for your students. Helping young people fulfil their potential and realise their ambitions means I go home daily knowing I've made a real difference," he said.

Through the TAFE at Schools program, students spend one day per week at Ballymore Stadium rather than in a traditional campus setting. This enables Alby to equip students with the professional skills they need to pursue coaching opportunities on and off the rugby field.

The sports-specific sessions he teaches combine coaching theory with on-field practical delivery, providing students with invaluable insights into all aspects of professional rugby.

"Being able to bring my skills to coach students to become coaches of tomorrow is the best part; you can share ideas, introduce them to different training structures and different ways to play the game," Alby said.

"It's important to me to be involved with young players at this point of my career, as I can introduce them to different playing and coaching structures that help develop them into better players."

Alby can already see his positive influence on the class, having already seen his young students go from being shy to thriving as they lead the class through training drills.

"One of my quieter students went into her shell when it was her turn to get up and coach the rest of the class, and I could see she was feeling shy about leading her classmates through a drill."

"So, I helped her set up the drills and asked her to talk me through them, which helped calm her down. She got up, a bit nervous, but started coaching, and her classmates understood her drills. She spoke clearly and precisely, and the session flowed well.

"Now, she speaks up more in class, is more confident, and can run good drills. It's so rewarding to see the students your teaching grow."

"It's about seeing all my students get better and knowing that they can take what I've said or taught them and use it, then I'm a happy man."

Rounding out his new career, Alby has started coaching rugby union at a high school to help him become a better coach and teacher.

"I'm taking my learnings from being a TAFE Queensland teacher and my playing career to put them together and eventually move into coaching GPS schools and grow this program."

"I want rugby in Australia to be strong, so if I can grow the game by getting more people involved in regular sevens programs, that would be the big thing for me."

"At the end of the day, if the students and players I coach go professional, they're going to play for Australia, so I want to play my part to grow Queensland rugby and get it back to where it should be," concluded Alby.