Brooklyn's Journey: From Grassroots to the Big League
Brooklyn Perry’s journey through the sporting industry is a testament to passion, persistence, and saying “yes” to every opportunity. From her early days in Newcastle to her current role at the AFL, Brooklyn’s career path has been anything but linear. What it has been is a journey driven by a clear love for sport and a desire to make a difference.
After graduating high school in 2020, Brooklyn earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. While her academic background didn’t initially point to a career in sport, it was her first job as a Sport Development Officer for AFL NSW/ACT that truly ignited her passion. “It really solidified my love for sport and made me realise I wanted to pursue a career in the sporting industry,” she reflects.
Her three years in that role laid a strong foundation, immersing her in the world of athlete development and community engagement. It was during this time that Brooklyn discovered the joy of working with young athletes and contributing to development pathway experiences that would shape her future ambitions.
In 2024, Brooklyn took her commitment to the next level by enrolling in the Diploma of Sports Coaching and Development at the Carlton College of Sport (CCoS). Her time at CCoS proved to be pivotal. “The best thing about my time at CCoS was the connections I made, both friendship-wise and with the staff at Carlton,” she says. One standout experience was the Football Development Program, which gave her a deeper understanding of elite sport and helped her grow both on and off the field.
Today, Brooklyn works as the AFL Travel Program Coordinator at the AFL, a role that perfectly combines her passion for sport with her strength in organisation. “It’s a very admin-heavy role, which I love” she explains. Her responsibilities include coordinating ticketing, managing inventory, and supporting the Premium Growth team with events and hospitality at Marvel Stadium.
She credits the relationships she built at CCoS as instrumental in landing the role. “I truly believe having a CCoS staff member as a reference, and the relationships I formed during my time at the College is one of the reasons I was offered the role.”
Brooklyn’s path to the AFL wasn’t paved with certainty. “There have definitely been a lot of ups and downs” she admits. But her strategy was simple: say yes to everything.
“I applied to anything and everything I could get my hands on, even if I thought I may not have been the right candidate.”
Looking ahead, Brooklyn is excited to explore more within the AFL, particularly in ticketing, corporate events, and the development of women’s sport. While she’s not currently pursuing further studies, she remains open to future learning opportunities.
Her advice to aspiring sports professionals? “Take everything as it comes and take every opportunity you can. Say yes to as many things as you can, get your hands on as many projects or jobs as you can, you’ll gain so much experience and connections that will help you in developing your career.”
Brooklyn Perry’s story is a powerful reminder that with passion, resilience, and a willingness to dive in, the sporting industry offers endless possibilities.
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