- Spending 8 fantastic weeks in Oz
- Students not taking a full year-out
- Training with an Aussie athletics club
- Exploring Oz through organised activities


When time is of the essence….
Ideal for those not taking a gap year or with limited time to spare, our 8 Week Experience allows you to combine training and competing with an athletics team in Oz whilst taking part in pre-planned activities.
Don’t choose between athletics and adventure – have both!

Our 8 week athletics experience allows you to have it all – enjoy track and field events, live with other participants and explore the wonders of Oz. You’ll compete and train with a local athletics club, making friends whilst getting a first-hand taste of Aussie sport.
You’ll live alongside other Sport Lived participants right in the centre of tropical Brisbane. You can explore the city with your new mates and our range of activities ensure you’ll have a summer to remember.
Australian Working Holiday Visa
If you would like to obtain paid work during your programme you will need to obtain an Australian Working Holiday Visa. UK citizens aged 18-30 are eligible for an Australian Working Holiday Visa which enables holders to live and work in Australia for up to 12 months. It costs around £150 and can take up to 4 weeks to process so we recommend getting the paperwork sorted well in advance of your departure.
Australian Tourist Visa
If you don’t want to work in Australia you can get an Australian Tourist Visa.
For more information see the Travel & Visa section in the Need to Know area of our site.
Absolutely not! We cater for athletes of all abilities. We will obtain further information on your sporting ability once you have submitted your booking form. This will allow us to match you with a suitable club.
Hopefully, most key pieces of information are available on the website where you can download programme notes, prices and dates. Our Need to Know section also contains lots of useful information. If you have other questions or just want to have a chat, we’re always available either on the phone or via email.
We know that planning a trip overseas can be scary at times and there’s loads to think about. So don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need to discuss anything at all.
We have links with a fantastic range of Australian athletics clubs who will welcome you as a new member. Get ready for plenty of banter - the Aussies love to have a laugh with their new Pommey teammates!
Most clubs have training sessions every night of the week and the majority of members train 3-4 times a week. In each city clubs take part in inter-club competitions. Events for these are usually held on Saturdays but there are some twilight competitions during the Summer.
Most athletics clubs have large junior sections and we encourage all Sport Lived participants to get involved in coaching juniors during their time in Australia. Coaching is lots of fun and a great way to develop key skills such as leadership, communication and organisational skills.
With so many members, your club will be a hive of social activity. There are often drinks after training and competitions plus social events throughout the season - new members’ night, pub crawls and an end of season dinner. Many clubs also arrange training camps, a great chance to get to know your teammates whilst exploring a new part of Oz.
Our clubs are selected for their high quality coaching and facilities, helping you to return home a much improved athlete. Whatever your discipline there will be coaches on hand to work with your on technique, strength and improve overall results.
What are you waiting for? Get out there and show the Aussies how it’s done!

An active social scene is an important selection criteria for any Sport Lived athletics club. Your club will offer a warm welcome and plenty of social activities during your time away. Get ready to train hard and party harder. Pre-season tours, pub crawls, fancy dress parties, BBQs and even an end of season ball ensure there’s never a dull moment.

You will live alongside other Sport Lived participants who are playing and coaching a wide variety of sports. This provides a ready made group of friends with whom you’ll explore life in your chosen Aussie city.
Your programme will begin with introductory drinks during the first week co-ordinated by your mentor who will also organise monthly social events. These might include a day out at a seasonal sporting event, a traditional Aussie Barbie, pub golf, etc.
Choose our Standard Accommodation in Australia and you’ll live in a dorm room in a hostel or lodge. All our Standard pads are centrally located and provide easy access to public transport. This makes it easier to get to your sports club, as well as giving you the chance to try out all the bars, clubs and restaurants in the city centre.

You’ll share a dorm room with other Sport Lived participants. You’ll get fully equipped kitchen facilities, a base for your belongings and large comfortable communal areas, so you can catch up with other Sport Lived participants and travellers from around the world.
NB: Illustrative accommodation pictures.
Choose our Premium Accommodation in Australia and you’ll live in a 4 star apartment in the centre of town. Your club will be easily accessible by public transport and with lots of bars, clubs, restaurants and shops close by there are plenty of places explore.
Four star city centre apartmentsApartments are shared with other Sport Lived participants and include a 24 hour reception plus many mod-cons. Apartments are fully furnished including a TV, linen, kitchen appliances, washing machines, etc. They are also serviced weekly so you can spend your time having fun.
NB: Illustrative accommodation pictures.

Our 8 Week Experience programmes include a number of organised trips and activities allowing you to combine rowing with some great adventures.
Specific activities vary slightly from year to year, but here’s an idea of the fun stuff you can expect.

During the first week of your programme, we’ll arrange introductory drinks in the city for you and your fellow Sport Lived participants. Your mentor will co-ordinate arrangements and show you around local bars and nightspots to get your programme off to a flying start.

Another taste of Aussie life is watching live sport. There are some unforgettable sporting spectacles during July and August and we’ll pick up tickets for a great event.
Maybe it’ll be a National Rugby League game at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium or an Aussie Rules match watching the Brisbane Lions in action at the famous Gabba.

The Gold Coast has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world as well as famous surf breaks. Just an hour from Brisbane, you’ll spend the day exploring the beaches, shops and attractions of Australia’s premier holiday destination.
You’ll also receive a surfing lesson from a qualified instructor with the aim of getting you up and riding!

You’ll paddle along the meandering Brisbane river with a guided adventure tour observing the city from a unique angle. Watch Brisbane’s most prominent landmarks glide while you keep cool in the river breeze.

Only in Australia would you find the words ‘barbeque’ and ‘culture’ in the same phrase, but the barbeque is an intrinsic part of Australian culture. You’ll get a first hand taste of the quintessential Aussie experience.
We’ll organise the genuine article complete with ice cold local beer, some old school Aussie tunes and even a game of backyard cricket!

Brisbane is a very bike friendly city with loads of cycle tracks and suburbs to explore on two wheels. We’ll take you on a cycling tour of the city and surrounding regions stopping for lunch and refreshment breaks. A brilliant way to get to know the city and spend time with your fellow participants.

Throughout your stay in Brisbane you’ll have membership to a gym close to your accommodation. You’ll be able to stay in perfect shape, working out with your Sport Lived mates.

You’ll spend a day exploring the underwater wonders of the Tangalooma shipwrecks, close to Moreton Island just off the Queensland coast. The experience of swimming amongst the wrecks with tropical fish literally within your grasp is exhilarating. You might even spot one of the dolphins or green turtles living in the area.

...of Ian Kennan who played hockey in Christchurch for a season.
I emerge from bed still half asleep. I had training with the sprint group, a great bunch who took me in and made me feel right at home! Crash out!
I woke up early and headed to the gym to do my weights training. Then we went out to do plyometrics and watched our friends play rugby!
We decided to go and watch Queensland Reds, the temperature was around 34c! Afterwards I head to training, tonight is fitness night… I get back and fall straight to sleep
get straight to the gym for another weights session. Back at the apartment we decided we should go to the golf driving range, definitely an interesting experience!
We wanted some sports clothing so went shopping. I purchased a Rugby League shirt, while my friend brought an AFL vest, sadly I don’t have the arms for those!
Hill sprints today, so I dragged myself to the centre and trained! Then everyone from Sport Lived hit Fridays (which is ironically better on Saturdays). We had a class night!
A bit worse for wear, we passed out by the pool for the day. We had a good night just having a laugh in the apartment discussing the past week!
Sun, sea, sand and SPORT! Australia’s sporting prowess is as legendary as the Great Barrier Reef and a Sport Lived programme is your chance to experience both.
Our programmes run to cities across Australia. Click on each city to learn more but be warned, choosing your destination is NOT an easy decision.

Simon heads up the Sport Lived team in Brisbane and is a thoroughbred Queenslander. He’s travelled the world but made Brissy his home, so hear all about his favourite city.
Beautiful one day, perfect the next is the ideal way to describe sunny Queensland. Brisbane is located right at the heart of Queensland and is renowned for its laid-back lifestyle and welcoming atmosphere. It’s hard to go wrong with the tropical climate which leads to long balmy nights spent either on the beach or enjoying a cold drink with friends.
Situated on the magnificent Brisbane River the city is the place to be. It is well known for its bustling night life. Whether you want a couple of drinks in a traditional Australian pub, a night on the dance floor or anything in between, Brisbane has a night spot to suit. Brisbane is very popular among travellers and backpackers as the city is constantly thriving with life.
Brisbane also boasts two of Australia’s best sporting stadiums. The Gabba and Suncorp Stadium host matches of Rugby League, Cricket, Aussie Rules, A League Football, Rugby Union - basically every sport you could wish for!
The city is also just an hour's drive from the stunning Gold Coast, which is known internationally as a popular tourist destination, thanks to its white sandy beaches and crystal clear ocean. Maybe now is the time to take up the opportunity to learn how to surf; or travel up further north to the beautiful rainforests and spectacular waterfalls.
In summary, Brisbane is a fantastic city offering amazing experiences. Your time spent here will be remembered and treasured for life.

Matt has been part of the Sport Lived team in Melbourne for the last few years. Although he was born in the US, he was raised in Melbourne and considers the city home, making him perfectly placed to tell you all about its attractions.
First things first. Whether it be playing professionally, socially with mates, coaching or simply watching on the telly, Melburnians LOVE sport. It doesn't matter where you are - the heart of the city, a country town, or in the suburbs, you will not only find a pub with a TV screen, but also an enthusiastic Aussie crowd to watch the action. In terms of live sport, we have the famous Boxing Day test match, Aussie Open Tennis, Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup – Australia’s most famous horse race.
But there’s more than sport. Most importantly, the Melbourne people are an incredible bunch. There's a warm, community sense that vibrates through the city. The locals are typically laid back and welcoming. They love to show off their city and will probably insist on taking you out on the town, exchanging slang words and introducing you to their mates.
This city is famous as the home of culture in Australia and has amazing art exhibitions, markets, music and comedy festivals; shopping, nightclubs and trendy bars. Whatever your taste, you'll find places in Melbourne dedicated to people like yourself.


See our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.

Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.

Feeling inspired and ready to take the trip of a lifetime?

See our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.

Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.

Feeling inspired and ready to take the trip of a lifetime?

See our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.

Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.

Feeling inspired and ready to take the trip of a lifetime?


See our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.

Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.

Feeling inspired and ready to take the trip of a lifetime?


See our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.

Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.

Feeling inspired and ready to take the trip of a lifetime?


See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.

Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.

Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.


See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.

Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.

Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.


See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.

Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.

Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.

See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.

Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.

Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.

See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.

Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.

Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.