

The Sport Lived Cricket Academy gives you the chance to play and train in Brisbane, Queensland’s picturesque state capital. Our course provides the ultimate cricketing experience: you’ll receive elite coaching and have access to outstanding training facilities.
Our cricket academy programme runs for 4 - 10 weeks from January – March. Whilst on the programme you’ll train at the academy during the week and play matches for a local cricket club at the weekends. You’ll live 15 minutes from the academy in city centre accommodation with other Sport Lived participants.
Your training at the Academy will be led by world-class coaches. Our team includes specialists in a variety of disciplines so that all aspects of your sporting development will be covered.
Read the profiles of your coaching team below and prepare to be blown away by their experience and enthusiasm.



Regular social events are organised for players attending the academy. These include bush trips, days out at the beach and an end of programme dinner

Australian cricket clubs enjoy an unrivalled reputation for their social activities! Pub crawls, fancy dress parties, BBQs and nights out at sporting events will ensure there’s never a dull moment.

You’ll live alongside other Sport Lived participants who are playing and coaching a wide variety of sports. This provides a ready made group of friends for you to get together with and 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 event, a traditional Aussie barbie, pub golf, etc.
We’ve assembled a high quality coaching team to deliver the academy programme. You'll receive tuition from leading coaches, sports psychologists and fitness experts who’ll analyse and develop every area of your game. The coaching at the academy will focus on:
You’ll receive one on one coaching, net sessions and drills to work on batting, bowling and fielding skills.
Specialist coaching sessions focusing on all aspects of the physical game including strength, power, speed, agility and endurance development.
This is a key area for cricket development, working on mental skill development. Coaches will work with you on goal setting, overcoming negative thinking, pre-game preparation, visualisation, etc.
Academy students learn about wider aspects of organisation, sport and cricket. You’ll undertake lessons in diet and nutrition, injury prevention, tactical and decision making development and time management.
No. Cricketers of all abilities can attend the cricket academy where they’ll receive high quality coaching and play matches for a club at the weekends.
The programmes are intensive so most players don’t work during their time at the academy. We therefore suggest that you obtain an Australia Tourist Visa which your travel agent should be able to organise for you.
If you plan to extend your trip and work in Australia then you should obtain an Australian Working Holiday Visa. This visa enables you to live and work in Australia for up to 12 months.
Yes, all players on the programme train with a club during the week and play matches at the weekends.
When you arrive, you’ll receive shorts and training shirts. You’ll also receive a Sport Lived hoodie.
All academy sessions take place at the University of Queensland. The university is just 15 minutes from the city centre and has some of the best sporting facilities in Australia.
When you arrive at the academy a thorough assessment will be made of your strengths and weaknesses. This assessment provides the basis of your training programme at the academy. Performance objectives are set and continually reviewed as development progresses.
The academy has an in-house sports medicine facility which includes physiotherapy, massage therapists and sports physicians.
You’ll have access to superb facilities to help improve all aspects of your game.

A typical weekly schedule on the 10 week programme is shown below. During the programme you’ll work on all areas of your game. In addition, you’ll also play matches with a club at the weekends and attend club practices during the week
In addition to training at the academy, you’ll join a cricket club in Brisbane. You’ll attend mid-week training sessions and play matches at the weekends.
Playing for a local club will enable you to put the academy coaching into practice in weekly competitive matches.
Playing and training with a club also enables you to integrate into the local community, meet new people and make new friends.
Most cricket clubs in Brisbane have 4-6 senior men’s teams and some also have women’s teams. Some of our cricket clubs in Brisbane have state and international cricketers, so you’ll have the opportunity to play alongside some very talented players.
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.


...of Harry Bush, a batting allrounder from Ipswich, who attended the Sport Lived cricket academy between January and March.
Academy session this morning where we had a net followed by throw-downs. Lunch followed by sprint work and then a weights session. Watched cricket on TV in the evening.
Gym session in the morning followed by some food shopping. Club training in the afternoon followed by beers with teammates at the Regatta Hotel.
Another cricket session this morning where I worked on my bowling. Watched Twenty20 match between Queensland and NSW with Sport Lived crew at the Gabba in the evening.
Clothes shopping at Queen Street Mall this morning. Club nets in the afternoon where we discussed plans for the weekend. Went out in ‘the valley’ after training.
Sore head this morning. Did batting drills at the academy in the afternoon. Feel in good touch for tomorrow. Watched a movie before getting an early night.
Match day. We win the toss, bowl them out for 270 and we’re 30-0 at the close. I took 1 wicket but bowled well. Beers with cricket lads that night.
Stiff from bowling yesterday. Catch a train to the Gold Coast where we chill out at the beach. Dan cooks a meal for us in the evening.
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 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 our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.

Find out about gaining valuable work experience whilst overseas.

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


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

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

Find out about gaining valuable work experience whilst overseas.

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


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

Find out about gaining valuable work experience whilst overseas.

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


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

Find out about gaining valuable work experience whilst overseas.

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


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

Find out about gaining valuable work experience whilst overseas.

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


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.