Skip to main content
Start of main content.

Bond teams gain leadership skills

They have helped some of the most successful sporting sides in Australia and now the Leading Teams company is working with Bond University to take their athletes and staff to the next level.

The aim is to build the university's next leaders on and off the field.

The relationship between Bond and Leading Teams, a training and skills development business, has strengthened during the COVID-19 crisis.

"We can't understate how much of an impact Leading Teams has had on our program, particularly through this pandemic," said Bond's AFL general manager Michael Swann.

"It's really easy for sporting teams to get bogged down in the minutiae of game plans and structures, but working with Leading Teams has given us the framework to start open and honest conversations.

"It's all about how those mechanical elements just cannot work effectively unless you're placing at least an equal focus on the more dynamic elements: connection and engagement."

Leading Teams facilitator Aaron Rogers, a former Sydney Swans player and Gold Coast Suns coach, said the focus was developing culture and empowerment.

"Bond has been really impressive during COVID-19," Rogers said. "This is forcing people to lead and we are seeing who steps up and who really wants to lead.

"So when it comes back to the season, training and games, they'll have all this experience to draw on."

Leading Teams has helped Bond's Aussie rules, rugby and netball teams develop a trademark, which is driven and owned by the players.

It's a philosophy that helped Sydney claim their first AFL premiership, and benefited the Parramatta NRL team and the Australian Diamonds netball squad.

"You can work in any great sporting team or organisation and see fancy words on a wall," Rogers said

"But unless you are actually using them as part of your language and you really believe in them, then they are just picture frames."

More from Bond

  • Picture gallery, video: Kumai Karulbo Indigenous Gala

    More than 400 people gathered at Bond University to raise funds for Indigenous scholarships.

    Read article
  • Ford revved up to take charge of Bull Sharks

    After a year's apprenticeship as a playing assistant coach under AFL legend Shaun Hart, Kain Ford is ready to step up to the senior role for 2025.

    Read article
  • From Bond University to the All Blacks XV

    Bond alumni and Club Sport Manager Loic Fougere took another step towards his dream of a career in professional sport through a week embedded with New Zealand Rugby.

    Read article
  • Gulia proves he too can Hackett

    Fellow Bondy Grant Hackett inspired Sandeep Gulia to a swimming gold medal at the Pan Pacific Masters on the Gold Coast.

    Read article
  • Bull Sharks create history with Caslick Cup three-peat

    Our State Champion Bull Sharks have now won every major 7s and 15s rugby trophy for the past three years.

    Read article
Previous Next