In the game of golf, success is defined by balance, focus, and the ability to adjust to the terrain in front of you. For Zac Watson, a School-Based Trainee from Tamworth, those same skills are being applied far beyond the green.
Zac is redefining what it means to be a “student-leader” in regional NSW. As an elite golfer, he understands the discipline of the long game, but it’s his work within Tamworth’s schools that is truly setting a new standard for youth engagement.
One of the most difficult transitions in youth work is the move from “student” to “staff.” For an SBAT (School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship), this challenge is magnified; you are often working with students who are your own age, in the same town where you go to school.
Zac has navigated this “professional peer” gap with remarkable maturity. While he connects effortlessly with students his own age—speaking their language and understanding their challenges—he maintains a level of professionalism that earns the respect of both staff and peers.
Zac’s commitment to his studies is a wonderful case study for the vocational education model. While some see traineeships as a secondary path, Zac is proving that SBAT studies are a high-performance vehicle for career development.
His ability to balance his academic requirements with his hands-on delivery in schools shows a level of time management and grit that is rare in the high school years. He isn’t just “getting through” his traineeship; he is thriving in it, demonstrating that regional students don’t have to choose between a qualification and real-world impact.
At the same time, Zac has achieved strong results across multiple junior and club competitions, including a 10th-place finish at the Junior International Masters and participation in events like the Illawarra and Northern Rivers Junior Masters At the Tamworth Club Championships, they earned several titles, including Reserve A Grade Scratch and Net wins as well as both Junior Scratch and Net victories. Zac also competed in the Gunnedah Junior Open and were named a finalist for the New England Training Awards. Their journey has been supported by Gimme Golf , which has played an important role in their development.
"Zac’s greatest strength isn't just his skill set; it’s his attitude. He approaches a school session with the same focus he brings to a tournament, but with a relatability that opens doors for the students he works with."
Whether it’s leading a new activity, stepping into a difficult classroom dynamic, or refining his golf swing, Zac loves “giving it a crack.”
Zac’s willingness to embrace the unknown is contagious. When students see a peer like Zac stepping outside his comfort zone with confidence, it gives them the “social permission” to do the same. This is the essence of near-peer mentoring—the idea that the most effective role models are often only a few steps ahead of you.
Want to provide your students with the same opportunities as Zac? Our coaching, teaching, or community leading programs through the Next Steps are here to help them discover their own pathway into employment beyond school.
To learn more about our 20 week Next Steps program contact us
