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Media Release
TAFE NSW Wollongong | 14 October 2026
Young snowboarder carves path to success through sport and study
’Studying at TAFE NSW gave me the flexibility to continue with my snowboarding and study at my own pace.’
Hartley Zietsch, TAFE NSW Certificate II in Career Pathways graduate
A young snowboarder is chasing his dreams of competing on the world stage. He completed his secondary schooling through TAFE NSW while balancing training and competition.
Every winter, 15-year-old Hartley Zietsch and his family move from Wollongong to Jindabyne so he can train full-time in the Snowy Mountains. As his snowboarding commitments grew, a traditional school timetable became harder to manage.
Hartley enrolled in the TAFE NSW Certificate II in Career Pathways, a course that is equivalent to Year 10. He completed the course this year and earned his Record of School Achievement (RoSA).
“Travelling so much for snowboarding made it hard to get any schoolwork completed. It was difficult because I was away for so long and it took me a long time to catch up on the work I missed,” Hartley said.
“Studying at TAFE NSW meant I was in control of my learning and more dedicated to completing my work. My teachers at TAFE NSW were really encouraging, kind and helpful. Their support was key in helping me achieve my RoSA,” he said.
His hard work is already paying off. Recent achievements include:
- Selection in the 2025/2026 Snow Australia Emerging Talent Program
- First place in the Grom division at the 2026 World Rookie Tour Finals in Italy
- Sportsperson of the Year at the 2026 Wollongong Youth Excellence Awards.
Head Teacher at TAFE NSW Wollongong, Amber Weyman, said Hartley’s story shows how flexible learning can help students succeed.
“Hartley is proof that young people can achieve great things when education is flexible enough to meet them where they are in life. His success shows that learning doesn't have to fit a traditional mould to be meaningful and effective,” Amber said.
“Hartley successfully completed his studies with us while balancing the demands of high-level training and his competition schedule, including overseas commitments. We were able to offer an approach that allowed him to pursue and achieve both his educational and sporting goals.”
When training full-time, Hartley spends five days a week snowboarding at Perisher with his coach and teammates. He also completes physiotherapy, personal training and airbag training while working part-time at a ski hire business. Even with his success, Hartley is open-minded about the future.
“I just want to be a good person. Once my snowboarding career wraps up, I’d like to study personal training at TAFE NSW, or possibly become a snowboard coach,” he said.
“But for now, I want to continue having fun, competing and seeing where snowboarding takes me.”
Media enquiries only: Rob Virtue, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.
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