Johnathan Thurston Academy: How Thurston Academy Builds Leadership Skills in Young Australians

Leadership is not something you are born with; it is something you grow into. In today’s fast-paced and diverse world, developing leadership skills in youth is more than an educational goal—it is a national priority. The Jonathan Thurston Academy (JTA), founded by one of Australia’s most respected and influential sports figures, has emerged as a leading force in empowering young Australians to become confident, capable, and community-driven leaders.

Through culturally inclusive, value-driven programs that span employment readiness, personal development, and education, JTA is making leadership accessible to youth from diverse backgrounds. This article examines how the Jonathan Thurston Academy fosters leadership in young Australians and why its approach is garnering national attention for its authenticity and impact.

Why Leadership Skills Matter in Today’s Youth

The world is changing rapidly, and the challenges facing young Australians are complex. Social inequality, digital pressure, mental health concerns, and future workforce uncertainties demand a generation of youth that is resilient, empathetic, and empowered.

Building leadership in youth helps them:

• Develop confidence and decision-making skills
• Communicate effectively across diverse settings
• Stand up for themselves and others
• Become proactive in their communities
• Prepare for future professional and personal success

The Jonathan Thurston Academy is deeply invested in shaping this future.

JTA’s Mission: Empowerment Through Leadership

JTA was established by Johnathan Thurston, a rugby league icon and passionate advocate for youth and Indigenous communities. JT’s leadership journey—from overcoming disadvantage to captaining Queensland and representing Australia—inspires the Academy’s philosophy:

“Don’t be scared of failing. Be scared of not giving it a go.”

JTA integrates this mindset across its programming, using culturally respectful, youth-led, and impact-driven models to cultivate leadership at every level.

Leadership Through Structured, Impactful Programs

JTA’s core leadership-building programs include:

1. JTBelieve

This initiative focuses on school engagement and self-discovery. Youth learn to lead through:

• Personal storytelling and self-reflection
• Goal setting and progress tracking
• Leadership exercises that involve peer-to-peer feedback
• Family and community connection

JTBelieve builds foundational confidence and a sense of direction, both critical for leadership.

2. JTLeadLikeAGirl

Designed for young women, especially from Indigenous and regional backgrounds, this program promotes female leadership by:

• Addressing barriers in self-esteem and social expectations
• Encouraging body confidence and communication
• Providing role models and safe environments for growth

Workshops in this stream are structured to help girls lead both in their schools and communities.

3. JTYouGotThis

This early intervention program reaches youth aged 11–17 who may be disengaged from education or at risk of negative outcomes.

Key leadership benefits include:

• Emotional intelligence and behaviour management
• Conflict resolution and empathy-building
• Peer mentoring and social responsibility

Leadership, here, is reframed as making good choices and setting examples for others.

4. JTSucceed

A work-readiness program that blends leadership with career planning. It includes:

• Resume and interview skills
• Conflict resolution and empathy-building
• Employer engagement for real-world exposure

Youth gain the confidence to lead in the workplace, with many transitioning into mentors themselves.

JTA’s Leadership Development Philosophy

What makes JTA different is not just the content of its programs but the way they are delivered. The Academy embeds leadership development across every activity and uses these core pillars:

1. Relatable Mentorship

Facilitators and mentors often come from similar cultural and social backgrounds as participants. This relatability builds trust and inspires belief.

2. Safe and Inclusive Spaces

Every session is structured to ensure emotional safety, especially for Indigenous youth, young women, and marginalised groups. Respect, identity, and inclusion are non-negotiable.

3. Storytelling and Culture

Leadership at JTA honours tradition. Participants are encouraged to share their stories, learn from Elders, and draw on cultural strengths.

4. Action and Reflection

Youth are encouraged to lead initiatives within programs, receive constructive feedback, and reflect on their growth.

Case Examples: Leadership in Action

In schools across Queensland and remote communities, JTA participants have taken leadership beyond the classroom:

• Students organising peer-led support groups
• Young women leading school assemblies after JTLeadLikeAGirl
• Youth returning to school to mentor others
• Participants gaining part-time jobs and stepping into leadership roles at work

These transformations are not abstract—they are real, measurable, and ongoing.

Leadership for Indigenous Youth: A Special Focus

As a proud Indigenous Australian, JT ensures that JTA prioritises leadership for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. This includes:

• Elders’ involvement in sessions
• Cultural activities such as yarning circles and art
• Emphasis on identity, strength, and responsibility to community

Young Indigenous Australians often express that, for the first time, they see themselves as leaders because someone finally believed in them.

How Schools and Communities Can Foster Leadership with JTA

JTA actively partners with:

• Schools: To deliver in-school and holiday programs
• Local councils and NGOs: To co-host leadership and mentoring initiatives
• Employers: To provide leadership pathways through internships and work experience

Community-driven collaboration ensures that leadership development is localised, relevant, and sustained.

Leading Australia into the Future

The Jonathan Thurston Academy is more than an educational institution—it’s a movement. A movement that believes every young person, regardless of background, can lead with purpose. By embedding leadership into everyday learning, building on cultural identity, and offering consistent mentorship, JTA is transforming lives across Australia.

If we want a stronger, fairer, more united future, it starts by investing in the leadership potential of today’s youth.

Take the Next Step. Visit jtacademy.com.au or contact info@jtacademy.com.au to learn how you can support or enrol in Australia’s most impactful youth leadership programs.