The Brisbane Lions are proud to showcase the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring to life everything the Club does both on and off the field.
As part of the series, the Club will highlight staff members from various departments—their roles, backgrounds, challenges, and advice—to give a snapshot of what it’s like to work for the Brisbane Lions.
Off the back of the Brisbane Lions Legacy Appeal, the Club thought it would be a great opportunity to highlight one of our long-term employees and current Head of Lions Legacy Program Ashley Drake.
We sat down with Ash as he gave us insight into what it’s like to be a part of the Lions pride.
How long have you been at the Club, and what different roles have you been involved in?
I’ve been at the Lions for over 10 years in a range of roles across both the Football and administration departments, starting as the VFL team runner and a part-time Academy coach in 2010.
In 2012, I came on full-time as an Academy coach and worked closely with our list management team as a Talent Identification and Recruiter for five seasons.
After a brief stint away from the Club in 2018, I returned in 2019 as part of the Commercial team, I am now Head of The Lions Legacy Program which is the Brisbane Lions’ central fundraising initiative, honouring the Past, supporting the Present, and securing the Future of our club and community. Centered on the Academy and talent pathways, Lions Legacy goes beyond football—promoting health and wellbeing, advancing education, fostering inclusivity, and deepening respect through cultural connection.
What are a few of the best things about working at the Brisbane Lions?
There are a number of perks to working at an AFL Club.
For me, the biggest one is the incredible support the Club provides for my young family, it allows me to do my job to the best of my ability.
Being able to bring my daughter Frankie and son Sid into work and let them roam the corridors of the Lions during the school holidays is pretty special.
What are some of the challenges of working in sport?
There are quite a few unique challenges in this industry, and time management is a skill you learn very quickly.
Weekend and after-hours work are a big part of working in sport, and juggling your time effectively can definitely be tough.
What are some of the lessons you’ve learnt during your time at the Club?
Things move very quickly in this industry, you have to think on your feet and make decisions with little notice.
I’ve found that sometimes it’s better to make a decision and ask for forgiveness later rather than wait for permission, because the opportunity might be gone by then.
What advice would you give to young people wanting to get involved in the industry?
The sports industry is fast-paced and hectic, but also a lot of fun. In my experience, people who are "do-ers" really thrive in this environment.
Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty, volunteering at sporting events is a great way to get your foot in the door.
What would be your goal song?
Thank God I’m a Country Boy
Favourite player(s)?
I don’t want to be biased, so my daughter Frankie’s favourite is AFLW vice-captain Nat Grider, and my son Sid’s favourite player is AFL co-captain Lachie Neale.
Favourite moment or experience from working at the Lions?
After many years at the Club, I’ve experienced both highs and lows.
Personally, my first live draft experience with Steve Conole (National Recruiting Manager) was incredible.
Since moving into administration, there have been many highlights. Seeing both the AFL and AFLW teams succeed has been amazing.
One standout was the 2022 Semi-Final win over Melbourne at the MCG. The staff who weren’t at the game got together to watch at the Pineapple Hotel and were able to celebrate together alongside family and friends – made for one of the all-time great nights.
Last year’s Grand Final week and win was also an unforgettable experience, especially having my family there to share it with me.
You can learn more about the Lions Legacy Program here!
