Nisura puts Holmesglen skills into play at FIFA Women’s World Cup

Holmesglen graduate Nisura Balasooriya kicked some career goals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, coordinating pop‑up structures at fan sites and stadium precincts across the event. His story shows how a construction management course translates into real logistics, safety and stakeholder outcomes on the world stage.​

Nisura, who studied the Bachelor of Construction Management and Economics, managed the pop-up structure logistics at multiple World Cup fan sites and stadia.

Upon completion of his studies, Nisura was hired by SPACECUBE, a construction firm specialising in rapid-build solutions and assembling flat-packable structures up to three-storeys.

Nisura coordinated the assembly and dismantlement of the pop-up cubes, plus the logistics of the structures’ transportation to various sites across Australia.

"FIFA has strict regulations, and we had to carefully record every movement of the trucks transporting the structures," Nisura explains.

"I felt fortunate to be involved in such a significant global event. It was exciting to build the temporary structures, receive progress pictures from the sites, and see the finished product."

Each SPACECUBE structure was used for promotions and merchandise sales by FIFA and its sponsors, including major soft drink, footwear and vehicle brands.

Prominent locations included Sydney’s Stadium Australia, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and Melbourne’s Federation Square and Rectangular Stadium.

Holmesglen blends hands-on learning, purpose-built facilities, and strong industry connections, preparing graduates to contribute quickly and safely on-site in Australia’s dynamic construction market. Leadership opportunities and student support help develop the communication and professionalism needed for client‑facing roles in construction management.​

As a sports fan and passionate construction professional, Nisura loved being part of an international event that sold one million tickets and reached an expected global audience of two billion people.

Nisura has also had the opportunity to work on rapid builds for the Australian Open and the Australian Grand Prix, and will shortly begin working on pop-up cubes for the Melbourne Cup.

He credits his study experience at Holmesglen for providing him with the tools to start working in the construction industry upon completing his degree.

“I had to study quite a bit of theory, but the assignments were real-life projects and reports. They really helped prepare me for real-life work and held me to a high standard.”

An international student from Sri Lanka, Nisura is an advocate for the transformative power of TAFE. During his time at Holmesglen, he was chair of the Student Representative Council (SRC).

Even after graduating, Nisura remains connected to Holmesglen as a student ambassador, sharing his experiences with prospective students and showcasing the various study pathways.