Maddie Head
It was always my career goal to work for the AFL and I was able to achieve this through my studies...
My passion for sport meant pursuing a career within the sports industry was an obvious choice. Upon finishing high school, I knew the industry I wanted to work in but was unsure of the specific sector. UTS were the only university in NSW that offered a flexible Sports Management degree with a wide variety of career opportunities. Initially, I was interested in exploring physiotherapy or exercise physiology but I after finishing my first year, I decided to work towards the management sector and focus on sports development. The flexibility of the degree meant my career ambitions could change throughout my studies and I could choose elective subjects in specific areas of interest.
The theoretical components of the degree ensured I was equipped with a sound understanding of the sports industry while the practical components were invaluable in developing my skills and ultimately helped secure future employment. I completed the compulsory internship at Football Federation Australia where I worked on the roll-out of the MyFootballClub registration program. During my internship, I was fortunate to be offered employment with the Western Sydney Wanderers during their inaugural season. I worked with the Membership Team at the Wanderers on a casual basis for their first two seasons which provided me with the experience I needed to gain full-time employment.
After graduating, I worked as a Sports Development Officer with Wheelchair Sports NSW where I was responsible for delivering sports programs and events for people with spinal cord injuries and physical disabilities. I managed a portfolio of sports where my diverse role allowed me to gain experience with sports development, event management, marketing, membership, sponsorship and athlete grants. UTS could not have prepared me better for this role, as I used both management and sports science principles learnt throughout my studies on a daily basis.
Currently, I work for the Sydney Swans as the Operations Manager of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy. This involves coordinating facilities, training programs, communications, coaching staff, medical staff, training programs, games and talent search events. It was always my career goal to work for the AFL and I was able to achieve this at a young age due to the knowledge and experience I gained through my studies at UTS which ultimately prepared me for a promising career within the competitive sports industry.
