Year 12 student Ashley Shenker reports on his week taking part in the first week of the Club’s new work experience program.
Two weeks ago 20 aspiring sports employees had the opportunity to partake in a week of work experience at the Melbourne Football Club. The week gave us great insight into the mechanics of an elite football club, and the build-up to a match day.
Located in the famous MCG Great Southern Stand, we undertook tasks ranging from packing 550 showbags for a Junior Footy Clinic at Gosch’s Paddock, to bombarding Assistant Coach Scott West in a mock Press Conference. Every person who took part in the week gained valuable information that can only be gathered through an opportunity such as this.
On the first day we were all taken up to the boardroom where we were lucky enough to watch a presentation about the history and culture of the club. We were then given an insightful look at the top boss’ approach of the running of an AFL club, with CEO Cameron Schwab filming his weekly segment of Whiteboard Wednesday. After a delightful meal at the Trumble Café, we were taken on a tour of the world-renowned stadium, hearing of many folktales of members of the MCC, and having an in-depth look at the history of Australian Sport at the National Sports Museum.
Tuesday was the most practical day of the week, as we assisted the players in running a Footy Clinic for over 600 excited junior members. After packing exactly 550 bags full of gifts and goodies, we headed over to Gosch’s Paddock, where the youngsters were in awe of seeing their heroes doing what they do best, play football. We helped the players run drills varying from handballing and marking, to tackling and goal-kicking.
Back over at the ‘G, the third day of our work experience saw us take part in activities based in the Marketing Department, where we were required to create a new look Melbourne Shop, and put together Membership packs for the upcoming 2011 season. In the afternoon, we were trained in the fields of media and journalism, and were asked to prepare a statement about Ricky Petterd’s hypothetical move to play with the Gold Coast (little did we know, he had just signed a new deal to stay at Melbourne).
Newly finished AAMI Park was our home for Thursday, where the day was spent gaining knowledge from the Football Department. Head Coach Dean Bailey gave us his words of wisdom, and we were then fortunate enough to be involved with training. After a short stint on the track, we were taken back into the obscure looking stadium, where we were able to have a look at all the new facilities used by the Demons, Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Victory. Back in the Zone Room, Opposition Coach David Dunbar took us through the way in which the Demons were going to take on Essendon.
A number of the younger players then nervously addressed us as part of their leadership course, where we were also given the opportunity to ask them questions about their transition into the top level of football in the country.
This all led up to game day, where we were taken through the change rooms by Football Manager, Chris Connolly, then given the assignment to hand out thousands of placards in order to promote the ‘Debt Demolition’ campaign to Melbourne fans as they walked into the ground. Once our tasks for the week had concluded, we were able to watch all our hard work come to fruition, as the Mighty Demons breezed past the Bombers.
It was a week that none of us will ever forget, and we are truly thankful to all of the staff at the Melbourne Football Club for an awesome experience.
Please note: All positions in our 2010 work experience program have now been filled. Applications for our 2011 work experience program will open later in the year.
Two weeks ago 20 aspiring sports employees had the opportunity to partake in a week of work experience at the Melbourne Football Club. The week gave us great insight into the mechanics of an elite football club, and the build-up to a match day.
Located in the famous MCG Great Southern Stand, we undertook tasks ranging from packing 550 showbags for a Junior Footy Clinic at Gosch’s Paddock, to bombarding Assistant Coach Scott West in a mock Press Conference. Every person who took part in the week gained valuable information that can only be gathered through an opportunity such as this.
On the first day we were all taken up to the boardroom where we were lucky enough to watch a presentation about the history and culture of the club. We were then given an insightful look at the top boss’ approach of the running of an AFL club, with CEO Cameron Schwab filming his weekly segment of Whiteboard Wednesday. After a delightful meal at the Trumble Café, we were taken on a tour of the world-renowned stadium, hearing of many folktales of members of the MCC, and having an in-depth look at the history of Australian Sport at the National Sports Museum.
Tuesday was the most practical day of the week, as we assisted the players in running a Footy Clinic for over 600 excited junior members. After packing exactly 550 bags full of gifts and goodies, we headed over to Gosch’s Paddock, where the youngsters were in awe of seeing their heroes doing what they do best, play football. We helped the players run drills varying from handballing and marking, to tackling and goal-kicking.
Back over at the ‘G, the third day of our work experience saw us take part in activities based in the Marketing Department, where we were required to create a new look Melbourne Shop, and put together Membership packs for the upcoming 2011 season. In the afternoon, we were trained in the fields of media and journalism, and were asked to prepare a statement about Ricky Petterd’s hypothetical move to play with the Gold Coast (little did we know, he had just signed a new deal to stay at Melbourne).
Newly finished AAMI Park was our home for Thursday, where the day was spent gaining knowledge from the Football Department. Head Coach Dean Bailey gave us his words of wisdom, and we were then fortunate enough to be involved with training. After a short stint on the track, we were taken back into the obscure looking stadium, where we were able to have a look at all the new facilities used by the Demons, Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Victory. Back in the Zone Room, Opposition Coach David Dunbar took us through the way in which the Demons were going to take on Essendon.
A number of the younger players then nervously addressed us as part of their leadership course, where we were also given the opportunity to ask them questions about their transition into the top level of football in the country.
This all led up to game day, where we were taken through the change rooms by Football Manager, Chris Connolly, then given the assignment to hand out thousands of placards in order to promote the ‘Debt Demolition’ campaign to Melbourne fans as they walked into the ground. Once our tasks for the week had concluded, we were able to watch all our hard work come to fruition, as the Mighty Demons breezed past the Bombers.
It was a week that none of us will ever forget, and we are truly thankful to all of the staff at the Melbourne Football Club for an awesome experience.
Please note: All positions in our 2010 work experience program have now been filled. Applications for our 2011 work experience program will open later in the year.
