Sports Management student living the dream with Sydney Thunder
Eagle eyed cricket fans from Western Sydney University may have spotted one of their classmates joining the on field celebrations as Sydney Thunder won the final (opens in a new window) of the Big Bash League last night. In among the joyous throng featuring some of international cricket's top players was final year Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Sports Management) student Andrew Gilchrist, who has been touring the country as an employee of the Western Sydney based Twenty/20 team.
As Assistant Team Manager for the Thunder, Andrew has worked with players such as Mike Hussey, Shane Watson and Jacques Kallis to help organise logistics for trips and events across Australia.
"It's been a very humbling experience working with such amazing players, especially considering that only a few years ago I was finishing the HSC," says Andrew, who is currently on secondment from his job with the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS.
"My role at the Thunder changed by the hour and by the day, but mainly I worked with the Team Manager to ensure the players had everything they needed ready at hand, whether that's during games or fan days, or even preparing for the next interstate trip."
Andrew says he's always loved watching and playing sport, including cricket, AFL and rugby league, and has long harboured ambitions to help grow a new professional team.
"I've always felt it would be an incredible journey to work for new or emerging teams, rather than established clubs, so to be where I am at the Giants and now the Thunder in their formative moments is a dream come true. It's been an amazing ride so far, and I'm still just at the start of my career. The sky's the limit."
Sports Management lecturer Keith Parry is not surprised at Andrew's success.
"We knew that Andrew would do well and encouraged him to apply to work with the GIANTS," he says.
"He is passionate for sport and has been proactive in finding opportunities to gain experience and new skills while studying. The knowledge he has gained during his time at Western Sydney is helping him on his journey."
"Our program is doing well at the moment; we have a netball World Champion in Paige Hadley, and now a Big Bash League winner in Andrew," Parry added.
When he enrolled in the Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Sports Management), Andrew was always hoping to work with a big sporting franchise, but he had no idea it would happen so quickly.
"I had just finished my second year of the degree when I applied for a job with the GIANTS Fan Development team, and the degree was really helpful in preparing me for the interview and the industry," Andrew remarks.
"It shows how you have to take every opportunity when it comes as you'll never know where it leads. Hopefully this is just the start of my journey."
Ends
25 January 2016
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