Reuben’s recommendation
What can Riley do?
Give a quick overview of your work experience (jobs, internships, volunteering)?
I work as a development officer at little athletics SA, as a School services officer in a primary school.
Am on the committee at my local little athletics club, have done coaching at my local little athletics, soccer and cricket clubs.
Have done volunteer work as a membership analyst for SACA, also worked with their commercial team doing a range of things from analysing and innovating social media assets for them to sell, or analysing MoU’s and deliverables in sponsor contracts
Do you have a track record of delivering measurable outcomes or KPIs?
I was on a committee that saw a record number of attendants at my little athletics club.
I have delivered successful coaching programs at my local sport clubs, as well as delivering successful learning programs at my school.
For my studies I was in a group that delivered a successful post-match event for the Adelaide Strikers NYE match.
What technical or industry-specific skills do you bring?
Understanding of partnerships, commercial aspects of sport.
Knowledge in coaching children at different ages.
Technical knowledge of fan engagement, game development and leadership within a business setting
What tools/platforms/software are they proficient in?
Zendesk support centre.
Excel,
Sport80 registration platform.
Teams,
Social Media.
What qualifications, certifications, or degrees do you hold?
Diploma of sport management,
Certificate 3 fitness.
I can also get along with multiple personalities and love learning about anything, not just sport.
I will be able to show everyone how to dance to some Brazilian phonk music. Can’t samba though sorry.
What steps has Riley taken to break into the sports industry?
Expanding my network through LinkedIn, having meetings with people.
Expanding my knowledge through reading every day and being proactive with my work.
Working/volunteering 7 days a week to expand my knowledge and experience further.
Being proactive with creating my own volunteer roles
Riley’s interest in sport all started when Adelaide United came to his school to train when he was just six years old.
When I was 6 years old, Adelaide United came to train at my local country soccer club where my dad is president. I was in year 1, and my dad pulled me out of school for what I still believe is the only time ever. We drove down to the ground, buzzing with excitement. When we got there I was in disbelief, shocked, that I was standing with my heroes that I drove an hour to see play every week. And they were training on the same grounds that I played on every week hoping to be like them one day. After getting to see them train and getting photos with them, it cemented my dream of becoming a professional soccer player. Although that hasn’t come true,it has influenced my passion for working in sport, as I believe that every kid should be able to have a dream like I had.
Since then, Riley has gone on to work in the athletics industry, achieving things like
Generating record attendance | Delivering events for the BBL | Taken opportunities to volunteer |
|---|---|---|
I was on a committee that saw a record number of attendants at my little athletics club. I have delivered successful coaching programs at my local sport clubs, as well as delivering successful learning programs at my school | For my studies I was in a group that delivered a successful post-match event for the Adelaide Strikers NYE game. | Have done volunteer work as a membership analyst for SACA, also worked with their commercial team doing a range of things from analysing and innovating social media assets for them to sell, or analysing MoU’s and deliverables in sponsor contracts |
Where does Riley want to go?
Next six months | Next 12 months | Next 5-10 years |
|---|---|---|
I am striving for a full time job in sport, either in community or commercial aspects of sport. I want to consistently learn more about sport and myself. | Have found a job and to have a healthy life and working with a team that values me and that I can contribute positively to | To have expanded my career and working in a manager role within sport. Have worked overseas and expanded my personal brand and network. |
What sporting problem keeps Riley up at night?
I’d love to solve the accessibility problem in community sports. Especially in soccer, every kid should have the option to play sport if they want and not be priced out of sport.
What is Riley like?
What kind of environment do you thrive in?
One where mistakes are accepted, and I have clarity around my role. One I can learn in and possibly learn across different roles as well
When have you had to show resilience in your life or career?
At the moment, I have been expanding my career and learning to be industry wanted for over 6 months now. It can be a highly worrying time, and doubts do creep in whether it will ever happen and if I am smart enough for a job in sport. In my own sport, I was injured all of this year which was obviously difficult not being able to play with my friends. I also returned for a couple weeks then re-injured myself, which was a major setback for myself and my confidence. Before then I was not meeting my own personal goals around my soccer career. I had to realise most of these were not in my coin trim and that I was doing what I could control and to keep belief in myself when things weren’t going my way for a long while.
What about Riley’s interests outside of work?
What are your interests outside of work?
Playing soccer for my club, reading, hanging out with my mates, surfing, golfing and scrolling on Instagram lol
What is your favourite sporting moment?
Ashes 2013/14 watching that as a kid. Australia in the world cups, especially 2022. Also a recent favourite is watching a futebol at the Maracaná in Brasil
What’s your ideal holiday?
Brasil 😝 (I am in Brasil as I write this). Or Eastern Europe would be very cool. I love good views and relaxing on holiday so anywhere I can do that. Also so where I can watch soccer lol
If you had 30 minutes to pick the brain of anyone, who would it be and why?
Probably my future self to be intrigued at how I turned out lol and my mindset towards things
What’s book or podcast that’s helped your career you recommend?
The law of attraction is helping me at the moment with my mindset toward things. Code wars is another beauty that just has so much knowledge about sports
Additional details
Where in the world are you located, and where are you open to work?
Living in Adelaide, open to work anywhere in the world
What is the most important consideration for you in your next role?
A manager that can help me learn and a role that allows me to expand my knowledge and improve.
What others say about Riley
Riley is a great learner and someone I’ve loved teaching throughout his time at little athletics- Daniel Pauli, Little Athletics SA.
Riley is a great development officer who has great initiate and skills with multiple age groups- Kainen Heath, Little Athletics SA
What questions does Riley have employers?
What makes your organisation stand out from a work point of view?
What would a successful person look like in this role over the next 6-12 months?
What are the key learnings that you find in this role/ organisation?
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