What can Tarniell do?
Give a quick overview of your work experience (jobs, internships, volunteering)?
I recently graduated in Sport Management where I gained hands on experience in a Commercial Internship with the Box Hill Hawks (VFL), where I supported sponsorships, match day event operations and gained insight into the business side of sport.
I've worked in the event industry for almost 4 years in Patron Services and Merchandise at Melbourne and Olympic Parks, working across large scale events such as the Australian Open, FIFA Women's World Cup and concerts.
I've also gained strong customer service and operational skills across a range of hospitality, sport and recreation and retail roles such as a Swimming Instructor and Fit Technician.
Do you have a track record of delivering measurable outcomes or KPIs?
During peak back to school periods at The Athletes Foot I exceeded my daily KPI numerous times. On one shift my target was $2500 + 5 insoles, and I ended up selling $4200 and 11 insoles.
I also contacted over 35 companies and sourced more than $1000 worth of donations as raffle prizes for the Box Hill Hawks functions.
What technical or industry-specific skills do you bring?
I bring experience in customer based event operations, stakeholder management, and partnerships within sporting environments.
Through my internship with the Box Hill Hawks, I worked on sponsorship servicing (contracts, reporting their insights on our social media platforms) membership campaigns, match day function coordination and creating promotional materials using Canva to support event initiatives.
At Melbourne and Olympic Parks, I have hands on experience in large scale event delivery, including crowd management, fan engagement, and technology such as POS Systems.
What tools/platforms/software are they proficient in?
I have experience using POS Systems for high volume transactions
Experience using Canva to create marketing and promotional materials for events and fundraising initiatives
I have intermediate proficiency in Microsoft excel for data tracking, as well as general experience across Microsoft Office suite MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint
What qualifications, certifications, or degrees do you hold?
I hold a Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) from Deakin University, with 8 units completed on a study abroad at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the USA under their Mark McCormack Department of Sport Management.
I have a Swimming Instructor Qualification, as well as Responsible Service of Alcohol, Gaming Licence and Working with Children's Check.
My connection to sport runs deep, but what really sets me apart is my willingness to take action and back myself.
One of the biggest examples of this was choosing to study abroad in Massachusetts, USA. As someone who can be quite introverted, moving to a completely new country for a year where I had no friends or connections pushed me well outside my comfort zone, but it’s also one of the best decisions I’ve made. That experience didn’t just build my confidence, it gave me a broader understanding of the global sports industry. Being exposed to collegiate sport and leagues like the NHL, MLB and NBA allowed me to see firsthand how different organisations approach fan engagement, game day experiences and the partnerships they form. It completely shifted the way I think about sport, not just as a game, but as an experience you can create for fans.
I’ve also built hands on experience working in high performance, fast paced sporting and entertainment events. These roles have taught me how to manage high pressure situations, engage with diverse crowds, solve problems quickly, and contribute to delivering seamless event experiences. I’m also very self-aware and am always looking to grow.
I’m constantly looking for ways to improve and put myself in the best position to succeed. I bring a combination of practical experience, global perspective, strong work ethic and genuine passion for sport. I’m adaptable, positive and am always willing to step in where needed, and I care about getting the details right as I know that’s what helps shape a fans experience.
When organisations take a punt on me, they’ll be getting someone who is not only passionate, but someone who is driven, self-aware and committed to making a real impact, and someone who even rewatches games many times as not only do they bring me joy, but it also helps me understand what made the experience so memorable.
What steps has Tarniell taken to break into the sports industry?
I’ve taken a proactive approach to breaking into the industry by consistently applying for roles, I’ve applied for over 30 positions so far, and using each application as a way to better understand what clubs and organisations are looking for. I’ve been analysing job descriptions across organisations both in Australia and the US to identify skills and areas I need to keep developing.
I’ve also build hands on experience through my internship and event based roles, working in fast paced environments like 3 Australian Opens, VFL, FIFA Womens World Cup and rugby matches. These experiences have given me practical insight into event operations, fan engagement and stakeholder interaction.
I’ve also become more intentional about building my network by sending requests to individuals in the industry both here in Australia and the USA. While I can be naturally introverted, I’ve recognised the importance of connections in this industry and have started pushing myself out of my comfort zone. It’s something I’m actively working on, and I’ve already seen growth in my confidence over the last couple of months.
I believe being a part of the SportsGrad program will further assist me in pushing myself to get out there professionally, gain further guidance, structure and support as I continue working towards my goal of building a career in sport.
Tarniell’s interest in sport all started from when she got her first Hawks Membership
When I was around 10, when my dad got me a Hawthorn membership and I began going to games regularly. Around the same time, I started playing netball, which I continued for 10 years. Those experiences made me realise how powerful sport is in bringing people together and creating that sense of community. Over time, my passion shifted from just being a fan to wanting to be part of what happens behind the scenes, I became really interested in how those experiences are created, and I knew I wanted to play a role in delivering them. That was reinforced when I studied abroad in the USA, where I got the chance to experience a wider range of sports like NCAA Ice Hockey and Basketball, as well as NHL and MLB games. The energy and fan engagement were incredible, and it confirmed that I wantg to build a career creating those kinds of experiences, both in Australia and, hopefully long term in the USA.
Since then, Tarniell has gone on to work in various roles, achieving things like
Outperforming sales targets | Securing sponsorship from scratch |
|---|
At The Athletes Foot during peak periods, she hit 168% of her sales KPI in a single shift | She contacted over 35 companies and sourced more than $1000 worth of donations as raffle prizes for the Box Hill Hawks functions. |
Where does Tarniell want to go?
Next 6 - 12 months | Next 5-10 years | Next 5-10 years contd. |
|---|---|---|
Secure a full time role in the sports industry, ideally in fan engagement, game day, event coordination, or partnerships. I also hope to have built a larger network in the industry and develop more of my skills and build my experience. | I see myself hopefully in roles where i can contribute to delivering high quality experiences and building strong connections with fans. Long term, I aspire to work in the US, particularly in Massachusetts. During my time there at college, I was exposed to a wider range of sports and developed a real appreciation and love for the culture around those leagues. | I'd also love to bring my learnings from the Australian Sport Industry into that environment, and bring a different perspective to how fan experiences and events are delivered. Ultimately, my goal is to build a career that allows me to contribute to the sports industry both in Australia and internationally. |
What sporting problem keeps you up at night, and how would you solve it?
One problem in sport that I'd love to solve is improving fan engagement on game days, particularly for youth and communities that don't often get the opportunity to participate in these sports.
Working at sporting events like the Australian Open, AFL, and soccer matches, and attending them as a fan, I've noticed that moments like AusKick half-time games are always a highlight; they get children involved, excited, and feeling part of the sport. In the US, for example, I realised from my College Athletics class and talking to some student athletes that reaching the point of playing at a college level can be quite costly, which limits opportunities for young people to participate and engage.
I'd love to work on initiatives that create more accessible and inclusive experiences for fans, whether this is before, during, or after games, or at their local sporting club, helping more fans and young athletes feel connected to sport and inspired to stay involved.
What is Tarniell like?
What kind of environment do you thrive in?
I thrive in fast paced and team environments.
I also enjoy/thrive environments that are collaborative but allow me to take initiative.
When have you had to show resilience in your life or career?
While working at the Australian Open, I have to enforce the rope off system in the arena. If this sounds new, it's basically a tennis etiquette system where patrons seated in the lower section can only go back to their seats at the end of a game/set/break, however if a patron is seated in the upper section, then they can move freely whenever they please.
Over the 3 AO's I've worked, this is a common situation where patrons get frustrated and upset with me when they couldn't move as freely as the upper section and how 'they paid more money than the upper section so they should be able to go down whenever', even though it was a rule I had no control over.
In these situations, I had to stay calm, empathetic and professional, explaining the rule clearly while managing their frustration. As this was common, it taught me a lot about resilience, patience and communication under pressure, as well as how to maintain a positive experience for fans, even in tricky situations.
What about Tarniell interests outside of work?
What are your interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I love reading, especially fantasy and romance books. I love being able to escape into fictional worlds, and I’ll admit I’m a big fan of a good sports romance, which I find myself reading quite often. I also enjoy travelling to new places with new cultures, going to the gym and I’m a big fan of early 2000s TV shows – at the moment I’m obsessed with Smallville and One Tree Hill.
Outside of that, I'm obviously a huge sports fan, I can spend hours rewatching old Hawks games just because I can, like the 2024 AFL Elimination Final against the Bulldogs has definitely been watched way too many times. I also love staying up to random hours of the morning to watch live F1 races and NHL games, just to catch the action as it happens.
I also really enjoy cooking and prepare dinner for my family every night; I'd like to think I'm practically a Michelin Star chef at this point!
What is your favourite sporting moment?
My favourite sporting moment is in the 2015 AFL Grand Final when Luke Hodge kicked an absolute ripper of a goal off one step from the boundary line 40 metres out. Something about that moment just tickles my brain, it was so out of no where and the energy of the crowd afterwards just created one of those moments as a hawks fan you'll never forget about.
What’s your ideal holiday?
I've always dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights at Christmas, so my ideal holiday would include a first class flight to Norway or Finland (first class is definitely a stretch, but a girl can hope!), exploring the snow, seeing reindeer, going on dog sleds and visiting christmas markets!
If you had 30 minutes to pick the brain of anyone, who would it be and why?
If I'm looking in a sports industry sense, I'd go with Jessica Campbell, who is the Assistant coach for the San Jose Sharks, making her the first female coach in the NHL. I'd love to hear about her journey from playing to coaching at a high performance level and the strategies she uses to build team culture. I'm also particularly inspired by her as a woman making an impact in a male dominated field. I saw a quote on social media about her not that long ago and it said 'because every woman has the power to change history', and that's the mindset I want to go into. For me, I'm not trying to go into gender equality when I'm saying this, but i just mean that I really aspire to make a name for myself and excelling in a space where women are underrepresented. I'd also ask Jessica for advice on breaking into the industry and navigating challenges in sport operations and fan engagement!
What’s book or podcast that’s helped your career you recommend?
While not a specific book or podcast, what I've found has helped me stay ahead is reading articles from Front Office Sports. I've used insights from their content in my college athletics class to elaborate on trends and applying real world examples to assignments and still to this day I keep up with these articles. Even though it's predominantly focused on American sports, it's been incredibly helpful in understanding what's working, what's not and how clubs and leagues operate behind the scenes. It's given me a clearer picture of the skills I need to keep developing and the areas I should focus on to succeed and make an impact in both Australian and US sports environments.
Additional details
Where in the world are you located, and where are you open to work?
Living in Melbourne, Australia, but open to work in the East Coast of the USA
What is the most important consideration for you in your next role?
The most important thing for me at the moment is the opportunity to keep learning and developing within the sports industry as a new graduate, particularly in areas such as fan engagement, game day and event operations, and partnerships. I'd love a role where I can learn from experienced co-workers, be apart of a supportive team environment and gain hands on experience that allows for me to meaningfully contribute to the success of the organisation!
What others say about Tarniell
While I haven't really thought about this before, I just asked a colleague about how she feels about me in the entertainment industry, and what she had to say was: "you bring energy and enthusiasm to all of the events we work at (except the occasional comedy event as I can tell some of them you don't find very funny) and I can tell you love working in this industry"
What questions does Tarniell have for employers?
I always like to know what success looks like in the role 1-3 months down the road
What is the potential for internal growth in the role/company?
What does a typical event/game day look like?
What would the support system look like in the company for someone who is newer to the industry?
If you didn't support the team you go for in your favourite sport, which other team would you go for?
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