Passions & placements: Q&A with the team behind WUFC

The link between education and sport is strong, with education playing an important role in preparing athletes for careers after sport – and, strengthening our collaborative efforts further, there are numerous VU alumni who are also integral to WUFC, working behind the scenes to support the club.

We’re thrilled to be able to continue to partner to foster these important links and provide even more opportunities to work closely together. We recently got to chat to three of our alumni currently in roles at WUFC who told us about being a proud part of both communities:

• Petar Duricic, Commercial Partnerships Coordinator, WUFC
• Daniel Galea, Finance Manager, WUFC
• Aaron Gal, Merchandise Department, WUFC

What were you doing before studying at VU, & what did you study?

Daniel: I was involved in the entertainment industry organising a few regular events at nightclubs, which is why I wanted to pursue an events degree. I transferred to VU into a Bachelor of Business (Tourism/Events Management) in 2009.

Aaron: I was having a rough time deciding what I wanted to do after Year 12, so I decided to pursue something that I had always loved and had a huge passion for – sport. I enrolled at VU at the start of 2017 and completed a Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Sports Management double degree.

Petar: I completed a Diploma of Justice after high school. After this I decided that if I was going to further my studies, it would be in something that I love – like sport. So, I completed a Diploma of Sport Development at VU Polytechnic.

Why did you choose Victoria University?

Petar: I chose VU to find a pathway to achieve the goals I had set out for myself. I was able to study a diploma which gave me credits leading into my double degree. VU’s partnerships with elite level sporting clubs was also a huge component.

Aaron: I had heard that VU was the number one university for sport-related degrees, so I decided to look into their courses. I had also seen VU partner with A-League clubs in the past, and since that was where I wanted to work the most, it made VU an easy choice.

Why did you decide to enter the sports industry? What do you love about the field?

Petar: I decided that if I was going to commit to studying long term then I had to make a change and enter an industry that would lead me into something that I loved. I always just wanted to be part of a team. Even if I wasn’t part of the team on the field, I wanted to put myself in a position where I could have another way to contribute to the growth and success of a sports club.

Daniel: The sports industry is my passion. I never thought I would have the opportunity to work in sport, but when the opportunity came up, I jumped at it.

Did you undertake any placements as part of your course?

Petar: For one of my placements, I secured a Marketing Intern position at the Western Bulldogs. In this role, I managed to create a small network and get an insight into the roles and positions within the admin side of sport, while also learning how they all work together as a team.

The placements were the best and most important aspects of my overall course at VU. Placements were essential in my growth and allowed me to be ready to jump into the industry once I graduated.

Aaron: I undertook placements at Western United in my 3^rd and 4^th years. I was able to attain a wealth of experience and skills and dip my toes into every aspect of the club’s operations on a gameday, working across Merchandise, Commercial Events & Match Day Operations.

Without the placement or the VU partnership with Western United, I most likely would not have volunteered at a sporting club and would not have received the job I have.

Daniel: I completed a Work Integrated Learning year at Choice Hotels Australasia as a sales consultant. This was a business aligned with the university at the time – I found out about Choice Hotels through a lecturer.

I gained valuable exposure into the corporate world, learning about individual and team KPIs. It was a great introduction to familiarise myself with how my learning at VU integrated with working life.

What was your course experience like at VU? What were the best things about it?

Petar: I met a lot of good people across sport and business units, fellow students as well as great lecturers.

Aaron: My course was very engaging, and I learnt a lot from all my lecturers. Every class was different, and every class was fun. I made a lot of friends through VU and had a lot of laughs – the lecturers would keep lessons fresh with innovative games and activities in between lectures.

Daniel: I really enjoyed my course. At another uni I studied at, I had big classes and it felt like I was just another number. At VU the classes were much smaller and my teachers had a genuine interest in me, which really helped me progress.

Would you recommend Victoria University, & why?

Petar: Yes, for sure. I would definitely recommend VU for somebody who wants to study and work in the sports industry. With VU, you have a clear and simple pathway that you can follow from day 1 of your course – which leads you to graduating having the skills and knowledge to work in the industry.

Aaron: I would recommend VU! The connections they have with multiple organisations is a good foot in the door, and the lectures are engaging and insightful. The VU Block Model was also really helpful, as it allowed me to focus on one unit for four weeks, which worked for me much better than having to juggle four units at a time. 

Daniel: Yes, most definitely. VU was a great university to learn at, and they were extremely helpful in finding a placement in my Work Integrated Learning year. This provided me with much needed support as I entered my working career.

What is your role at WUFC?

Aaron: I am currently working as a casual at Western United in the Merchandise department. I handle online merchandise and run the merchandise store on gamedays alongside the Merchandise Manager. I hope to secure a full-time role at the club, and further my experiences in the sporting field.

Petar: I spent eight months in membership at WUFC, and after that I made the jump to the commercial team and am now the Commercial Partnerships Coordinator. In this role I ensure contractual partnership entitlements are delivered, create and deliver partnership proposals, and coordinate hospitality at club events.

Daniel: I am now the Finance Manager at WUFC. Essentially, I am responsible for all finances at the club, from accounts payable/receivable and payroll, to cashflow reporting and budgeting. I hope to continue progressing my career in the sporting industry as it is a great passion of mine.

What advice would you give to a prospective student looking to get into the sports industry?

Petar: The best advice I could give is make the absolute most out of your work placements. Complete your first one at grassroots level before challenging yourself and getting experience at the elite level with subsequent placements.

Aaron: Volunteering with sports businesses would be my number one recommendation. I was able to learn so many things from my time undertaking placement with a professional club, and was given a job directly after the placement. Securing a placement is just the beginning. Once you are involved at a club, make friends, network, and put your best foot forward.

Daniel: Experience and building relationships is everything. When I graduated, I had no experience. I decided to offer my time at the Essendon Football Club as a volunteer. My goal was to learn as much as I could and most importantly, get some experience on my resume. After six months of working part-time, they offered me a full-time position.