My name is Andrew and you’ll be reading more from me in (hopefully) the near future, highlighting and documenting the amazing people at Richmond Institute.
I began my journey in the Diploma of Sport/Diploma of Leadership and Management (SIS50319/BSB50420) in unorthodox fashion – this my second attempt at tertiary study. I graduated from a Bachelor of Primary Education at the end of 2019, with 2022 being my third year as a Casual Relief Teacher. I was in need of a change, yet had no clue on how to utilise my passion and knowledge of sport.
Being a Richmond supporter, I had always seen the course promoted by the club, however nothing more eventuated past a click on their Instagram page. This all changed in February of this year as I took a punt and enrolled in the program.
Within the first two weeks of the program, I was lucky enough to complete placement at two of Richmond’s AFLW matches, as well as an Open Training for the Men’s team. This was undertaken with the Fan Engagement Team, in what can only be described as a whirlwind introduction.
Currently, I am completing a season-long placement with the Port Melbourne Football Club, taking match day photos and being responsible for the match day social media of their Women’s team.
On Richmond game days, I am completing an internship with the Events Team, assisting with their game day functions, as well as scattered functions such as the AFLW Best & Fairest and Richmond Rookies Clinics.
Finally, I am completing placement with Richmond’s Digital Team – taking photos and helping with some of their social media.
The fact that I am struggling to pick one highlight is a testament to the course itself. Mind you, all of the above placements have occurred in the span of ten weeks and I am eager to see what the rest of the year holds!
If I were to pick one, it would be my time with Port Melbourne. Having an opportunity to take photos as a job so to speak is something I never could have fathomed at the start of this year, let alone at any given time. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and I’ve learnt so much about my work as well as my appreciation for these athletes. As well as an ability to indulge in one of my favourite hobbies, this placement has helped me discover a passion for Women’s Football and it’s now a career-space that I would love to pursue.
Stemming on from the Port Melbourne opportunity, I’ve been really humbled by my professional growth. From this position, I have been able to work closely with Richmond Football Club’s Digital Team, helping with their VFL social media, as well as functions in and around the club.
It seems that every week, staff around the club are asking me to take up another placement, which I can’t help but make the most of. With photography being a hobby for the longest time, meeting people at the club and having them tell me that they are impressed with my work is a surreal moment, and paints a picture for the connections you will make while studying at Richmond Institute.
As for the day-to-day life of the course, I can’t speak more highly of the structure. The workload is manageable, and if you find yourself falling behind, there is no shortage of support from teachers and mentors in order to keep you on the right track.
Everyone you meet, from staff to fellow students are wonderful people to surround yourself with, and I can guarantee that you will leave each day having created some great memories.
Trying everything and making connections is the mantra that Richmond Institute lives by. In order to make the most of your year, it’s highly important that you live by it as well. None of my placements would have been possible, had I not put my hand up to give them a go.
On top of that, go in with the mindset of ‘not knowing unless you ask.’ If you have an idea for a placement opportunity, there’s a fair chance the placement team can organise that for you. Had I not asked about photography in week 1, I’m not sure I’d be writing this article right now.
As cliched as it may be, have fun and try everything, you never know where it may take you.
Andrew is currently completed the Diploma of Sport/Diploma of Leadership course (SIS50319/BSB50420) in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology and the Richmond Football Club.
