James Cook University business students Brittany Fell and Rachel Day have been thrown head-first into the goings-on at a professional sporting club with internships at the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys.
The young women, who are nearing the end of their degrees, are part of the National Rugby League Business Academy, which is aimed to develop talented students who are passionate about a career in sport, and give them the opportunity to become future leaders within NRL clubs and the NRL.
As part of their involvement in the academy, Brittany and Rachel have been completing six-month internships with the Cowboys in the Membership team as part of a partnership between the club and JCU.
Learning the ropes of this important part of the club, the pair hope to have careers in sporting organisations and see the value of a program like the NRL Business Academy.
Townsville local Brittany - who is studying and Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Sports & Events Management – hopes to secure two days a week paid employment at the Cowboys following the completion of her internship.
“We’ve been learning all aspects of the membership office – processing memberships, that sort of thing – and ideally I’d love to have a career in the NRL,” Brittany said,
“This internship has been fantastic in helping us getting a foot in the door, and in terms of networking for down the track in our future careers, it’s invaluable. Also it gives us a different perspective from a large-scale club.”
Rachel, from the Cairns region, is at the tail-end of a Bachelor of Business majoring in Human Resources and Management and has appreciated a practical insight into the background of business.
“I’m in the fourth week of my internship and have almost finished my degree … this has been a really good experience for me because I’ve always supported the NRL and it’s something I’ve always been interested in,” Rachel said.
“I’m definitely enjoying learning about the NRL and how it all works.”
“Plus I love the Cowboys.”
The Cowboys and JCU remain committed to internship program.
