Switching the Game Plan
Christian Aparo’s experience from retail assistant to a valued member of the Melbourne Football Club, highlights the impact of switching up to follow your passion. As a Membership Trainee at the Demons, working out of the Great Southern Stand at the MCG, Christian has found his calling in the world of AFL.
Christian completed Year 12 in 2021 and initially planned to attend university. However, after a brief stint of one month on campus, he realised that university life was not for him.
I didn’t really like school all that much,
but everyone tells you that Uni is different than school. It did not feel different to me.
The transition from earning a substantial wage while working. Making much less as a student was also a significant factor in his decision to leave university.
I took a gap year after high school and worked at Rebel Sport, then moved on to Nike. When I decided that university wasn’t for me. My parents and I agreed that I needed to move into full-time work.
This decision led Christian to explore roles in the AFL and that’s how he discovered the AFL Industry Pathways through AFL SportsReady.
Christian’s transition into his traineeship with Melbourne FC was smooth and supported by his Field Officer and Supervisor Amy Smith.
I would 100% recommend a traineeship.
It’s an easy transition with the support you receive and you also get a qualification to add to your resume.
In his role at Melbourne FC, Christian is responsible for answering emails, phone calls, handling outbound calls and assisting members on game days.
We help members with entry and any issues. By making sure everything is fine seating-wise and address any problems they’re facing with the mobile app or other issues.
I love the problem-solving aspect of my job.
One of the highlights of Christian’s traineeship has been working on game days.
They are just the most fun!
As a lifelong footy fan.
Being part of the action on game days and seeing what goes into running an AFL club has been a dream come true.
We got to do the Guard of Honour for the first final against Collingwood last year. It was pouring rain and 10 degrees, but there were still 85,000 people in attendance. It was just so insane to me.
Footy has always been a significant part of Christian’s life.
I’ve been going to the footy with my dad since I was really young. It’s something we talk about every day, even during the off-season.
My dad was so excited when I started my traineeship at Melbourne FC.
Christian’s experience as a Membership Trainee has provided him with valuable skills and experiences. He looks forward to continuing his career in the AFL industry and contributing to the sport he loves.
For those considering a similar path, Christian’s advice is clear;
If you’re feeling stuck or looking for a career change, a traineeship is a fantastic way to gain hands-on experience and support while pursuing your passion.
[Photos with fellow AFL SportsReady Trainee Sapphire Noyle]
Are you looking to add a Trainee to your team?
With over 29 years of experience providing quality job opportunities and launching the careers of thousands of young Australians. AFL SportsReady offers diverse and thrilling opportunities that could take your career to the next level.
Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to take it in a new direction. AFL SportsReady has something to offer with a commitment to quality training and support. You can be sure you’ll have the tools you need to succeed.
So why wait? Kickstart your career today by exploring available Traineeships, whether you’re interested in sports management, business administration or any number of other fields. There’s sure to be a role that fits your skills and interests.
Filling out our Expressions of Interest Form is a useful step if you are unable to find a specific job opening. This helps us identify candidates for future opportunities and reach out if a relevant opportunity becomes available.
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