Graduates join Sportworks

Sportworks and Sheffield Hallam University have worked in partnership for a number of years to create placement opportunities for students and recent graduates. In July, Russell Swannack and Natalie Warne joined us for the summer working across all areas of the business, assisting with the development of existing and new projects.

Russell Swannack recently graduated from Sheffield Hallam University, with a 1st Class Honours in BSc Sport Management. Russell was elected as President of Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union representing 30,000 students on a local and national level, and also was a Hallam Volunteering Executive responsible for representing 500 volunteers on 35 projects within Sheffield. Russell was selected from thousands of individuals to represent the UK as a Young Advocate of Paralympic Sport in Beijing at the 2008 Paralympic Games and recently volunteered for LOCOG at the IOC Press Commission and London 2012 World Press Briefing.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working at Sportworks over the summer building on existing experience and developing new skills. My placement has developed my professional outlook and I look forward to continuing this further within the sports industry.”

Natalie Warne is a recent graduate from Sheffield Hallam University who is keen to gain an insight into sports management since attaining a 1st class degree in BSc Leisure Events Management. She hopes to build her skills base and use the experiences gained at Sportworks to begin a successful career across the events industry. Natalie has a professional interest in strategic management and event logistics and a particular personal interest in motorsports as she soon hopes to ride motorbikes as an avid spectator of Moto GP.

“Working with Sportworks has offered me a fantastic opportunity to gain essential industry knowledge within the sports sector; it has provided a great stepping stone between finishing university to begin my career in events management.”

Chiara Orefice, Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University added;
“The University is reinforcing its partnerships with the industry to create working opportunities for the 600+ students enrolled in Events courses. We are delighted to be cooperating with Sportworks as they engage our students in a variety of activities and roles that provide a great chance of personal and professional development. Together we are exploring placement possibilities and other forms of collaboration to develop skills and industry knowledge that will be invaluable to kick-start our students career in events.”

Sportworks continue to be committed to supporting recent graduates and current undergraduates with a range of work placement opportunities.

Tom Wenham, Director, Sportworks commented:
“It’s been fantastic having Russell and Natalie with us who have both been excellent additions to the team. Our relationship with Sheffield Hallam continues to develop and we’re passionate about providing a link between university and industry. It’s a genuine win-win situation.”