Additional information
In mid-2019, I facilitated Bond University’s entry into a partnership with the World Surf League (WSL) as the WSL’s “Official Education Partner.” I convened a series of meetings between Cheryl Jolliffe from Office of Future Students, with Andrew Stark, GM of the WSL, and Scott Hargreaves, WSL Commercial Partnerships Director. The WSL is unique in world sport in that, while it is the global governing body for professional surfing, it is actually a for-profit company owned by a US media conglomerate called ZoSea Media. Indeed, the CEO of the WSL is Erik Logan, formerly the CEO of the Oprah Winfrey Network. Therefore, this partnership presents learning and teaching opportunities beyond sport and BBS to Law, FSD and HSM. I ensured that student placement opportunities were at the core of the deal and thus, the partnership is delivering university-wide teaching and learning benefits. In 201, three Bond students – Ali Brittan and Milan Agnone (both FSD) and Rachael Tilly (BBS) completed internships working in digital communications and commercial partnerships, respectively. The pandemic limited opportunities in 202 and 203, but even so, in 203, BBS student Andrew Cannon benefited from work experience at two WSL events. The plan is that each semester, WSL-Bond internships will be available via Scout and managed through the CDC for students to apply for on a competitive basis. In 211, students from Law, BBS and FSD applied for the internship, ultimately won by BBS postgraduate student, Jaiden Pengelly. I envisage these internships will become much sought after by current and prospective Bond students and, obviously, present wonderful marketing opportunities given that Bond’s key demographic and geographic markets align neatly with those of the WSL. As an early outcome, in January 2021, one of Bond’s inaugural interns, Rachel Tilly, gained full-time employment as WSL Partnerships Manager. Another Bond student, Andrew Cannon, has also this year (2021), secured employment with the WSL as an outcome from this partnership.| Period | 2019 → 2021 |
|---|---|
| Work for | World Surf League Australia, Australia |
| Degree of Recognition | International |