Tahlia Lombardi has been awarded Volunteer of the Season after completing a work placement with Western United Football Club (WUFC) as part of her Bachelor of Sports Management at Victoria University (VU).
Having the opportunity to gain work experience was vital to Tahlia as it gave her a better sense of the type of work she wants to pursue after graduating.
“Within my course, I completed a 70-hour placement at WUFC during the soccer seasons. It was very important for me to complete a placement as I wasn’t sure what industry I wanted to go into. By completing my placement at WUFC, I was given the opportunity to explore multiple areas, such as merchandise, operations and events, which made me think about what area I work best in and what I enjoy.
"The opportunity of completing a placement is an advantage as I was able to challenge myself and apply my knowledge in the workplace. Overall, it was important for my success, as I can now focus on what industry I want to be involved in.”
Tahlia’s interest in sports began when she started playing soccer at the age of 13, leading her to volunteer as a coach at her local soccer club. When the time came for her to study at university, she chose VU for its high-quality sport courses.
“By talking to other students and attending VU’s Open Day, I saw that the courses VU offered worked well with what I wanted to study. VU also had multiple connections and contacts with sports teams, such as the Western Bulldogs football club.
“The best thing about VU is that they provide many different courses to suit your needs. My course in sport management offered a variety of units too, including community sport, professional sports and facility management, which expanded my knowledge and made me think of other areas within the industry I can work in.
“I would recommend VU to others, especially those interested in sports.
“Once I complete my course, I hope to be involved in a sporting club assisting their programs and involving kids in sports.”
VU Polytechnic are proud sponsors of WUFC and continue to share a passion and commitment to Melbourne’s west and the greater western region of Victoria.