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Eels Institute students making their mark across the Parramatta Eels
Students from the Eels Institute are already making a significant impact across the Club, with the inaugural cohort immersing themselves in game days, events, projects, internships and operational experiences throughout their first semester.
Delivered through the partnership between the Parramatta Eels and TAFE Queensland, the Eels Institute combines industry-connected study with real exposure to the business of professional sport, giving students the opportunity to contribute directly to the operations of one of the NRL’s biggest clubs.
Since commencing in January, students have already supported a wide range of club initiatives and departments, including Partnerships, Consumer, Membership, Football Operations, Community, Marketing, Digital and Content, Junior League, Merchandise and Events.
One of the standout elements of the program has been the students’ involvement in Parramatta Eels home games throughout the NRL season.
Across the Club’s opening home fixtures, students contributed to fan engagement activations, premium hospitality experiences, digital content operations, fundraising initiatives and game day event delivery.
More than 30 students supported the Club’s sold-out Easter Monday clash against the Tigers, with students also contributing across fixtures against the Dragons, Titans and Bulldogs.
The students have also quickly become involved in broader operational and commercial projects across the Club.
Several students have already commenced internships and department-based projects across the Club, with students gaining hands-on experience within Consumer Sales and the Game Day & Events team, whilst others have supported Junior League through financial analysis and reporting projects. Students have also contributed operational support across a range of club activations and events, further embedding themselves within the day-to-day operations of the Parramatta Eels.
Importantly, these experiences are not simulations or classroom exercises. Students are contributing to genuine projects and initiatives that support the day-to-day operations of the Club, whilst building meaningful industry relationships and practical experience.
Alongside the practical learning experiences, students have also gained direct insight from senior leaders across the Parramatta Eels organisation through a series of guest speaker sessions. Throughout the semester, students have heard from Chief Executive Officer Jim Sarantinos, Chief Commercial Officer Dan Clifford, Head of Partnerships & Sales Charlotte Hynes, Business Development Manager Matthew Stewart, and Head of Consumer Tom Jamsek, gaining authentic insight into leadership, commercial operations, partnerships and fan engagement within professional sport.
These sessions have provided students with authentic insight into leadership, commercial operations, partnerships, fan engagement and career pathways within professional sport.
Kirstene Ciappara, Education Program Manager at the Parramatta Eels, said the students had embraced the opportunity from day one.
“The students are already a valued part of the Club environment. Seeing them contribute across game days, projects, events and internships has been incredibly rewarding, and we’re excited to see them continue to grow both personally and professionally throughout the year.”
With more than 1,200 collective work experience hours already completed in the opening months of the program, the inaugural Eels Institute cohort is quickly establishing itself as an important part of the Club’s broader operations and future workforce pipeline.
