Francesca Wilson
Ceremonies Team Member, UEFA Women’s EURO, Basel, Switzerland
Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management
She has always been a sporty kid, says Francesca Wilson who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management.
“I knew I wanted to work in sport, but during high school I wasn’t sure what kind of degree would let me be involved in the business and organisational side of it. I’ve always wanted to give back to the sports I grew up doing and help more Kiwi kids have access to sport across Aotearoa.”
Choosing to come to AUT for her studies was an easy decision.
“My older cousin had done the AUT sport degree and knew I’d love it too. I chose AUT because I liked that in the first year you get to try out each major, which really helps you understand what direction you want to take. I ended up loving the management and leadership side, so I chose to major in sport management, with electives in marketing and outdoor education.”
A shared passion
Francesca says she liked how broad the sport management courses were.
“I got to learn about leadership, how sport organisations work, sports marketing, entrepreneurship and more. I also really appreciated the way the workplace experience was structured. Having two smaller placements before one major one in the third year helped me feel confident and ready to enter the sport industry after graduating.
“I also loved the leadership and outdoor education trips we got to go on. Bonding with my cohort in those settings helped us feel really connected. At the end of our second year, our cohort was invited to volunteer at the IWG 8th Women in Sport World Conference in Auckland. That was an amazing experience and gave me a real glimpse into what a future in sport could look like, both in Aotearoa and globally. From there, I went on to volunteer at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup — an event that broke records and challenged the stigma around women in sport – and now I’m going to be part of the ceremony team in Switzerland for the UEFA Women’s EURO football cup this year. I’m grateful to AUT for helping spark this passion.”
The people you meet in the sporting world are some of the best, she says.
“We’re all brought together by a shared passion. Sport is a universal language, and if you truly embrace it, it can take you all over the world.”
Advice for other students
Francesca, who graduated from AUT in 2023, has some great advice for other students.
“Say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. It’s the best way to learn, both during university and once you’re out in the real world.
“In this world, experiencing as much as you can is what takes you far. Being open to meeting new people and stepping into different roles is what makes the journey meaningful. The variety of roles and sport events I’ve been part of through work and volunteering is what I’m most proud of.”
She is certainly living by this motto herself and, after managing Athletics New Zealand’s marketing collateral and social media as well as volunteering in the Auckland FC’s press and media team, she has just moved to Europe and is looking forward to saying yes to many new opportunities.
