Kaitlyn Halliday
Bachelor of Sport, Exercise and Health
Major: Sport Leadership and Management
Some of the most important work in cricket happens off the field. Over 350 hours of workplace experience with the Auckland Cricket Association, Kaitlyn Halliday helped strengthen Māori cricket in Tāmaki Makaurau, from a Māori Leadership Day to a culturally meaningful playing uniform.
My workplace experience
Placement organisation:
Auckland Cricket Association
Role:
Intern
Length of placement:
350 hours
What I worked on
I first started my placement with the Auckland Cricket Association during Semester 2 of my second year at AUT in 2025, before returning for my final-year workplace experience in 2026.
My role focused on strengthening Māori cricket through cultural connection and creating meaningful opportunities for Māori players across Tāmaki Makaurau. Following my placement, I was fortunate enough to gain part-time employment with Auckland Cricket as a women and girls game development officer.
My main project focused on improving the experience of players representing Tāmaki Makaurau at the National Māori Cricket Tournament. I helped organise a Māori Leadership Day, establish a Māori Advisory Group, coordinate training sessions and develop a culturally meaningful playing uniform.
One of my highlights was helping organise a wāhine noho marae, which brought players together to strengthen their cultural connections and relationships beyond cricket.
Skills I used (and grew)
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Cultural competence
- Leadership
- Problem solving
- Project management
How AUT prepared me
My studies at AUT gave me a strong foundation in leadership, event management and understanding how sporting organisations operate. Through assignments and group projects, I developed communication, organisational and problem-solving skills that I was able to apply directly to my placement.
It was rewarding to see how the things I had learnt throughout my degree translated into a real sporting environment.
What I learned
One of the biggest things I gained from my placement was confidence in myself and my ability to lead. I learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers or doing everything yourself, but about building relationships, asking for help when needed and trusting yourself to take initiative.
My tip for other students
Make the most of every opportunity and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Ask questions, build relationships and get involved wherever you can, even if you’re unsure of yourself at first.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. Some of the biggest learning opportunities come from giving something new a go!