Zoe Crawford
Bachelor of Sport, Exercise and Health
Major: Sport Leadership and Management
Zoe Crawford knows surf lifesaving as a competitor. Now she knows what it takes to run it. Across the 2026 academic year, she spent 350 hours helping Surf Life Saving New Zealand plan and deliver its high performance and junior development programmes.
My workplace experience
Placement organisation:
Surf Life Saving New Zealand
Role:
Intern, High Performance and Junior Development Programmes
Length of placement:
350 hours
What I worked on
I supported the planning and delivery of Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s high performance and junior development programmes, helping with logistics, communicating with athletes and staff, and assisting with day-to-day coordination.
My placement lasted throughout the 2026 academic year and gave me the opportunity to experience the organisational side of a sport I’m passionate about. As a surf lifesaving athlete myself, it was valuable to see the work that happens behind the scenes to support athletes and deliver these programmes.
Skills I used (and grew)
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Project management
- Teamwork
- Time management
How AUT prepared me
My Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management* gave me a foundation in how sporting organisations operate, and how programmes are planned and delivered. University assignments and group work also helped me develop communication, teamwork and organisational skills that I could apply during my placement.
*Zoe studied the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management, which has now been replaced by the Bachelor of Sport, Exercise and Health in Sport Leadership and Management.
What I learned
I gained a greater appreciation for the planning, communication and teamwork involved in supporting sporting programmes. The experience helped me build confidence in a professional environment and understand the importance of being adaptable when plans change.
My tip for other students
Find something you’re interested in and make the most of the chance to learn from the people around you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or give something new a go – you don’t need to know everything before you start.