Graduate Programme 2017 - 2018 

Kia Ora, my name is Conor Gilchrist and I was a Sport New Zealand Graduate back in 2017-18. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce at Victoria University I was eager to combine my business studies with the world of sport so the Graduate role seemed like the best entry point to begin that journey.

During my first year, I shadowed some of the best leaders across the industry, from Sport New Zealand staff to key partners across the broader stakeholder network. In my second year, I spent time at two NSOs, Basketball New Zealand and New Zealand Rugby; two contrasting organisations presented with their own distinct commercial challenges.

After completing the Graduate programme, I joined the American International Group, one of the major global sponsors of the All Blacks. My role was focused around ensuring AIG were consistently leveraging their contractual rights to maximise their partnership investment. I then joined adidas where I managed the portfolio of brand partners in the New Zealand market, ensuring that adidas were activating talent to help drive key outcomes.

I have now spent the last three years in Melbourne, Australia working agency side. I began at Gemba and now work at Bastion where my day-to-day role is in the partnership realm, whether working alongside brands to address their challenges or with rights holder to help drive revenue.

My experiences since leaving Sport New Zealand highlight the platform the Graduate programme can provide and I would encourage anyone who has a passion for working in sport to apply for the role.