Blog

• Curtis Dupuis-Sutton – Exit Blog, Marketing, Communications, and Events Coordinator

  Tuesday, August 13, 2024 | By cd22qa

  

  As I head into my final days here at the Centre for Sport Capacity (CSC) as the Marketing, Communications, and Event Intern, I can look back at an amazing three months of professional and personal growth.

  Throughout the internship, I had the opportunity to work on many amazing projects that covered all the bases of marketing, communications, and events. My work at the CSC encompassed a variety of roles. To begin with, I was responsible for managing our social media accounts, across Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and Facebook. During the internship, we saw tremendous growth in our social media metrics, especially on LinkedIn where we experienced a record month in July in terms of engagements (15,811), reactions (624), and impressions (8,714). In terms of social media marketing, I learned new skills in areas such as:

  • Promoting events
  • Leveraging new services
  • Translating research from our members.

  Perhaps the most notable achievement of my time at the CSC was the development of the Centre’s new fee-for-service model, SportService, which is a professional service that is focused on expanding the capacity of sport organizations. This project challenged me in many ways and allowed me to develop a greater understanding of some of the issues many sport organizations are facing today. One of my favorite Sport Management courses thus far at Brock, SPMA 3P05, highlights that internal capacity is one of the major challenges non-profit sport organizations face. Through our conversations with community partners and members, I observed firsthand the impact internal capacity challenges can have on an organization, and how services like SportService can provide support in various areas such as event management, marketing, and communications.

  On June 27^th, we hosted the Thriving Indigenous Sport Organizations webinar, which highlighted the success story of the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council (MASRC). This event provided me with an opportunity to explore creative branding and marketing strategies, as well as learning how to host an event and engage your audience on an online platform.

  I also played a significant role in the 2024 Niagara Hope on the Horizon workshop in a number of areas, such as sponsorship, marketing, on-site event support, and event photography. The Hope on the Horizon workshop expanded my skills in event management and one of the biggest takeaways is the attention to detail that is required to execute a great event is no small task. From designing the program to considering sponsorship representation on the day of the event, every detail counts.

  One of the more memorable experiences from this role was our work at the 140th Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. Being involved with a significant Canadian sporting event was a thrilling opportunity for the Centre. Assigned as the Chair of Admissions, our role involved overseeing recruitment, scheduling, and management of 40+ volunteers, totaling around 70 shifts throughout the event week.   It was an enriching experience that provided numerous learning opportunities in areas such as volunteer management, event logistics, and event preparation. This experience also allowed me to interact with various individuals in the sport industry and the dedicated volunteers who supported us – who were amazing to work with. A key lesson learned throughout my time at the event was that well delivered events require well-informed decision making, regardless of the specific area of responsibility, and sometimes quick and in the moment.

  My time at the CSC has definitely impacted my career goals looking forward, not only has the work we conducted throughout the summer opened my eyes to various potential career paths and areas of interest, but the work and opinions of the CSC members and the passions many have for the industry has motivated me to want to further improve on my education and find an area of interest in the sport industry that I’m passionate about.

  The internship at the CSC is an immensely valuable opportunity for future students, the role provides you a wide array of exposure to different fields of interest, such as marketing, communications, and event management. For those students who are potentially unsure what field they want to pursue post-graduation, this opportunity would be ideal. Looking back on February of this year when I was applying to potential internships, I wanted to be in an organization that allowed me to be creative and have an impact – not only during my time in the role but also looking beyond my time. Dr. Julie Stevens and Grace Nelson allowed that to happen, by entrusting me to be creative and innovative, which I believe was the most important factor in my achievements in the past few months with the Centre. I am grateful to Dr. Julie Stevens and Grace Nelson for the incredible chance to grow and learn in such a unique environment.

  Categories: Students

• July Member Showcase – Raul Rosales Zavaleta

  Wednesday, July 10, 2024 | By cd22qa

  Background 

  My name is Raul Rosales, and I am from Lima, Peru. I participated in the Visiting International Scholar (VIS) program in the Sport Management department from May 2023 to April 2024. During this time, I had the chance to be part of the CSC activities as a participant and then as a member. 

  I have been involved in the academic field since 2008 when I started as a Full-time faculty member at the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas’ School of Business. At that moment, I was teaching International Business courses, but my interest was the Sport Management field. In 2010, my institution designated me as the lead coordinator of Peru´s first Sport Management undergraduate program: Business Administration and Sport Business. We started our new program in 2011 and in 2012, I became the chair until now. 

  I applied for the VIS program after getting my Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) degree to continue developing my research skills. I found at Brock not only outstanding academics but also great people with whom I want to continue my professional development in academia with. To become a member of the Center for Sport Capacity is an opportunity to continue my relationship with Brock University and a commitment to be part of the activities and work on joint projects such as conferences or research projects. 

  Research Area

  My main research interest is to contribute to the understanding of how sport could contribute to having a better world. Topics such as the governance of the sport that is related to the board role and activities, life skills development through the sport coaches’ activities, and sport volunteer behaviors are some of the research projects with which I am currently involved. 

  What is your Favourite TV Show? 

  Breaking Bad. I am watching it again. Some people might think that it is a series based on drug dealers, but I believe it is about human nature. 

  What are your current Hobbies and Interests? 

  Gardening. I like to spend some time trying to learn more about bougainvillea (ornamental vines), molles (trees) and Ficus (bush).  

  What’s your Favourite Sports team? 

  Club Alianza Lima (professional soccer team in Peru) 

  Achievements/Memorable Moments 

  Becoming a father. Lucia (21) and Sofia (9) are the greatest achievements of my life. It was a life game changer. 

  Future Plans 

  I plan to continue contributing to a better society through sport.  

  Categories: Member Showcases

• Curtis Dupuis-Sutton – Entry Blog, Marketing, Communications, and Event Coordinator

  Thursday, May 09, 2024 | By cd22qa

  

  Hi, my name is Curtis Dupuis-Sutton, I am a fourth year Sport Management Major / Political Science Minor Student here at Brock University, and this spring/summer I will be interning at the Centre for Sport Capacity as the Marketing, Communications, and Events Coordinator. I was born here in St. Catharines but grew up all over the GTA region before returning to the Niagara Region for high school. Growing up, sports were always surrounding me, whether it be my dad watching Oilers hockey, my grandparents watching Blue Jays baseball, or my mom’s softball tournaments, I could never escape it. However, I didn’t participate in sports that much growing up, my parents would recall me throwing a temper tantrum learning how to skate the first time – something I never learned until a couple years ago.

  I started working in sport as a volunteer at a local sports facility, ballhockey.com before being offered a part-time opportunity working at the pro-shop. Throughout my years at ballhockey.com, I took on various roles that played a key part in the day-to-day operations of the company, such as:

  • Marketing 
    • Oversaw Ballhockey.com website; 
    • Developed new merchandise designs for greater brand exposure; 
    • Managed social media pages; 
    • Marketing lead for Ballhockey.com Team North America which encompassed developing brand identity, logo, and team jerseys. 

  • Event Management  
    • Assisted in the planning and execution of several events, such as: 
    • Large-scale ball hockey tournaments; 
    • Partnership events with amateur teams; 
    • Various other sports tournaments.  

  • New Projects 
    • Key role in the launch of e-commerce website; 
    • Re-brand of company-wide identity. 

  My time at ballhockey.com was a great privilege, as it’s not ordinary for an organization to allow young people like me at the time the opportunity to be critically involved and take on important new projects. All of that was made possible by the late President and Owner Brian Broley, a great mentor and to me, Niagara’s greatest sport entrepreneur. More recently, I have been working within the Brock University intramural team as an Ice Hockey convenor.   

  My interest of working in sport started with Sir Alex Ferguson’s autobiography. All the behind-the-scenes insights regarding commercial strategies, and managerial decisions sparked my desire in knowing how sport operates as a business. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect as I was applying to post-secondary schools shortly after. I attended Niagara College of Canada’s Sport Management program, where I was amazed at the scope of Sport Management research and enjoyed every single minute of my three years leading up to graduation during COVID. Since beginning at Brock in the Political Science program, then switching to the Sport Management program, my time in Sport Management courses has been limited, however there were two courses I was looking forward to taking this past term, and they didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed both the Sport Governance and Financial Management of Sport courses as they dove deeper into two specific fields of Sport Management that I enjoy. Throughout both my academic and professional experiences, I believe I have been able to develop many skills, such as event management, marketing, and project management, to name a few. I look forward to the opportunity to further develop skills, as well as potentially learn new ones throughout my time at the CSC.  

  I first heard about the CSC through LinkedIn a few months ago, before our program experiential education coordinator posted the internship opportunity in late February. I jumped at the opportunity to apply as elements of the job description seemed familiar with the work I have done in the past. Once I applied, I quickly heard back from Grace (CSC Coordinator) and Dr. Stevens, (CSC Director) regarding an interview time. I will say, throughout the interview, I felt I was on the same page as both Grace and Dr. Stevens regarding potential next steps for the future of the Centre. I was also appreciative of the feedback provided throughout the interview, as it’s an uncommon practice traditionally but very valuable. The ability to work again with programs such as Canva, WordPress, and social media platforms was something that stood out to me as I have previous experience and would appreciate the chance to further build on those skills.    

  I am excited for the upcoming term here at the CSC. I believe there are interesting projects and events on the horizon, which will positively impact the Centre’s reputation and identity moving forward. I am extremely excited about the fee-for-service model that will be a featured project for this term as it will be a great learning experience for myself and contribute to something that I’m passionate about – improving the quality of sport.   

  I have ambitions to further build on my education once I’ve completed my degree here at Brock University; however, I am unsure of what specifically I would like to do. I have an interest in Change Management, Organizational Behaviour, and Sport Finance. I am hopeful that my time here at the CSC working on the creation of a fee-for-service model and other CSC initiatives will allow me to explore potential career paths and help me understand what next steps I would like to take personally.    

  Overall, I am looking forward to being a part of the Centre for Sport Capacity and working alongside Grace, Dr. Stevens, and the Centre’s members. To contribute to an organization that looks to positively impact sport in the Niagara region and abroad is an honor and I’m eager to get started. I encourage all students to get involved at the university in whatever way they can, and for those interested in making a difference in sport, to stop by the Centre of Sport Capacity and inquire about how you can get on board.   

   

  Categories: Students

• Matthew Amos – Exit Blog, Marketing, Communications, and Event Coordinator

  Friday, April 26, 2024 | By gnelson

  

  It is hard to believe that I am now exiting my internship at the Centre for Sport Capacity (CSC) as the Marketing, Communications and Event Intern. Looking back at my four months at the Centre, I have grown so much in both my professional and personal development. 

  At the CSC, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects which allowed me to enhance my skills and knowledge in various areas. From organizing events to creating engaging content for the CSC’s social media platforms, I was able to utilize a lot of what I have learned from my Sport Management (SPMA) program, such as marketing, event management, and working with non-profit organizations. I took on several important roles, the first was overseeing the CSC’s social media including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X, and I was then able to analyze the data on each of these social media platforms. I had the opportunity to partner with Canoe Kayak Canada to create a website for the 2024 National Sprint Championships. I also played a key role in organizing the 2024 Niagara Hope on the Horizon workshop, by securing sponsorships for the event and creating copy for communications and promotional materials. Managing the CSC’s social media offered me valuable insights into the impact of digital marketing and its ability to reach a broader audience. Analyzing data on each platform provided me with a deeper understanding of audience preferences and helped me tailor our content to better engage with our followers. Additionally, planning the Hope on the Horizon tour provided me with valuable experience in event management and the intricacies of planning successful events, such as securing funding, crafting sponsorship packages, and working with partners. 

  It is great to reflect on the areas where I have notably improved including: 

  • Enhanced digital skills in WordPress, Canva, Google Analytics, and Meta Business Suite through social media management and website design.  
  • Developed project management skills through event planning like the Hope on the Horizon Tour.  
  • Strengthened decision-making abilities and professional communication skills in verbal and written forms, focusing on conveying messages effectively and considering the audience. 

  Getting hands-on experience with different digital platforms like WordPress, Canva, and Meta Business Suite was truly invaluable. It not only broadened my skill set but also gave me a deeper understanding of how I can effectively utilize these tools in a professional setting. One of the most rewarding aspects of my internship was gaining insight into data management and analytics. Learning how to collect, analyze, and draw meaningful insights from data has been an eye-opening experience that I know will be beneficial in my future endeavors. For example, using platforms such as Meta Business Suite enhanced my understanding of digital marketing tactics and audience engagement and allowed me to view what kind of posts get the most engagement. 

  Understanding the principles of marketing, communications, and event planning is essential in Sport Management. Having a strong foundation in marketing allows me to effectively promote an organization to a wide audience and maintain their brand image. Communication skills are vital for building relationships with numerous partners and collaborators. Also, proficiency in event planning ensures that events run smoothly and successfully. By mastering these skills, I can navigate the sport industry with confidence and achieve my goals effectively.  

  This internship has significantly influenced my career goals by introducing me to a wider range of opportunities in Sport Management. While my initial focus was to work in the management side of the hockey industry, this experience has broadened my perspective to include skills in marketing, communications, and event planning across different sectors. While working on the management side of hockey remains my ultimate goal, I now see other sectors as promising career options. 

  I highly recommend this placement for future SPMA internship students. It offers valuable exposure to job opportunities in the sport and recreation sector. The CSC provides diverse learning opportunities, treating the internship as a chance for students to develop industry knowledge and skills. I am grateful for the opportunities I had and the relationships I formed during my tenure, and I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge I gained in my future career. Overall, my time at the CSC has been very beneficial. Thank you to Dr. Julie Stevens and Grace Nelson, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in such a supportive and dynamic environment. 

   

   

  Categories: Students

• April Member Showcase – Nick Lacoste

  Tuesday, April 23, 2024 | By ma19gm

  Background 

  Through my past work in Indigenous hockey spaces, I have executed research projects, conducted surveys, and uncovered significant statistical insights concerning the journeys of Indigenous hockey players. I plan to share these findings through the CSC’s platform, with the main goal being to inform the public about the inequities in some Indigenous youth hockey experiences as well as to promote under-scouted high-level Indigenous hockey players. My expertise in statistical analysis (both quantitative and qualitative) has led me to new conclusions about current Indigenous hockey players upon learning about their paths to junior or high school hockey. I plan to present these findings to demonstrate the differences between some Indigenous athletic journeys and some privileged athletic opportunities that co-exist in neighbouring cities/communities. In doing so, I hope to contribute to the growing collection of Indigenous athlete research pieces and publicize issues that are not currently being promoted in mainstream media.

  Current Projects 

  Many of my research projects concern Indigenous sport through a strong partnership with the Manitoba Aboriginal Sport & Recreation Council (MASRC). One project that I recently completed was preparing important documents for the 2025 Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games. This event will be held in two nations, Norway House Cree Nation and Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation serves as both an athletic and cultural celebration next summer. I also created the High-Level Indigenous Hockey Players Map. This has been a 5-month project to collect and organize Indigenous hockey players into a database to promote their achievements. I used my database management expertise to create database and map templates for volunteers to easily attach player info to their hometowns and eventual points on a map. The project began as a Google Doc of 80-ish names and has since become a full-fledged database with over 1000 high-level Indigenous hockey players. The Google My Map visual for this database has amassed over 32,000 views, which has completely surpassed my expectations. A special shoutout goes to Hockey Indigenous for their help throughout this process and for promoting the map on their website.

  What is your Favourite TV Show? 

  Prison Break or Bojack Horseman

  What are your current Hobbies and Interests? 

  Practically every day, I will watch, track, scout, research, or play hockey. When not focused on hockey, I like to read and play guitar or piano. I recently also started playing disc golf and I enjoy many outdoor activities like basketball and Spikeball.

  What’s your Favourite Sport? 

  My favourite sport is hockey, and my favourite team is the Dallas Stars. They don’t get much media attention in southern Ontario, but I have been following them closely since about 2014.

  Achievements/Memorable Moments 

  Being part of a panel at the Indigenous Hockey Research Network’s inaugural conference at McGill University in October 2023 was a proud personal moment. I was also selected to be a page in the Ontario Legislature when I was in Grade 7, which is a proud memory of moving to Toronto for 5 weeks in 2014 to work for the provincial government at Queen’s Park.

  Future Plans 

  During my Master’s, I plan to continue working/volunteering in my 5-6 positions if time allows. The main goal throughout my Master’s is to apply the Indigenous hockey organizational learning and knowledge from the Master’s research into a live environment. I hope to build relationships with Indigenous hockey organizations as part of working with Indigenous youth athletes. I also hope to work with non-Indigenous Junior and Professional hockey organizations over the next few years, both locally and potentially overseas. The end goal is to work in a meaningful management space within a professional hockey organization, and I will continue to work until that happens.

  Categories: Member Showcases

• Taela Ritchie – Exit Blog, Event, Marketing, and Communications Assistant

  Friday, April 19, 2024 | By ma19gm

  As I near the end of my internship at the Centre for Sport Capacity (CSC), I find myself looking back on the incredible journey of personal and professional growth I’ve experienced over the past eight months. From day one, I was welcomed into a welcoming environment that not only encouraged me to excel but also provided me with the tools and opportunities to do so. As I move on from this chapter of my life, I extend my gratitude to Grace Nelson and Dr. Julie Stevens. Throughout my time at the CSC, their constant support and willingness to offer guidance has been amazing and I appreciate them continuously presenting me with opportunities for growth and learning. This internship has exceeded all my expectations, and I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity.

  Throughout my time at the Centre there were many opportunities to expand my professional portfolio and knowledge. One of the most rewarding experiences during my internship was leading the planning of a book launch event. Taking on the role of the main planner for this event allowed me to navigate through all the details of event management. From coordinating with AV and custodial to securing a venue to implementing social media marketing strategies, every aspect of the planning process refined my project management skills and deepened my understanding of event planning. My time at the CSC also afforded me the opportunity to learn how to develop a website. Crafting a website for a Sport Management Professor honed my skills in content creation and layout design. Collaborating closely with the professor, I tailored the website to meet his specific needs, honing my abilities in client communication and project management. This project enhanced my technical skills and gave me confidence to create more web development projects if needed. At the CSC, I embraced the role of crafting a magazine using Canva, a graphic design platform. Through this project, I honed my skills in graphic design, colours, and imagery to convey the magazines messages.

  I am immensely grateful for the opportunity I had at the CSC. It has been a transformative experience that has not only allowed me to grow both personally and professionally but has also equipped me with invaluable skills and knowledge that I will carry forward into my future careers. Working alongside a dedicated and supportive team like Grace Nelson and Dr. Julie Stevens has been a privilege, and their guidance and mentorship have played a significant role in shaping my journey during my time at the Centre for Sport Capacity. I am deeply thankful for the trust they placed in me and for the countless opportunities they provided for learning and development. This internship has truly been a cornerstone in my professional growth, and I am grateful for every moment spent at the CSC.

  Categories: Students

• April Member Showcase – Lucas Rotondo

  Friday, April 05, 2024 | By ma19gm

  

  Background 

  Given my experience and focus on working within the sport event space, particularly on Indigenous sport events, my area of expertise to this point in my academic and professional career has been focused on that unique intersection within the sport industry. As a result, I was approached by Stephane Friday of Hockey Indigenous to work on the upcoming National Indigenous Junior Hockey Championships (NIJHC), which has allowed me to expand on my interest for Indigenous sport and sport events by applying the knowledge and experience I’ve garnered throughout my studies and work. In discussing this role with Dr. Taylor McKee, we recognized an opportunity to leverage the volunteer capabilities of the CSC and it’s relationship with Brock’s driven Sport Management students. I plan to build out the volunteer-related logistics and access Brock’s Sport Management students on behalf of the CSC and Hockey Indigenous. Ultimately, this would allow the NIJHC to flourish through enhanced support and capacity, while also providing Brock Sport Management students the opportunity to gain hands-on event-related experience. 

  Current Projects 

  While wrapping up my fourth and final semester, I recently engaged in researching the topic of “women’s sport and representation of women’s sporting events in the media.” I learned plenty about the differences in sponsorship, media representation – both quality and quantity – and how these issues reinforce negative gender stereotypes both within sport and society.   

  My most recent project, which is ongoing, is my work on the NIJHC with Hockey Indigenous. We are a small team of volunteers which has allowed me to take on a very hands-on role. As a result, I’ve been afforded very meaningful and critical responsibilities and tasks that allow me the opportunity to apply the expertise I’ve gained from my previous work experiences and studies. For example, I’m currently working on selecting the venue for the event while being mindful of key logistical components, developing the event website and social media, facilitating the internal database and organizational materials, and related event management / administration tasks.   

  Industry work 

  Prior to my work on the NIJHC, I was tasked with creating the programming for the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) x Carnegie Initiative’s partnership, which was aimed at encouraging hockey participants to have conversations about racism within and the culture of the sport of hockey. I created synchronous and asynchronous programming so that all 60 CHL teams could participate on their own schedule, and this programming generally included a film viewing, participation in and viewing of a panel discussion, and proof of performance collection. I was also able to bring this programming to life at the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game by gathering nearly 200 high-school students, CHL players, delegates, and panel speakers together to watch the Carnegie Initiatives “Beyond Their Years” film as well as a panel discussion regarding both the film and concepts of race and racism within hockey.   

  What is your Favourite TV Show? 

  Survivor and Attack on Titan 

  What are your current Hobbies and Interests? 

  I enjoy playing just about any sport. Right now and for the last year or so I’ve focused on volleyball and becoming a better player, though I also enjoy playing hockey, basketball, and soccer. As such, I keep up with all professional sports, following the NHL most closely. I’ve also developed an interest in working out and learning how to most efficiently train in the gym. I’ve always been interested in video games and esports, most notably Rocket League. Truthfully, I’m interested in just about anything I can compete in, whether it’s against others or myself. 

  What’s your Favourite Sport? 

  At the moment, my favourite sport to play is volleyball and my favourite sport to watch is basketball. Hockey is certainly my favourite sport in general simply because of my involvement in the sport years ago. My favourite sports teams are the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Raptors, but I always wrote “#8 Ovechkin” on my wooden street hockey sticks as a child. 

  Achievements/Memorable Moments 

  The 2023 North American Indigenous Games Opening Ceremonies was arguably my most memorable working experience so far in my career. To recount the event, I was already ecstatic to be in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the first time in my life as I love to travel and enjoy new experiences. My role throughout this event was to capture and disseminate social media content with the goal of archiving content, posting to social media channels, and creating a newsletter for the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council and Team Manitoba. As such, it was my job to follow Team Manitoba throughout the street parade and into Scotiabank Centre. I can vividly remember entering the loud arena through the side door to get ahead of our athletes with the goal of recording them walking into the venue. Ironically and selfishly, I missed the first few athletes as I took a few seconds to soak in the experience; the music, the cheering, the atmosphere, the smiles on everyone’s face, the thousands of spectators already filling up and seated within the massive arena, being in a new city and province, the week I was about to have – I was thinking about all of these things over the span of just a few seconds, and I’m thankful it seemed to last so much longer. My immense effort, urgency to push myself beyond my comfort zone, desire to be excellent and stand out, and ability to adapt and excel in any task thrown my way had led me to that specific moment. As a culmination of all of my personal and professional qualities and drive, finding myself in that moment reflects as an achievement in and of itself. I’m incredibly proud and grateful for that moment as it most memorably presented me with the opportunity to reflect on why I work so hard, what’s important to me, and where I hope to take my career.  

  Future Plans 

  I hope to find myself working more closely within the sport event space, though I can truly see myself working in any role or department. I plan to return to Brock University in 2025 to study the intersection of Indigenous sport and sport events by researching the practices, execution, broader impact, and cultural significance of prominent Indigenous sporting events such as the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, North American Indigenous Games, and National Indigenous Junior Hockey Championships. Ultimately, my personal goal is to continue pushing myself outside of my comfort zone to learn new skills, theory, and ultimately to have new experiences as a result. 

   

   

  Categories: Member Showcases

• March Member Showcase – Joseph Dick

  Monday, March 04, 2024 | By ma19gm

  Background

  As an undergraduate, I studied in the sport management program at Brock University. While I always planned to go into industry after I finished my degree, Dr. Craig Hyatt’s SPMA 4P85 class shifted my sights to the master’s program where I was fortunate enough to secure Dr. Hyatt as my supervisor.

  Currently, my work is focused on psychological and sociological antecedents to sport consumer behaviour within sport marketing. In this regard, my research currently focuses on how sport consumers navigate adverse events. Of importance here is how sport organization may leverage strategies for to garner and retain support. From a business perspective, I am fascinated by exploring what factors drive growth in fandom and consumption. Translated to application, this means to provide accurate and targeted marketing/communication practices for driving growth in revenue.

  I joined the Centre of Sport Capacity to assist in knowledge mobilization. I believe that my research could be used directly in industry.  I hope through membership, I will be able to contribute my expertise to relevant industry partners and receive support in mobilizing my knowledge.

  Current Projects

  Currently, I am working to complete my master’s thesis. This is a qualitative research project aiming to understand the impact of the upstart men’s professional golf league called LIV Golf, as it attempts to rival the traditional, historically dominant PGA Tour. Since the beginning of my thesis, the organizations have since announced a merger, meaning I am now examining the fan perspective on the events of LIV Golf through the announcement of the merger.

  I am currently writing my findings for my thesis, focusing specifically at how golf becomes “sacred” to participants, and how that influences their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours toward LIV Golf and the announcement of the merger. With the sacred elements of golf, it seems as though the sport operates as a sort of quasi-religion entity in the modern industrialized world, encompassing a variety of reactions of fans. With this, I hope to contribute to relevant literature of how sport can indeed carry “sacred” elements, which must be considered in the marketing of a sport object.

  Industry work

  Last summer, I completed a research project with the Niagara River Lions to help achieve their organizational goal surrounding increasing attendance. To utilize my consumer expertise and research skills, I drew from academic literature in consumer behaviour, psychology, and marketing to create and conduct a survey. With the findings, meaningful recommendations were made to stakeholders on how they could utilize marketing dollars more effectively to increase attendance.

  I hope to do more industry research this coming summer.

  Are you involved in any clubs/associations?

  Throughout my undergraduate and master’s degrees, I have been a member of the Brock University cross country and track and field teams.

  What is your Favourite TV Show?

  The Office.

  What are your current Hobbies and Interests?

  I am very into the research right now. Running is my other major hobby. More minor hobbies include watching professional sport, hiking, and biking.

  What’s your Favourite Sport?

  Running is my favourite participatory sport while American football is my preferred spectator sport.

  Achievements/Memorable Moments

  I would say that in my personal life, running my final collegiate OUA cross country race comes to mind as the most significant. I had been training for many years to that point and seen the team improve significantly over my tenure. This race was our last chance to qualify for the USports (Nationals) or my cross-country running career for Brock would be over. My parents and other significant people in my life came to watch and it was a highly emotional day to finally qualify for USports after 5 years on the team.

  In terms of research, the day I was accepted to the MA program is not a day I will forget soon. Dr. Hyatt called me down from my hometown of Guelph to meet him in his office and informed me that he would take me on as his grad student. That was pretty surreal, and I could not wipe the grin off my face after.

  Future Plans

  In the future, I plan to pursue my PhD and become a university professor and researcher. I have enjoyed the research journey so far, and I hope to continue down this path, while also leveraging my work to help industry.

  Categories: Member Showcases

• Matthew Amos – Entry Blog, Marketing, Communications, and Event Coordinator

  Tuesday, January 23, 2024 | By ma19gm

  Sports have been the focal point of my life since a very young age. Growing up I played various sports ranging from hockey to basketball and it was my experience participating and watching these that made me want to work within the sport industry. Sports can be used as a tremendous outlet for positive change in the world by promoting physical activity, teamwork, and creating growth within communities. Being a part of that culture is a huge reason why I am excited to intern at the Centre for Sport Capacity (CSC). 

  Hi, my name is Matthew Amos, and I am from Wawa, Ontario. In case you haven’t heard of it, it is a small town just north of Sault Ste. Marie. I love watching and participating in most sports; however, I am most interested in hockey by far. I grew up playing in the Wawa Minor Hockey Association throughout elementary school and high school and have recently got back into playing this year in Brock’s intramural league. I am currently in my fourth year at Brock University studying Sport Management and graduating in the spring of 2024. This winter I will be interning in the CSC’s Marketing, Communications, and Event Coordinator position. Most of my professional experience has been blue collar labor work, so I am very excited to finally get my foot in the door of the sport industry and work closely with a variety of organizations. 

  Since I have always been interested in sports and business, enrolling in Sport Management was an easy decision. I have learned so much in the last four years of my program that will help me in my future career. Some of my favorite courses were Professional Engagement for the Sport Industry, Sport Marketing, and Sport Management Ethics. These three courses have really helped me to discover my interests and taught me many useful skills that will help me in my career such as proper professional communication, research, and critical thinking skills. Another course that supported my learning was Quantitative Analysis for Sport Management. It was difficult learning about data analysis and the many different formulas that come along with it; however, I did have a lot of fun with the challenge and it made me want to learn more about data management. My love and passion for sport and business will guide me while working for the CSC. I cannot wait to learn various technical and interpersonal skills that will help me develop as a professional such as: 

  • Digital program proficiency 
  • Project management  
  • Decision making 
  • Professional communication skills. 

  This position was recommended to me by our experiential education coordinator at Brock. Upon reviewing the CSC’s website and the description of the internship position, I immediately knew that this was an experience I did not want to pass up. A few past events that immediately stood out to me were the 2023 Club Development Workshop and the CSC’s involvement at the 2023 Grand Slam of Curling. I thought that the CSC’s work with various organizations and the topic of both events were extremely compelling and something that I would be interested in engaging in. From there, I applied for the position and conducted an interview shortly afterwards with the CSC’s Director Dr. Julie Stevens and the Centre Coordinator Grace Nelson. Both Dr. Stevens and Grace did a tremendous job introducing the CSC and giving me a better idea of what the internship would entail. The marketing and event management aspect of the position stood out to me and the chance to learn more about valuable digital programs used at the Centre such as WordPress, Canva, and Google Analytics. After just a few days here I was given the opportunity to explore both the CSC’s Instagram and LinkedIn accounts and got familiar with both WordPress and Canva. I look forward to utilizing my data management and Canva skills throughout this position. 

  I am still unsure of what I want to do with my professional career path; however, the CSC is giving me a lot of opportunities to explore the sport industry and find the career path that I would like to pursue. I am extremely excited to learn more about project management, marketing, and data analytics. I have always been interested in data analytics, especially when it comes to hockey and evaluating a player’s ability. I am hoping the Centre’s engagement with data analytics will help me grow my understanding of using data and data management in the workplace. 

  Overall, I am very excited to be a part of the Centre for Sport Capacity team, I am so thankful to finally be working within the sport industry and with sport organizations. Sport is a huge passion of mine; I wholeheartedly believe that sports can change people’s lives for the better and have a very big impact within people’s communities. I am confident that the CSC will teach me valuable skills that I can then utilize to make a difference in the sport industry. I encourage all students to get out of their comfort zones and to try to learn as much as possible throughout university to try and make a difference in the world. 

  Categories: Students

• Jonathan Pinnington – Exit Blog, Marketing, Communications, and Event Coordinator

  Thursday, December 14, 2023 | By jp20xu

  

  Only three months ago, I entered my internship at the Centre for Sport Capacity (CSC) as the Marketing, Communications and Event Intern. How fast time has flown, as I near the end of my internship. I can now look back at my four months at the Centre and see how much I have grown both as a person and a professional. 

  To begin, I would first like to thank Dr. Julie Stevens, Director of the CSC, and Grace Nelson, Coordinator at the CSC for granting me this internship opportunity. From the beginning, Dr. Stevens and Grace asked me what I wanted to get out of my placement so that they could tailor the internship to my interests and goals. From then on, I knew the CSC was the place I wanted to intern. The team’s openness and enthusiasm for my interests would ensure that this internship would both meet and exceed my expectations and anticipated outcomes, which it did. 

  During my time at the CSC, I was constantly given opportunities to not only develop new skills, but also to strengthen my pre-existing skills through various tasks. Being a visual and hands-on learner, I was encouraged to dive right in and experiment with my creativity on Canva when making content. This allowed me to gain experience in independent work while also experimenting with new ideas for different designs and styles on social media, and website layouts. Grace encouraged me to let my creative mind flow which made me feel that my creativity was encouraged and not being stifled.  Additionally, this encouragement to work artistically allowed me to create some of my most original content to date. As part of my daily tasks, I was able to showcase my content through the CSC’s X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts, for which I posted over 70 pieces of content combined and created over 100 pieces total. One of the designs I am most proud of is my Women’s History Month Post highlighting Dr. Stevens’ co-authored book titled “Too Many Men On The Ice: Women’s Hockey in North America.” 

  My most memorable experience at the CSC was having the opportunity to attend, plan, manage, and host various events. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the Grand Slam of Curling in Niagara to conduct an event impact analysis. At this event, I was tasked with asking spectators, vendors, and volunteers to complete an event impact analysis survey, to determine what impact this event had on the Niagara region. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet employees at Sportsnet who gave my colleagues and me a behind-the-scenes tour of the Grand Slam, and we got to learn about the broadcasting and management of a large-scale event.  

  Further, during my four months at the CSC we hosted; a Safe Sport Hybrid Forum titled “Can Sport Regulate Itself?”, a Book Launch and Author Reading, and lastly a Club Development Workshop on emotional labour in coaching. I was very fortunate to experience being the lead event planner and manager for 3 of these 4 events, for which I gained many valuable skills such as leadership, working collaboratively with others, and communications. These skills can be applied to my future career as I will always be working with others to collaborate on various projects, tasks, and/or events. 

  Moreover, the CSC allowed me to develop and strengthen my skills in communications, decision-making, social media proficiency, and competency in digital softwares. Developing these skills were learning objectives I set out for myself at the beginning of the internship. I gained experience in communications through writing emails and social media captions. This along with Grace’s comments about tone, consistency and cohesion, audience, and message, has allowed me to become a much more competent and stronger writer. Regarding decision-making, this is something I found quite challenging at the beginning of my internship as I was new to the CSC and was not yet familiar with their brand. I now feel I am much more confident in making decisions regarding administrative communications, social media designs, event planning and execution.  

  Moving into social media proficiency, while I had experience with Instagram prior to my placement, LinkedIn and X were new to me. Having the opportunity to use and interact with these platforms daily has allowed me to become much more proficient with social media. Lastly, prior to my time at the CSC, my competency in digital softwares was an area I was eager to expand my skills in. At the CSC, we use softwares such as Canva, Google Analytics, and WordPress among others. These softwares were new to me and I can now say I am much more competent in using these platforms to create designs for social media, to collect analytics, and to design websites. 

  Overall, my internship placement at the CSC has both met and exceeded my expectations. The skills and knowledge I gained were crucial to my personal and professional development. I am forever grateful for the opportunities the CSC provided me and would highly recommend an internship at the CSC to any fourth year Sport Management Student. I look forward to a future career in the sports world using what I have learned during my time at the CSC. 

  Categories: Students