Having only arrived at the Club in September last year, Fan Experiences Coordinator Airley Clancey has proven to be a key contributor to the Marketing department.
As part of Collingwood’s 2023 International Women's Day Staff Spotlight Series, we sat down with Airlie where she shared her perspectives and experiences working in sport.
Tell me a little bit about your journey to the Collingwood Football Club; how did you get your start in the industry, and what led you to this role in particular?
After finishing school, I studied a Bachelor of Business (Sport & Recreation Management & Marketing) and worked with numerous football clubs and sporting organisations in both paid and volunteer roles to gain as much experience in the industry as I could. At the end of 2022 I made the journey over from Adelaide to Melbourne as I secured an exciting new role with Collingwood. I was drawn to this role as it allows me to have a positive impact on so many people through optimising the experiences of our wonderful fans at our game days and events.
Does your role have different objectives depending on the time of year? How does it change between traditional 9-5 to gameday?
Working across the different Collingwood teams, our objectives are certainly changing throughout the year. In sport, traditional working hours are not common, which can be both challenging but very exciting. I love that each day is different and brings rewarding new opportunities.
What does it mean to you to work in a largely male-dominated industry? What are the biggest challenges and/or most rewarding aspects of your job?
Although we sit in a largely male-dominated industry, Collingwood has a wonderful balance of people working behind the scenes. Fortunately, the diverse mix of staff, athletes, and volunteers creates a fair, respectful and supportive environment that allows me to play my role within the wider Club strategy.
What does International Women's Day mean to you, and can you speak to how important it is for sporting organisations to recognise such days?
International Women’s Day is a great opportunity for sporting organisations to highlight achievements of the women around us. It also serves as a reminder of the various challenges different people face and how they work to overcome them. However, these efforts shouldn’t be restricted to one day nor just to women. I believe it is important that all people receive the recognition and celebration they deserve for their efforts throughout the year.
What advice would you give to your younger self, or to any other women looking to break into this industry?
My advice to anyone looking to join the AFL or wider sporting industry is to ignore the barriers you think may exist because of your personal characteristics and have a go.
Be confident in yourself and know your skill sets. A high level of self-awareness will allow you to showcase the value you can provide to an organisation, nothing else should matter.
