Ahead of La Trobe University’s 2024 Open Day, see how the NFNL’s General Manager of Netball Operations Lauren Theodosis has been a major benefactor of the league’s partnership with the university.
Formed in January 2020 with a 20-year partnership agreement, La Trobe’s partnership with the NFNL not only provides the league with access to outstanding facilities for its headquarters and netball competitions at the La Trobe Sports Stadium on the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus, but it also provides La Trobe students with work integrated learning opportunities to get their foot in the door of the sports industry.
A major benefactor of this partnership has been the new General Manager of Netball Operations at the NFNL, Lauren Theodosis. Lauren’s journey began at La Trobe University in 2017 when she began a Bachelor of Business (Sports Management and Marketing) before graduating in 2020.
As part of the requirements of her degree, Lauren completed an internship at the Northern Football Netball League, and it was thanks to this internship experience that she was able to learn and develop the skills necessary to help secure her first job in the industry.
“The practical experience I gained during my internship allowed me to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and application,” Lauren said.
“My internship served as a valuable networking platform, allowing me to build relationships with the staff at the NFNL.
“The connections I had made and positive feedback I received from my internship supervisors gave me the opportunity to continue working at the NFNL in a paid, part-time role at the conclusion of my placement.”
Along with her volunteering work at the Panton Hill Football Netball Club and her work as a casual Customer Experience Representative at La Trobe Sport, Lauren was able to further develop her skill set and experience in the sport industry.
“The hands-on involvement of grassroots netball operations allowed me to learn many different aspects of sports management such as event coordination, teamwork, communication, adaptability, strategic planning and community engagement,” she said.
“The skill set I had learnt from my volunteering was essential in developing a well-rounded repertoire which has been beneficial in underpinning my professional career development.”
After three and a half years with the NFNL and successfully progressing from a student intern to a Junior Netball Development Coordinator and then a Junior Netball Manager, Lauren was appointed the General Manager of Netball Operations at the NFNL in April 2024.
Lauren credits her career development to her time at La Trobe University, adding that the wide range of opportunities for professional development, as well as the ability to learn from and be mentored by other industry experts, led to her student experience being a positive one.
“With La Trobe University ranking in the top 50 globally for sport, it was a key consideration to my choice to study there,” she said.
“With the university having such a large volume of sports industry partners, it created valuable opportunities for networking and industry placements.”
In offering advice for those looking to study sport at La Trobe University, Lauren highlighted the importance of being hands-on and exploring as many opportunities as possible to gain a head start in the sport industry, particularly given the industry’s competitiveness in entry-level roles.
“Seek internships or volunteer opportunities within sports organisations or clubs, as this experience will be crucial for understanding the demands of the industry and building your resume,” she said.
“Part-time roles available in coaching, umpiring or administrative support can also provide significant opportunities to enhance and refine your skills.”
Find out how you can turn your passion for sport into a career at the La Trobe University’s Open Day at the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus on Sunday 4 August. Register here and attend for your chance to win a $1000 gift card*.
For more information on La Trobe’s sport-related courses, check out the 2025 La Trobe University Sport Guide. If you’d like more information on La Trobe University’s sport industry partnerships, visit the La Trobe Sport website.
