Zeeland Recreation Youth Sports Intern
Rachel
Experience Information
Employer: Zeeland Recreation
Job Title: Youth Sport Intern
Major: Sport Management
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Zeeland Recreation offers leisure, recreation, and fitness programs for K-6 and adults within the community of Zeeland. They are an expanding organization that offer programs such as football, little league, martial arts, baking, aquatics, theater, dance, and much more. Zealand Recreation partners with Zeeland Public Schools in offering clinics and camps led by Varsity coaches.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I chose a few programs to take the lead on and work with the instructors to ensure they had their rosters, equipment, and everything they needed to run the program. I worked with Zeeland varsity coaches to gather coaching resources and create packets for the youth volunteer coaches. I attended and participated in board meetings, staff meetings, little league drafts, and coaches meetings. I researched and developed new program ideas and initiated the launch of youth pickle ball. I distributed post program surveys, analyzed the feedback from the surveys, and created reports of recommendations and advancement ideas. I helped run one time events such as the daddy daughter prom and little league showcase day. I created flyers for upcoming events and programs. I created program schedules and designed t-shirt logos for live arm, coach pitch, and tee-ball teams. I took inventory and organized over 600 little league hats and uniforms. I have worked with local partnering businesses in picking up equipment and making orders.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I have become more proficient in Excel and online database navigation. I have become more experienced in handling conflict while it arises and effectively addressing athletes, parents, coaches, and officials. I have built my network and become more comfortable speaking in front of groups.
Favorite Part of the Experience
I was given the freedom and flexibility to choose what areas I wanted to focus on and put my effort on. I was also welcomed in as part of the staff and encouraged and supported as a developing professional. I was included in staff outings and events. I felt appreciated and productive throughout the entire experience.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
It will help me in building connections and expanding in my networks. It has given me applicable experience in the administrative side of sport and all that goes on behind the scenes to effectively run sport programs and coordinate events. My experience helped me by exposing me to work within an office and made me more knowledgeable in recreation and youth sport.