EELS INSTITUTE WRAP UP – TERM 1 2026
Updated: May 4
STARTING LINE:
On January 27th 2026, we officially kicked off the Eels Institute with 43 students; the largest inaugural education cohort across the NRL.
We had 24 students enroll in our first, Dual Diploma of Sport (Coaching) / Leadership & Management intake. This dual diploma is focused on helping students build the knowledge and skills that are required to drive growth in sport; whether that’s growth on-the-field or off-the-field. We also had 19 students enrol in our first, Dual Diploma of Sport (Coaching) / Project Management intake. This dual diploma is focused on developing students' ability to coordinate events, projects and operations in sport.
It was so special to see them all ‘unbox’ their Eels Institute kit and wear their polos so proudly!
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Students launched into work experience from the very first week of their studies...
7 students supported the Boots for a Better Future Initiative; a collaboration between the Eels’ Partnership Team, Junior League & James Hardie.
30 students supported with the Eels’ 2026 Fan Day at CommBank stadium to close out their first week at the Eels Institute.
Throughout the term, students have supported with a variety of other events at the Club and gained exposure to a variety of different departments at the Parramatta Eels including:
Club Event: | Departments Overseeing Event: |
Partner Kick Off Event | Partnerships + Consumer (Hospitality) |
Parra Perform | Football Operations (High Performance) |
Members’ Forum | Consumer (Membership) |
Winter Merch Content Shoot | Marketing, Digital & Content + Consumer (Merchandise) |
Under 6 Fun Day | Junior League |
EasterFest Extravaganza | Community |
Wellbeing & Culture Day | Junior League + Education & Wellbeing |
Foundation Gala Night | Foundation + Game Day & Events |
And, let’s not forget about the biggest event of them all... Game Days! We had:
31 students contribute to our first Home Game of the season against the Dragons.
34 students contribute to our sold out, Easter Monday clash against the Tigers.
28 students contribute to our third Home Game of the season against the Titans.
26 students contribute to our fourth Home Game of the season against the Bulldogs.
Across these Game Days, students dived into a variety of roles, such as supporting our Fan Engagement Initiatives, enhancing the experiences of guests across our Premium Hospitality Spaces, raising funds for the Eels Foundation, shadowing the Digital & Content team, as well as assisting with all-things Bump In/Out. One of the highlights for them (and me!) has been getting to feature in the pre-game show each week and playing a part in establishing new Game Day Rituals and Traditions for the Parramatta Eels!
We’ve also kicked off our Club Projects and Internships, which has seen:
Matt completed a 36(+)-hour internship with the Consumer Sales team (you can read more about his experience here!).
Cody, Josh & Riley support Junior League with analysing and reporting on Junior League Club financials (you can read more about their experience here!).
Caitlin kick off her 100-hour internship with the Game Day & Events team.
Chris kick off his 100-hour internship with the Consumer Sales team.
I’m loving seeing these projects and internships come to life because students are acting as a genuine extension of these Parramatta Eels’ departments, which provides them with such practical experience and meaningful connections to staff at the Club.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
The students have also had the privilege of gaining real-life insight into a professional sporting organisation through several Guest Speaker sessions facilitated by leaders at the Club.
They learnt about:
Leadership & Culture from Jim Sarantinos (Chief Executive Officer)
The Commercial Business of Sport from Dan Clifford (Chief Commercial Officer)
Partnerships in Sport from Charlotte Hynes (Head of Partnerships & Sales) & Matthew Stewart (Business Development Manager)
The Consumer in Sport from Tom Jamsek (Head of Consumer)
Not only did the students leave these sessions with authentic insight into these concepts and departments within the industry, but they also got to learn about each speakers’ career journey, as well as the key lessons that they’ve learnt along the way, serving as both inspiration and guidance as they design their careers in the sporting industry and beyond.
LOOKING AHEAD TO TERM 2:
Our inaugural cohort are just getting started. Their dual diploma courses are in full swing, they’ve already completed 1200+ work experience hours collectively, heard from 4 key leaders at the Parramatta Eels and they’re already a valued part of the Club. I’m excited to see them continue to grow – personally and professionally – in Term 2!
- Kirstene Ciappara | Education Program Manager, Parramatta Eels
WANT TO JOIN US AT THE EELS INSTITUTE?
If you’re interested in studying at the Eels Institute and have finished Year 12:
We’ve opened up enrolments for our mid-year intake. The course on offer for this intake will be a Dual Diploma of Project Management / Leadership Management. Register for one of our upcoming info sessions via the Events page on our website.
If you’re interested in studying at the Eels Institute, but haven’t finished Year 12 yet:
Jump on our January intake waitlist and stay up to date, as we’ll be opening up our January enrolments later in the year.
