How to turn the sport you love into a career! Sport panel discussion at the Study Gold Coast Alumni Event on 19 October co-hosted by the Australian Consulate General, Chengdu
On 19 October 2021, Study Gold Coast and the Australian Consulate General in Chengdu jointly hosted an Alumni Event to celebrate the longstanding ties between the Gold Coast and Chengdu. Education partners and Gold Coast Alumni heard from the Mayor of the City of the Gold Coast, Mayor Tom Tate and one of the Mayor’s Student Ambassadors, Ms Echo Zheng.
Mayor of the City of Gold Coast said “Over the years we’ve had so much support from Chengdu in creating exchange opportunities between our cities”. Mayor Tate said that the two cities share many common goals, in particular our interest in sport. “We miss having our Chengdu students on the Gold Coast, and can’t wait to welcome you here again”. Mayor Tate said.
Mayor Tate’s Student Ambassador, Ms Echo Zheng
Ms Echo Zheng, a Chengdu local, is currently studying in Australia. Ms Zheng shared her experience as a high school student on the Gold Coast and made some interesting observations about the differences between the Chinese and Australian education systems. She described her typical day, which regularly includes a stroll by the beach (close to her school) and explained some of the valuable experiences she has obtained as a Student Ambassador for Mayor Tom Tate.
(Insert video interview here)
Both cities will be hosting major sporting events, with Chengdu hosting the University Games in 2022 and the Gold Coast co-hosting the Olympics in 2032
Sports sector panellists, Dr Danny O’Brien, Professor of Sport Management in the Bond Business School at Bond University., Mr Duncan Free former Olympian and Director, Sports Engagement at Griffith University and Mr Fei Yang Vice Director of International Cooperation and Exchange of Chengdu Sport University gave their perspectives on the pathways to careers in the sports industry, challenges facing the sports industry and how you can turn doing the sport you love into a career. Ms Ava Song from AustCham facilitated the discussion.