Scott Woodford
Member Association Development Manager (Oceania), FIFA Regional Development Office
Bachelor of Business in International Business & Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management
He loves being able to support the sport he loves through his work, says Scott Woodford who is based in the FIFA Regional Development Office in Auckland.
“I’m part of a small team that provides assistance to the 11 FIFA Member Associations in Oceania. I enjoy knowing that our legacy will remain long after we hand over our jersey.
“What I love most about my work is waking up each day knowing that I have the opportunity to use the sport I love and the dream I’ve chased for so long to make a contribution to the football players and communities in our region.”
Fond memories of AUT
Having always been passionate about football, Scott loved being able to focus on his favourite sport while he was studying business and sport at AUT.
“For my final-year workplace experience I did an internship with the Vanuatu National Sports Commission where my project was on their newly developed infrastructure concerning legacy and sustainability. In the same year, I was also part of a small team that entered into an international competition where we won a slot to present to FC Bayern Munich in Germany, my beloved European team.
“During these moments I saw what I was able to achieve; accelerating my confidence in expressing my abilities. I’m proud of receiving an AUT special award in recognition of delivering an entrepreneurial project to FC Bayern Munich and for my presentation on my workplace experience at the Vanuatu National Sports Commission.”
His time at university helped him grow his confidence, says Scott who went to high school in Australia and first came to AUT to study a diploma in sport and recreation.
“I heard great things about AUT, for example, that it was more practical and industry focused, with first-hand experience from the lecturers. In the beginning, I doubted myself because I wasn’t sure if I belonged at university, however with support from close relations and key lecturers I was able to achieve highlights like being part of the on-campus mentorship programme or the presentation where we created a minibus to promote a service for surfers to reach Piha. But the greatest highlight was graduating with my peers, in front of our families and our lecturers.”
Advice for other students
Scott – who graduated from AUT in 2017 – has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their university journey.
“Don’t rush the process – when an opportunity appears you’ll be able to seize it with both hands.”
There’s a particular quote he lives by.
“There’s a quote from The Alchemist I always remember: ‘When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it, the old king had said.’”
