The partnership between Hunslet and Leeds Beckett University, which involves the input of marketing expertise by the university’s staff and students, was one of several exciting innovations announced by the Parksiders in 2020.
Students Marc Bulsa, Rachel Hatley and Hugh Whidborne will undoubtedly each gain invaluable hands-on experience during their internship under the expert tutelage of senior lecturer Kacy Mackreth, while Hunslet will certainly benefit from greatly improved marketing.
Marc, Rachel and Hugh (dubbed the Three Marketeers) were given an extra boost – as were the Parksiders – when the vastly experienced and successful Philip Crampton was appointed to the board in January as interim Marketing and Communications Director.
The Marketeers introduce themselves to Hunslet’s supporters….
Marc Bulsa
Born and raised in France, I grew up playing Rugby League from the age of four before alternating between Rugby Union and Rugby 7s at a later age. Growing up playing this sport means I grew up with the values of respect, teamwork, excellence, discipline, and sportsmanship.
In 2013 I moved to the Netherlands to learn English, and attended a British school. It is through the rugby club that I was able to remain confident in a new environment and interacting in a whole new language. It may sound like a cliché, but I feel like rugby has its own language, its own identity.
After graduating with a first class degree in Sport and Exercise Science, I decided to continue my studies at Leeds Beckett University in the field of Sport Business and Management, to broaden my knowledge of the Sport Industry.
This internship at Hunslet RLFC is a great opportunity to develop my marketing skills and theory-based knowledge in a working environment. Moreover, Hunslet RLFC is the perfect place to do so as the values of the club align with the ones I have been taught at rugby back home, and the staff’s professionalism is something I will learn a lot from.
I am excited to fully engage in my role of Social Media & Communications to start getting to know the club’s fans and other members of the local community as well as making a positive impact on the club.
I miss being on field and cheering in the stadium and Hunslet’s first home game after Covid is an experience I wouldn’t miss for the world.
Hugh Whidborne
I’m originally a Rugby Union player… but please don’t hold that against me!
I’ve been a student at Leeds Beckett University for four years now and upon starting my masters in sports business management I was eager to get as much experience as possible in marketing and business, so when the opportunity came up to get involved with Hunslet I jumped at the opportunity.
Whilst researching the club, not only did its deep history and place within the south Leeds community impress me, but also the obvious ambition for long-term success on the field, and in the boardroom.
I must say although having only just started the placement with my fellow students, Rachel and Marc, we have been made to feel more then welcome by everyone involved. Through this placement I’m hoping to further my knowledge and skills by feeding off the experience of Hunslet’s board and applying what I have learn so far from my master’s degree.
Here’s to a successful 2021!
Rachel Hatley
Although my knowledge and enjoyment of Rugby League comes only from cheerleading on the sidelines of university games, I could not be more excited to start this great opportunity with Hunslet.
Following the completion of my Sport Event Management degree in 2020 I knew I wanted to go down the Sport Marketing route, as a result I started my masters and was eager to gain valuable marketing experience. Therefore, when this opportunity at Hunslet came up I absolutely couldn’t say no!
When looking for student internships I really wanted to find a placement that would make me feel welcome and provide me with ample opportunities to develop my marketing skills, and to me Hunslet was definitely the one that stood out. As the only supporter-owned club in the country, and a club with such strong community ties within Leeds, there are opportunities to grow my knowledge and skills like no other. Within a matter of weeks Hunslet have proved to me that they will be a phenomenal guide through this experience. With all their ambition to strive for success I know I will thoroughly enjoy my time here, and hopefully I can give loads back to you too.
Says Kacy Mackreth: “Hunslet RLFC may only be in League 1 but the strategic focus and the planning going on behind the scenes will provide invaluable real-life experiences for our student interns at Leeds Beckett. The interns will have key areas of responsibility in marketing, sport sponsorship as well as social media and communications. They will aid in generating creative ideas and execute the clubs marketing strategy ahead of the 2021 season, really complementing what they are learning on their Masters degrees in sport business management and strategic sport marketing.”
