Stephanie Maiolo will be the first to admit that she didn’t envision a career in sport. For the now football operations manager, it was a series of sliding door moments that led her to the unique role.
Now as she manages a full-time career Maiolo has embarked on her second Touch World Cup.
“I’ve always been into sport – obviously I grew up playing – but I didn’t actually think about having a career in it,” Maiolo told Sydney Swans Media.
Studying at UTS, Maiolo explained that she initially began a law degree before deferring weeks into the course. She took a year off study and discovered a passion for sport and exercise management. In her final year of university, she received an internship role at the Sydney Swans.
“I got that role and realised once you’re in you can figure out what you want to do. I started in events and didn’t realise my current role until I landed in it.”
In her seventh year with the club Maiolo currently manages and facilitates logistics, support and travel for staff and players. On game day she serves as the club’s interchange steward.
“There’s opportunity for development and a high level of genuine care that people have here. We’re all working together to achieve a common goal."
The operations manager is just one of a handful of staff who moonlights as an elite athlete, and our only staff member to hold world champion status.
Maiolo made her debut for the national mixed open team in 2019 scoring a remarkable 24 tries across the tournament, as Australia were crowned world champions. This month she's in the UK and hopes for a repeat performance.
Despite the challenging commitments Maiolo says touch football is an escape from the pressures of work.
“It’s been a busy year. When I’m not travelling with the Swans, I’m travelling for camp.
“It’s a bit of an outlet for me to be fair. If I finish up work and then I can go train, it’s a good release. I just have to make sure I’m organised.”
The world cup competition is structured with four pools and within those pools are six or seven rounds. The top teams will then play in a series of finals to crown the world champions. Much like her role at the Swans, Maiolo says she’s learned the importance of preparation.
“I’ve learnt to get up for all the games in the same way that you would a final. The last World Cup in Malaysia was also a completely different tournament I’ve ever played because of the heat.
“Preparation is everything. It won’t be as hot in England but making sure we’re as best prepared as possible.”
Maiolo’s links to elite sport – both as an athlete and profession - are what young girls and women often dream of. She says belief is the first step to securing such opportunities.
“I feel women won’t apply for a job because they don’t think they fit the criteria of it… You can learn as you go,” she noted.
"Once you get in, you can kind of take your career and drive it and make it what you want.”
For more information on the 2024 Touch World Cup, visit here. For job availabilities at the Sydney Swans visit our careers page here or follow our LinkedIn page for updates.
