Hannah Hanlon

Dip Sports Management 2018, BSc Sport & Exercise Management 2019

Hannah Hanlon studied Sport and Exercise Management in UCD. "Having completed a year in Arts I knew it wasn’t for me and applied to do the Diploma in UCD and went on to complete my BSc. My course gave me a lot of opportunities to seek experience in the working world. I completed my internship with the IRFU in 2018, where I continued to work part time in my final year. Having gained invaluable experience, I applied for a team operations role within their Operations Department. I have completed 2 seasons with the Irish u20s and I am now a member of the Irish MXV management team".

We asked Hannah to share her experiences of her time studying with us at UCD and how it has helped her in her career to date. Read on to see what she had to say.

What led you to study Sport & Exercise Management? 

Having played sport all of my life it combined the career I wanted with my hobbies.

What was your favourite part of the Sport & Exercise Management course? 

My favourite part was the Event Management module that allowed me to gain practical experience.

What advice would you give to someone considering studying this degree? 

You need to take every opportunity that comes up. Experience is invaluable when you leave University.

What was your experience at UCD like? Any highlights? 

At first I was extremely nervous about choosing UCD. Very few were attending from my school so I was way out of my depth! However UCD was one of the best experiences I have had. A small class size really helped with settling in. My fondest memory would have to be the friends I’ve made. They are still some of my closest friends. They’ve given me life experiences I would never have dreamed of!

What is your current job?

I am Team Operations executive with the Irish Rugby Men’s National Team.

How do you feel the Sport & Exercise Management degree prepared you for this role?

The Event Management module with Amy Bermingham really showed me that experiences are just as important as academic work and by doing both it can be helpful for when applying for jobs when you graduate.

Having the experience of running UCD Tag Rugby really prepared me for my role I’m currently in. UCD Tag Rugby is one of the most popular student activities in UCD. We watched it grow from 10 people on a Monday to over 250 students participating every week.

What is the proudest moment of your career to date? 

Tough one! Two successful seasons with the Irish rugby u20s and a first World Cup have to be up there!

Describe your typical workday. 

There is no typical workday in this role! Some days it is a normal 9-5 in an office, but during a tournament it’s all day every day! It could go from working on a laptop to sitting in the Stade De France at a World Cup match. It can be full on but the people you work with really make it some of the greatest experiences.

What kind of prep did you have to do ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France?

There was such a lot to prepare and plan – flights, accommodation, scheduling, transport. And of course, the team were busy prepping and training. But we had a fantastic tournament with a lot of great moments and memories – it was a really special time.  

Have you always been interested in rugby in particular?

I have always been interested in Rugby, but I play Gaelic Football with my club in Castleknock.

In your career and/or personal life, who have been the most inspiring or helpful mentors/advisors that you’ve had to date?

John Hammond in UCD really pushed me to get the most out of my experience in UCD. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be where I am today! Amy Birmingham also was one of the very best lecturers I had during my 5 years in UCD. David Keane was also another important mentor. I did my internship in his department in the IRFU and it led me to where I am today.

What is life outside work like for you? Tell us a bit about your current life, hobbies or what you do to relax.

When not in tournaments it is vital to get away from it as it can be very full on. I play Gaelic football with Castleknock and spending time with family and friends is really important. They support me through everything which is so important when you can be away for long periods of time.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

My Mum always says 'What’s for you won’t pass you'. I know it’s a pretty common saying however when I first started in UCD it was a saying I had to keep telling myself as I thought I wasn’t where I was meant to be! 

Name 3 people, living or dead, who you would invite to a dinner party, and why. (Not just Rugby stars!)

It would have to be Karen Brady, Joanne McNally and Max Verstappen.

Content added: July 2024