For those working in the international sports industry, it can be a very familiar and close-knit group. There is a common passion, a common team mentality and a common pursuit for the same goals. But for all the commonalities, working in sports in Asia can be quite different from working in sports in Europe. When Clara moved to Switzerland to work at TEAM, she was already well-accustomed to living and travelling internationally.
Growing up in Hong Kong, she was always interested in sports. So when she decided to study sports events management, attending a university in the UK was the logical choice. Studying abroad did come with cultural challenges, but Clara has always been confident and motivated.
She was lucky to work at the Olympic Games in Beijing and Vancouver early in her career as part of the Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, followed by the Asian Beach Games in Oman and then across Asian football back in Hong Kong. Clara loved the opportunity to interact with different cultures and to gain experience across so many different areas of the sports world. She knew she’d never be satisfied only working for local sports, and thus was ready to bring her career to Europe. At TEAM, she has the opportunity to contribute to the UEFA club competitions across Europe, while collaborating with international sponsor partners.
“Relocating to a new continent is a big decision and requires a lot of planning. But, the culture here at TEAM is one of the most open and inclusive I’ve experienced thus far. Everyone really wants you to succeed and is focussed on sharing knowledge and time with each other; it’s not competitive or intimidating.”
With her family living over 9,000 km away and opportunities to visit them restricted even more by the Covid-19 pandemic, Clara’s initial years in Switzerland were not what she expected. But with her resilient mindset and colleagues who have become true friends, adjusting to life in Europe has been a positive experience.
“Over the winter holidays, when I couldn’t go home to see my family, my colleagues invited me over for a Christmas cookie baking day and also Christmas dinner. At the beginning of Covid, when my family in Hong Kong desperately needed masks, a colleague bought and helped me ship boxes of masks back to my family. If I receive official documents in German, I can bring them into the office and colleagues will help translate them for me. My colleagues have made a real difference in the quality of my life here, thus allowing me to truly focus on adding value and shaping my career in sports.”
Having support so far away from home and family is essential when moving abroad. And combined with the generally efficient nature of Switzerland, moving to Lucerne was the smoothest of all Clara’s re-locations.
While she was initially concerned about moving to a country where she doesn’t speak the same language or have the same background or customs, Clara feels that TEAM recognises the value in different experiences and different skill sets.
I feel that my Asian background provides unique insight and is an advantage for TEAM. As Sponsor Partnerships Manager, I work with a range of diverse partners and projects related to the UEFA Europa League. I love transferring the skills and knowledge I gained from my experience around the world, while continuing to learn from some of the best professionals in the industry.
Are you interested in joining a team that truly cares? Check out our Careers page to learn more about Life at TEAM and our open roles.
