Rebecca Aston is among a wide-ranging team of staff bringing Hamilton and its venues to life for the city’s major events.
There’s a chance you might stroll right past her on your way into FMG Stadium Waikato when the All Blacks are in town in September. She’ll be clad in her branded clothing, mobile phone in one hand, clipboard in the other, with an earpiece and headset radio as part of her uniform.
Rebecca is the Council’s Major Events Manager, and as the job title suggests, she’s a key part of a wider team of staff across the organisation who bid for, secure and deliver major events for the city – think world cups, All Blacks matches, and the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament… and everything that comes with those.
Somewhat ironically, Rebecca has to watch the replays of the matches to stay across the action – she seldom catches the on-field action live.
“I’m normally running around outside, and then when the game starts, I don’t even know it’s kicked off!” she laughs.
Growing up with an “absolutely sports-mad father and brother”, Rebecca’s been a sports fan – and she says that’s gone up a notch now she has direct involvement in securing major sporting fixtures for Hamilton. In her second stint with the Council – she previously had an online-focussed role – she’s been directly involved in Rugby League World Cup 2017, the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017, plus the first two instalments of the hugely successful Sevens event. She is now deep in preparations for the upcoming All Blacks v Tonga and Great Britain Rugby League Lions v Tonga matches.
Although all the events Rebecca works on come with unique aspects, she says the Rugby League World Cup 2017 was her favourite so far.
“It was seeing the passion in the city, particularly from the Tongan supporters with their flags, their decorated cars driving around, the endless horn tooting – but mostly the energy in the stadium,” she says.
“I had goosebumps on my arms when they (Tonga and Samoa) were doing the prayer together.”
Rebecca’s worked is varied: “The way I look at it, I am responsible for everything that happens in the city outside the stadium gates. My job is to bring the city alive when an event is along, work with all the key stakeholders to make sure everything is running smoothly – including additional city events – and make sure the teams have an enjoyable time when they’re here to play.”
It doesn’t end there – she helps with event promotion, supports event ticket sales, and if you’ve seen event-branded flags dangling from the city’s lampposts…yep, they’re Rebecca’s responsibility too.
“It can be long hours, but I love it,” she says.
Planning for a major event can begin up to three years in advance: the particularly large events like world cups fall under the Major Events Management Act, which comes with added logistics and responsibilities for the host cities and organisations.
Securing major events is a competitive process and Rebecca’s also responsible for pulling together what are known as “bids” – put simply, ensuring the city’s ability to deliver great events is pitched directly to event owners and organisers. A bid can be made up to five years out from the event itself, with the work really ramping up a year out from when the event commences.
Rebecca says her maximum job satisfaction comes from a well-run trouble-free event and smiling happy fans after the event is over.
“The biggest thing for me is seeing people having a good time, and the enjoyment they get.
“I love seeing the city come alive, and really embracing the events we have. I want to show we are a great host city to bring major events to.”
- Tickets to the All Blacks vs Tonga rugby test at FMG Stadium Waikato are available from allblacks.com
- Tickets to the Great Britain Lions vs Tonga rugby league test at FMG Stadium Waikato are available from ticketek.co.nz