Aristoteli Taktikos: From Intern to Impactful Leader at the Central Coast Mariners

ICMS alumnus Aristoteli (Teli) Taktikos has journeyed from being an intern at South Sydney Rabbitohs and working at Lifeline to becoming the Head of Commercial Operations at the Central Coast Mariners.

His path in the sports management industry reflects hard work, effective networking, and a focus on community engagement.

Teli graduated from ICMS in 2017 with a Bachelor of Business (Sports Management). He was also an ICMS Professional Scholarship Program recipient.

Recently, Teli served as the guest speaker at the November 2024 ICMS Graduation ceremonies. He highlighted the importance of industry connections and community investment in building meaningful careers.

His journey into the professional world began with an ICMS Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement at the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Reflecting on this, he said, “The internship was an incredible experience, allowing me to dive into the administration side of sports and explore my passions.”

Staying Connected

Despite the end of his internship leading to no available full-time roles, Teli understood the importance of maintaining connections within the industry.

“I stayed on as a casual, working weekends to maintain that vital connection with the club.”

This dedication paid off when a role opened up in the partnerships team, allowing him to leverage the relationships he had built during his internship.

“Thanks to the relationships that I had built during my internship with ICMS and the Rabbitohs, I secured an interview and I got the job.”

Climbing the Ranks at the Rabbitohs

As Teli climbed the ranks at the Rabbitohs over three and a half years, he acknowledged the supportive environment cultivated by mentors.

“I spent several years at the Rabbitohs working my way up through the partnerships team, surrounded by mentors who felt like family.”

However, he eventually faced a pivotal choice: stay in a comfortable role or embrace the uncertainty of a new challenge. “I chose the latter. I joined Lifeline Australia.”

Transitioning to Charity

The transition from sports to mental health and charity may seem unexpected, but Teli found significant synergies in the two fields.

“Partners were increasingly asking for community-based initiatives that were tied to their CSR goals, so I sought to learn more about foundations and charities.”

At Lifeline, Teli managed partnerships with major brands such as Woolworths and KPMG, gaining invaluable insight into the charity and nonprofit sector.

Lessons Learned

Throughout his experiences, Teli learned important lessons about career paths and personal integrity.

“People often give advice based on their own agendas, and it’s crucial to stay true to your path and prioritise what is best for you and your career.

“Trust your instincts and have the courage to follow your vision.”

Returning to Sports Leadership with the Central Coast Mariners

After more than two years at Lifeline, Teli returned to the sports industry, taking on the role of Head of Commercial Operations at the Central Coast Mariners.

“Every lesson I had learned and every relationship I had built came to this moment, running all aspects of commercial operations for a major sporting team.”

In just six months, Teli’s leadership yielded positive results, including a doubling of sponsorship income and impactful partnerships. This included a collaboration with the New South Wales government on the Reclaim the Game initiative.

He also secured a one-million-dollar grant for the Onside with the Mariners program, which addresses domestic and family violence in local secondary schools.

“Together, these two partnerships alone will impact over 350,000 people in our region.”

Inspiring Future Graduates

Teli’s journey serves as a reminder that success is more than titles or paychecks; it’s about the lasting impact and legacy one creates.

It also illustrates how industry connections and community investment can lead to meaningful careers that contribute to positive change.

Teli advised the ICMS Class of 2024: “As you progress through your careers, remember that success isn’t just about titles or paychecks.

“It’s about the impact you make and the legacy you create. Seek out mentors, share your knowledge, and embrace every opportunity to learn.”

Follow in Aristoteli Taktikos’ footsteps and study a Bachelor of Business (Sports Management) with ICMS.