Intern makes a splash on Singapore sports internship
Intern Connor Guillemott reflects on his three months in Singapore on the Foundation’s Singapore Sports Internship, where he supported the delivery of the World Aquatics Championships 2025, immersed himself in local culture, and grew both personally and professionally.
Connor: "Being part of the World Aquatics Championships allowed me to grow professionally, take ownership of meaningful responsibilities, and work alongside inspiring people from around the world."
I applied for the Foundation’s Sports Singapore internship because I wanted to get some real-world experience in a completely different environment and push myself a bit. Singapore really stood out because it’s such an international, fast-moving city, and I thought it would be a great chance to meet people from all over the world and see how things work in a completely new setting.
It was my first time in Singapore, and I loved it. Everything felt really clean, efficient, and modern, but at the same time there’s this amazing mix of cultures reflected in the food, the streets, and even just the way people go about their day. It felt exciting and totally different from anywhere I’ve been before.
I stayed in Kallang, which was a really handy spot. It’s central and easy to get around, with good local food nearby and a nice mix of quiet streets and busier areas. One of my favourite things was going for runs from Kallang into the city. I'd follow the river, past Marina Bay, taking in the impressive city skyline as I ran.
Every day felt like an adventure, from trying new food to figuring out the city, to learning how things work at work.
Connor
Based on Sentosa Island, I worked with venue teams, technical officials, and World Aquatics representatives to make sure athletes, equipment, and schedules flowed smoothly. From early mornings on the safety boat to late evenings checking logistics, no two days looked the same.
The internship kicked off with a whirlwind of briefings, venue walks, and planning meetings. From day one, I was entrusted with full responsibility for the Open Water Swimming course setup. Every buoy, safety boat, and course marker were under my oversight, ensuring that the competition was both safe and ready for athletes. It was a huge responsibility, but it gave me a real sense of ownership and pushed me to think quickly, plan ahead, and coordinate effectively with technical officials and World Aquatics representatives.
Connor and a fellow intern at the World Aquatics Championships 2025
Taking ownership of the course setup taught me invaluable skills: problem-solving under pressure, adaptability, leadership, and attention to detail. From troubleshooting last-minute buoy issues to making real-time adjustments on finishing funnels, I learned what it takes to keep everything running seamlessly. Watching athletes compete, knowing that I had played a central role in making the event possible, was incredibly rewarding.
Alongside this, I supported broader venue operations, helping manage athlete flow, equipment movement, scheduling, and stakeholder access. Being directly responsible for such a critical component of the Championships showed me just how much work goes on behind the scenes to deliver a world-class sporting event.
Being part of such a dynamic, international environment also highlighted the importance of teamwork and communication. Collaborating with volunteers, technical officials, and sport management teams from around the world gave me a deeper understanding of how multicultural, high-level events operate.
Connor and fellow Singapore sports intern `Ana-Rachel Salote Fu'i Enari
Socially, it was really fun. I got to know some of the other interns, and we’d often go out for dinner or just hang out after work. One night we went to a hawker centre and just grabbed a bunch of different dishes: chicken rice, laksa, satay and spent hours chatting and trying new food. Another evening, we went to Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay, which was amazing to see in person. Every day felt like an adventure, from trying new food to figuring out the city to learning how things work at work. It really pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me make the most of every day.
Chinatown and Little India were full of life, with markets, temples, and street food everywhere. My favourite was visiting the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple in Little India. It was so colourful and buzzing with energy, and it really gave me a sense of just how diverse Singapore is.
Getting out and about with fellow interns and exploring the city was a highlight of Connor's time in Singapore
This internship reinforced my passion for international sport and event management. It gave me hands-on insight into the intricacies of major competitions and strengthened skills I know will be invaluable in my career. Being trusted with full responsibility for the Open Water course setup was a highlight that I’ll always carry forward.
Being part of the World Aquatics Championships allowed me to grow professionally, take ownership of meaningful responsibilities, and work alongside inspiring people from around the world. I am truly grateful for the support of the Foundation and Sport Singapore for making this experience possible and for enabling interns like me to engage with international sport at such a high level.
The Foundation's Sports Programme provides New Zealand sportspeople opportunities to grow more knowledgeable, connected and confident with Asia.
