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As an assistant referee at Roland Garros, Manon Baguet shares her experience within the sports industry and what her role entails. She also explains how roles in sports events are evolving, discusses key skills and how to overcome potential challenges and succeed in your career.
I started working at the French Tennis Federation for the Roland-Garros 2021 tournament. I applied to the LA GRIFFE department which manages all the official Roland-Garros merchandise stores in and out stadia. I had applied as a salesperson, but following a withdrawal, the people in charge of recruitment offered me the position of point of sale manager. This position allowed me to have more responsibilities within the tournament and to manage a team throughout the duration of it. Following this very enriching experience both professionally and personally, I approached this department to find out about the possibilities for an end-of-studies internship.
I think I did a rigorous job during my temporary experience in 2021, which allowed me to get closer to my goal of doing a 6-month internship within the French Tennis Federation itself. During this experience, I carried out missions as an event manager within La Griffe Roland-Garros for the 2022 edition. Various and varied missions, management of allocations for 500 temporary workers, team management as well as monitoring customer service during and after the tournament.
Following this internship, I had my first professional experience outside the FFT before returning to this federation at the beginning of March. A fixed-term contract mission which aims to manage all the needs of the referees at the Roland-Garros 2023 tournament.
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"I am also in contact with various FFT departments in order to bring together all the referees' needs in their spaces during the tournament. A very varied mission which allows me to be autonomous while being supported."
I started working at the French Tennis Federation for the Roland-Garros 2021 tournament. I applied to the LA GRIFFE department, which manages all the official Roland-Garros merchandise stores in and out stadia. I had applied as a salesperson, but following a withdrawal, the people in charge of recruitment offered me the position of point of sale manager. This position allowed me to have more responsibilities within the tournament and to manage a team throughout the duration of it. Following this very enriching experience, both professionally and personally, I approached this department to find out about the possibilities for an end-of-studies internship.
The night sessions are indeed a real novelty for Roland-Garros and without being mistaken I believe that other Grand Slam tournaments have been inspired by this format. It has certainly allowed to attract more spectators but also to allow some people to come at the end of the day after work. I do not have any information on the subject but Roland-Garros could potentially accompany these night parties with artists who can come at the beginning of matches to entertain and keep the public waiting.
"There are many departments involved, they all have their expertise but they are linked to each other. During an event you have to think of everything and that's where different departments come in."
Indeed, since I joined my school where I graduated, events have always been the field that has attracted me the most. The reason is that these sporting events are the culmination of months of work.
“More and more positions will be dedicated to digital and new technologies.”
Events is such a vast field, I'm not sure I can name all the roles but many departments are involved, they all have their expertise but they are linked to each other. During an event you have to think of everything and that's where different departments come in. This can be logistics, event security, signage, media (broadcasting, social networks, etc.), partnerships, merchandise, ticketing, participant relations, communication (internal & external), sports equipment, hospitality, catering and many others...
I think that today with the new generations and new technologies, more and more new experiences will be implemented. We are already talking about NFTs, artificial intelligence and E-sport. More and more positions will be dedicated to digital and new technologies.
It is interesting to see the results of these developments and to ensure that sporting practice is not neglected despite technological and commercial advances.
Today, there are many opportunities set up by the FFT to allow as many people as possible to attend these international events. Many tickets are on sale at affordable prices to open this event to everyone. A variety of services and benefits are set up thanks to the work of all the FFT departments and the partners of the Roland-Garros tournament.
"There is nothing better than participating in sporting events through volunteer or temporary work (in your sports club or local/international events). In my case, it allowed me to experience different roles and levels of responsibility."
The best advice I can give is to start as soon as possible to get a foot in the door of this industry. In my case, I think I started a little late. The best way to be part of the world of sport is to be able to gain experience and expand your network. For this, there is nothing better than participating in sporting events through volunteer or temporary missions (in your sports club or local/international events). In my case, this allowed me to experience different roles and degrees of responsibility. In France, we are lucky to have many sporting events. These experiences really allow you to develop skills and create opportunities.
Paris 2024 has just launched its volunteer recruitment program for this incredible event, so don't hesitate for a moment and try your luck. In addition to that, the Roland-Garros stadium is part of the Olympic and Paralympic stadiums. 
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