Why does a recruitment company sponsor an aspiring surf professional?
I wanted to share the reasons why Stellar made the decision to sponsor and support an aspiring surf professional and all round good guy Maddy Job. This is the high level…… We support Maddy to reach his surfing aspirations and in return he teaches our team, kids and our clients to learn and appreciate the art of surfing; it’s a great partnership!
Who is Maddy?
Maddy is a 17 year Burleigh local and a passionate surfer who has just finished high school and has a dream supported by goals. His current sponsors include Billabong, Komunity Surf Accessories, MSD Surf boards and Stellar Recruitment.
How we met Maddy
Every year, Stellar enter a great corporate charity surf competition on the Gold Coast that is sponsored by Wyndham resorts. During our 2016 competition, we were short a team member, Maddy was scoring the event that day with Surfing QLD and he offered to get in the water to be our super sub with 5 minutes notice. Upon meeting Maddy it was very obvious that he had this contagiously positive outlook with a real passion for surfing and a real genuineness and focus on the team, not himself (we got lucky!).
The power of a positive attitude
His energy, skill and attitude was the difference in us winning that year (and last year) and his infectious outlook struck us all. After we won the event, I asked Maddy “how far do you want to go in surfing??” to which he replied “I want to be world No. 1”; it wasn’t an arrogant answer, it wasn’t a dreamy answer, he seemed to really believe in the possibility of this happening and he said it in a genuine and humble manner. I quickly became connected with his desire to win; so this coupled with all of his personality attributes made me think there are a lot of synergies with our Stellar Recruitment DNA. Shortly after this initial meeting, I offered for Stellar to help Maddy by making a contribution to his entry fees, logistic costs and offering win bonuses as well as providing access to Stellar’s internal resources that included myself, our CFO and marketing team to guide him review sponsors contracts and driving his social media presence etc. It’s hard not to gravitate towards wanting to help Maddy due to his positive attitude.
Reaching your potential
When we started Stellar, Robbie and I felt passionately about helping people become the best version of themselves. Our philosophy has always been that if we can help our team reach and exceed their potential, then our business can be successful as a byproduct of focusing and assisting our staff grow and develop as individuals. I felt compelled that day on the beach to help Maddy achieve his goal and his reach his highest potential. I have found that on a personal note, that helping people in this regard is massively fulfilling as I’m sure many others have.
Life can be stressful, a surf goes a long way to making it less so!
In business and in life I think it’s easy to get stressed out and many of us struggle to switch off and relax. As part of the partnership with Maddy, we have had a number of “learn to surf” days. Being an avid surfer, I have seen how much fun and frankly how it relaxes me when I’m in the water and that relaxed feeling stays with me long after a surf. It’s fun, exercise and a stress relief all rolled together, so I thought that if we can expose as many people to surfing, even those who may not have surfed before, it has to be a good thing.
Connecting with your kids
In line with the above, we have had a number of kids learn to surf with Maddy and now I personally have my two eldest kids who have the surf bug. I see how “stoked” they get when they catch a wave and for me to share this happy time together is wonderful. It is great seeing them happy and progress; it is not only an opportunity to spend time together but a chance to chat about life as we debrief with a milkshake afterwards and the time in the car to and from the beach. It’s been a great way to connect with my kids and I have had many other friends say the same of the experience.
Corporate social responsibility
Over the past few years, we have raised over $400,000 for charities and as a business this forms part of our strategic and annual business goals. In aiding Maddy with his ambitions, it has also created a positive impact within our team and clients through the “learn to surf” initiatives; it’s a real win- win result in my opinion.
Maddy is a great human being. At 17, I genuinely hope that he can achieve his dream. If his commitment to execute, passion supported by his smile and big heart is anything to go by then I believe that Maddy has every chance to succeed.
For any groups or individuals who are keen to learn to surf on the Gold Coast, please get in touch with me an ’I’d be happy to connect you with Maddy.
