With international travel stumped for the immediate future, TravelManagers’ national partnership office (NPO) has recognised the importance of preserving a sense of team spirit.

The team has been organising regular gatherings (virtually and in-person) to ensure the wellbeing of its 560-plus personal travel managers (PTMs) and NPO support team.

Last week, it was the NPO team’s turn to take the field – figuratively and literally – with a picnic and sports day at Sydney’s Centennial Park with an informal cricket match.

TravelManagers’ executive general manager, Michael Gazal, was among those who took their turn at the crease. He said the maximum of 20 participants under COVID-19 restrictions meant they had to take an informal approach to teams, but pointed out that some players had clearly brought along their ‘A’ game nonetheless.

“Our marketing manager, Tania Myles, took a great catch, and our national partnership manager, Suzanne Laister, demonstrated a good eye for the ball,” he said.

Play got underway at 10 am with a barbecue breakfast, followed by cricket and finska, and then a picnic lunch, thanks to the efforts of the TravelManagers NPO’s resident social organiser extraordinaire and partnership events executive, Helen Georganas.

With many of the NPO team working remotely as much as possible, Gazal said the fun day out was a welcome opportunity for attendees to reconnect with their work-family.

“We have Zoom coffee catch-ups and Friday afternoon drinks, various virtual gatherings and weekly management briefings, but it was noticeable just how happy people were to be with each other in person,” he said

“Nothing beats great company, being outdoors with a bit of sun, sports and a few snags on the barbie,” added Melissa Randazzo, TravelManagers’ Tramada support specialist.

“It felt great to hit pause for a bit and enjoy the simple, most worthwhile things in life.”