The SportsGrad Podcast

Meet Adrian Cordi, a Game Development Officer for the AFL in NSW. If you are looking for a way to break into the sports industry, this job is one of the best positions going around to help you get a foot in.Game dev roles exist in all the major sporting bodies and receive the most funding because your job is to get more people playing the sport.Adrian details exactly how he landed this job, what he did to be successful in his group interview, and what’s involved. Grab a pen, because this might just be your big break.We cover:(8:35) - Introduction to Adrian's journey(12:10) - From teaching in Japan to joining the AFL(16:25) - Game Development Officer role explained(20:15) - Grassroots initiatives & fan growth(24:00) - Promoting AFL through school programs(27:45) - Engaging kids and building AFL passion(31:30) - Group interviews and practical sessions(35:10) - Testing teaching and leadership skills(38:25) - Advice for breaking into sports roles(41:00) - Networking and mentorship importanceIf you like this ep, give these a go next:#288: Champion Data, Competitions Coordinator | Ash Newton-Spence#262: Football Australia, World Cup Legacy Manager | Francesca Teh#211: AFL, Commercial Partnerships Coordinator | Brant Hubber*-Follow SportsGrad on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok-Follow Reuben Williams on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok-Subscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter for job and networking opportunities-Become a SportsGrad Member to shortcut your next job in sportBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible.Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Allison Robison, the Executive General Manager of People and Culture at Cricket Australia. Allison leads recruitment and culture for one of the nation's most iconic sports organisations, helping build teams that bring cricket to life. Her insights into hiring practices, including strategies for acing interviews and crafting standout applications, are invaluable.With a background in senior roles at National Australia Bank and board positions at Swimming Australia and Athletics Victoria, Allison has a wealth of experience in people management and recruitment strategies. She has also been a driving force in promoting the importance of relationships and networking in career success.If you're a young job hunter seeking to break into the competitive sports industry without the anxiety of endless rejections, Allison’s advice will help you approach the job hunt with confidence. Learn about avoiding job-hunting mistakes, crafting compelling applications, and networking your way to opportunities in sport.We cover:(8:27) - Introduction to Alison Robison and her role(11:45) - Key strategies for standing out in job applications(14:30) - Understanding the recruitment process at Cricket Australia(18:00) - Networking: The cornerstone of career success(21:10) - Building relationships within the sports industry(25:00) - Role of AI in recruitment and its implications(28:45) - How to tailor resumes to job descriptions effectively(32:15) - Tips for succeeding in behavioural interviews(36:00) - Importance of showcasing personality and passion(39:10) - Final advice for navigating job applicationsIf you like this ep, give these a go next:#1: Ex-ICC T20 World Cup 2020, HR Manager | Ally Dirkis#110: Ex-Golf Australia, People & Culture Manager | Daniel Simons#128: Netball Australia, GM People & Culture | Kimberlee Furness#155: Australian Sports Commission, HR Business Partner | Adam Kyle*-Follow SportsGrad on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok -Follow Reuben Williams on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok -Subscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter for job and networking opportunities -Become a SportsGrad Member to shortcut your next job in sportBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Sam Waring, a Strategy Consultant at Gemba. Sam assists brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Netflix with with their sponsorship strategy across sports and entertainment.Before he was mixing in the big leagues, Sam started his journey as a Marketing Intern with the NZ Breakers before making his way to Australia. After getting rejected for his current role once, Sam stepped away and addressed his skill gaps, only to return and land his dream job.Sam’s story is packed with advice on overcoming rejections, staying persistent, and building your skillset. If you’re eager to understand the behind-the-scenes of a career in sports marketing and strategy, you’re going to love this episode with Sam.We cover:(6:57) - Introduction to Sam's career and journey(11:23) - Breaking into the sports industry and early experiences(16:45) - Challenges of landing jobs in competitive sports roles(21:30) - Importance of sponsorships in sports marketing(27:15) - Developing strategies for brand partnerships(33:00) - Insights into working with high-profile clients like Coca-Cola(38:20) - Bridging creative and commercial strategies(43:50) - How agency work differs from in-house roles(48:30) - Examples of successful sports campaigns(54:00) - Advice on networking and career growth in sports*If you like this ep, give these a go next:#175: Gemba, Senior Strategy Consultant | Oliver Gilbert#287: MKTG Sports + Entertainment, Sponsorship Manager | Jeffery Leong#99: Octagon UK, Managing Director | Joel Seymour-Hyde#236: Sports Marketing Consultant | Danny Bowerin*-Follow SportsGrad on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok -Follow Reuben Williams on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok -Subscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter for job and networking opportunities -Become a SportsGrad Member to shortcut your next job in sportBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Stella Barry, a Social Media Producer for both the Australian Open and the Paris 2024 Olympics. Stella’s work involves creating engaging social media content, where at the Paris 2024 Olympics, she managed influencer partnerships and creatively leveraged trends to engage younger audiences.With previous experience working at IMG Academy and Nebraska University, Stella’s social media expertise was honed through hands-on roles where she developed content and learned video production, storytelling, and athlete engagement. Her experiences, including working with major global sporting events, provided her with unique insights into the world of digital content in sports.If you're struggling to break into the sports industry, Stella’s journey offers valuable advice on the power of networking, resilience in the face of rejection, and the importance of gaining diverse experiences. Discover how Stella overcame rejection and used her background in tennis to build a successful career in social media. This interview is perfect for anyone looking to avoid the frustrations of job rejections and gain insights on how to succeed in sports media.We cover:(08:34) - Introduction to Stella Barry and her background(14:02) - Stella’s journey to working with Paris 2024(20:14) - Challenges of moving to Paris and working in sports media(27:35) - Insights from working with global sports teams and organisations(34:46) - Dealing with language barriers in international roles(41:12) - Strategic approaches in content creation for major sports events(48:19) - Stella’s experience working as a TikTok host(55:43) - Managing partnerships and collaborations(01:01:29) - Highlights from interacting with athletes at the Olympics(01:08:10) - Future goals and the impact of Olympic experienceIf you like this ep, give these a go next:#170: Cricket Australia, Social Media Producer | Emily Collin#197: Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Social Media Producer | Sophie Ries#286: GWS Giants, Head of Content | Jacob Gaynor-Follow SportsGrad on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok-Follow Reuben Williams on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok-Subscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter for job and networking opportunities-Become a SportsGrad Member to shortcut your next job in sportBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Angus Yeates, a Management Graduate at Adidas based in Melbourne. Angus’ traineeship has introduced him to multiple parts of Adidas' operations, including category planning, e-commerce, and digital wholesale, where he manages the brand’s presence on Amazon. His role involves optimising product placements, managing retailer partnerships, and driving Adidas’ digital growth in the region. With a career spanning various roles, from umpiring in hockey to working with high-profile sports brands, Angus has built an impressive resume.If you're a young job hunter interested in working with top global brands in the sports industry, Angus' journey offers invaluable lessons.We cover:06:12 - Early career in golf and community connections06:42 - Strategies for overcoming adversity07:12 - Value of curiosity in sports careers08:16 - Graduate journey and future goals08:48 - Importance of LinkedIn for networking09:18 - Realities of working in an international brand10:57 - Challenges and rewards in the golf industry15:05 - Reflections on overcoming burnout18:40 - Transition back to Australia and career recalibration21:16 - Leveraging LinkedIn for international connections25:55 - Networking strategies and job application tips32:40 - Skills valuable in the Adidas graduate program35:59 - Importance of community and local relevance for brands41:25 - Finding career alignment and networking benefits54:00 - Experiences with Adidas and sports career tips*If you like this ep, give these a go next:#181: Western United FC Commercial Partnerships Coordinator, Nathan Perrone#211: AFL Partnerships Coordinator, Brant Hubber#231: Golf Australia Commercial Partnerships Coordinator, Clayton Henderson*-Follow SportsGrad on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok-Follow Reuben Williams on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok-Subscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter for job and networking opportunities-Become a SportsGrad Member to shortcut your next job in sportBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello & welcome to episode #300!!!We made it fam. And to celebrate, I've packed it all in.Not gonna lie, it does pitch the SportsGrad platform to you pretty well.But if I didn't think it could get you hired 10x faster, I wouldn't waste your time.Hope you enjoy!We cover:How to find your niche in the sports industryHow to grow your network rapidlyHow to stand out in a crowd of 1000sAdditional episodes you may enjoy:#265: Adelaide Crows FC, Community Engagement Manager#181: Western United FC, Commercial Partnerships Coordinator---Want a weekly dose of career inspo? Get industry stories, upcoming events, and the latest sports jobs in your inbox each Friday.👉 Subscribe to the SportsGrad NewsletterThe SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities. Join as a Rookie or Pro Member.👉 Become a SportsGrad MemberFollow us on Instagram and TikTok!This episode is brought to you by Deakin University, the Official Education Partner of The SportsGrad Podcast. Find out why their Master of Business in Sport Management is not one of, but the best one in Australia ranked at #1 at www.deakin.edu.auThanks for listening! You’re all legends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Jeff Dickinson-Fox, the Digital Engagement Manager at the Australian Olympic Committee. Jeff has been working with the AOC in the years leading up to Paris 2024 and recently returned from 16 days of jam-packed days sharing the stories and successes of Australia’s athletes. Lots to look out for in this podcast including how Jeff directed his degree in Journalism towards Digital Media, what it means to be a Digital all-rounder and why it’s so valuable in 2024, creating your own experience to stand out in applications and much more. Additional episodes you may enjoy:#52: How the Brisbane Heat grew a massive following, Nic Laube#170: How to be a social media producer at Cricket Australia with Emily Collin*Want a weekly dose of career inspo? Get industry stories, upcoming events, and the latest sports jobs in your inbox each Friday.👉 Subscribe to the SportsGrad NewsletterThe SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities.👉 Become a SportsGrad MemberWant our recruitment insights? Hiring Managers, get the SportsGrad Talent newsletter👉 Subscribe to SportsGrad TalentFollow us on Instagram and TikTok!*This episode is brought to you by Deakin University, the Official Education Partner of The SportsGrad Podcast. Find out why their Master of Business in Sport Management is not one of, but the best one in Australia ranked at #1 at www.deakin.edu.auThanks for listening! You’re all legends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has Paris got you dreaming of working at a future Olympic & Paralympic Games? Well if Brisbane 2032 is on your radar, Nat Cook (5x Olympian and Sydney 2000 Gold Medalist) is here to inspire you to do just that. Nat is on the Board of the Brisbane 2032 Committee, and back in 2021 she came on to share all of Brisbane’s plans for the Ganes, plus her keys to success as an Gold Medallist. I’m bringing that ep back to the forefront today because there’s so much Gold in this ep (literally gold medals appear).For a look inside the initial plans of the Brisbane Organising Committee, and how you can prepare like an Olympian to realise your career dreams, tune into this treasure trove with Nat Cook!We cover:•How to plan to host an Olympic & Paralympic Games 10 years out•What makes Natalie Cook great•3 critical moments that shaped her today•The unique power of sport and Olympians•The importance of learning people’s names•Why resilience is the most vital part of any job•The importance of building you and having a dreamAdditional episodes you may enjoy:#273: Journey from Paralympian to Disability Sport Australia Manager with Elle Steele#16: How to become a Sports Lawyer for the Olympic Games with Garth Towan*Want a weekly dose of career inspo? Get industry stories, upcoming events, and the latest sports jobs in your inbox each Friday.👉 Subscribe to the SportsGrad NewsletterThe SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities. Join as a Rookie or Pro Member.👉 Become a SportsGrad MemberFollow us on Instagram and TikTok!*This episode is brought to you by Deakin University, the Official Education Partner of The SportsGrad Podcast. Find out why their Master of Business in Sport Management is not one of, but the best one in Australia ranked at #1 at www.deakin.edu.auThanks for listening! You’re all legends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello friends! I spent 17 days at the Paris Olympics, today I summarise it for you in an hour.In this ep I share the 3 key things that shaped my experience, how I aimed to squeeze every bit out of it, plus all the stories from bts.We hit everything from the impact of the host nation, to the vibe around town, to what it was like running the Olympic Marathon course without training (may have done some permanent damage).If you're thinking of attending a major event in the future, tune in to get my pov on what it's actually like, and how Paris stacks up against other international events.*Additional episodes you may enjoy:#248: SportsGrad in Europe | Le Tour de France, IOC, UEFA and more#245: SportsGrad in London - What Reuben's been up to in the UK#226: What it's like to be at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar#225: T20 World Cup tournament time jobs with Jack Lloyd & Harrison Orchard*Want a weekly dose of career inspo? Get industry stories, upcoming events, and the latest sports jobs in your inbox each Friday.👉 Subscribe to the SportsGrad NewsletterThe SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities. Join as a Rookie or Pro Member.👉 Become a SportsGrad MemberFollow us on Instagram and TikTok!*This episode is brought to you by Deakin University, the Official Education Partner of The SportsGrad Podcast. Find out why their Master of Business in Sport Management is not one of, but the best one in Australia ranked at #1 at www.deakin.edu.auThanks for listening! You’re all legends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Tom Wilkins, the Head of Research at City Football Group for Manchester City FC. City Football Group are one of the biggest sporting bodies in the world, who own and operate Manchester City FC, Melbourne City FC, New York City FC, Mumbai City FC and 9 other clubs across 5 continents. Tom’s role as Head of Research involves helping the club understand fans to make better decisions across Fan Engagement, Strategy, Marketing and many more. Basically if a department has a research question they need solved, they turn to Tom and his team. In this podcast we cover why this role exists internally, key projects Tom has been involved in, asking good questions, setting research briefs, being a strong moderator and remaining objective. We also dive into Tom’s career journey and how this Man City fan landed in his dream job.We cover:(06:30) Welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast Tom!(07:51) Quick-fire questions(15:26) What does the ‘Head of Research’ at City Football Group do, and what does a day in the life look like?(17:20) Why does this role exist?(18:01) What are some of the key projects that Tom has been part of?(21:05) How to ask good questions when conducting research interviews, to ensure that you receive the more relevant and in-depth results(25:45) How do they create project briefs? (30:18) How does Tom remain objective when conducting new research? (34:10) What sort of learnings do you get out of Moderator Training?(36:53) How does Tom learn from other industries and sports?(40:27) How does Tom’s career transpire to make it to Manchester City?(44:50) Does Tom act proactively in his career growth or has it happened naturally?(46:32) What does Tom enjoy most about working at City Football Group?*Additional episodes you may enjoy:#85: NBA Vice President of Product Experience, Jay Lee (Part 1)#87: NBA Vice President of Product Experience, Jay Lee (Part 2)*Want a weekly dose of career inspo? Get industry stories, upcoming events, and the latest sports jobs in your inbox each Friday.👉 Subscribe to the SportsGrad NewsletterThe SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities. Join as a Rookie or Pro Member.👉 Become a SportsGrad MemberFollow us on Instagram and TikTok!*This episode is brought to you by Deakin University, the Official Education Partner of The SportsGrad Podcast. Find out why their Master of Business in Sport Management is not one of, but the best one in Australia ranked at #1 at www.deakin.edu.auThanks for listening! You’re all legends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.