Hello friends! 👋

Welcome to the SportsGrad Newsletter. Each week we take a deep dive into how people are growing their careers in sport.

Here you’ll find insights, tactics and tools to help you win jobs, get promoted, work around the world, make an impact, and still get paid fairly in sport.

Plus the latest on what’s happening in the SportsGrad Community - a private group of legends lifting each other toward the careers of their dreams.

Today we’re deep diving into sports jobs that are on the field of play!

We’ve put together a list of 8 epic professionals working in roles that are up close and personal to the action, who we reckon you could learn a lot from. Each professional has been on the podcast, where you can learn even more about their career journey.

Some guests talk about their experience on the field with the athletes, some manage the teams directly, some work in high performance, some work as journalists and more!

The list covers a variety of roles, all who pursued different career paths to get to where they are now. Each professional comes from a completely different organisation, however what they share in common is that they are ELITE.

If your dream job in sport involves getting close to the ground, court, field, or water, check it out.

Enjoy!

Episode #285: Journey to Team Manager of a Super Netball Club with Leigh Southern

Meet Leigh Southern, the Team Manager of the newest professional team in Melbourne, the Melbourne Mavericks Super Netball Club.

If you’re looking to work in operations in sport, team management, or want to know how people have made career changes into sport, you’re going to love Leigh’s story.

Leigh started his career in the tourism industry, but after a while realised it just wasn’t for him. Not one to sit back, he did his research and came across a company called Stage & Screen, and began working on their Cricket Australia account to look after all their travel. This led to roles with the Melbourne Renegades and the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup, before landing at the Mavs.

If you think you’d love to travel week in and week out with a professional team, listen to how Leigh made it his career. 

#284: Journey to Football Operations Manager with Steph Maiolo

Meet Steph Maiolo, the Football Operations Manager at the Sydney Swans Football Club.

Over the past 6 years, she’s climbed her way up the ladder at the Swans, starting as an intern, to a coordinator, to now a manager!

Make sure to have a listen to learn how to work in football operations and the skills you need to do so.

#275: Running match days at the Richmond Football Club with Shayla Clarke

Meet Shayla Clarke, Audience Growth & Engagement Coordinator at the Richmond Football Club.

Shayla started her career with the Tigers, and over 6 years tasted premiership success, as well as growth in multiple roles.

Lots to look out for including how to progress and be promoted at work, what it’s like working at the MCG on match days for close to 100,000 fans, and how to engage the huge fan base of the Richmond footy club.

Listen to this podcast if you’re keen to work amongst the buzz at the AFL!

#271: From Legal Aid to Rio Olympics and SailGP in Media Operations with Barbara Sikorski

Meet Barbara Sikorski, the Global Head of Media Operations at SailGP.

Barbara is far from a stranger to international events. Previous to SailGP, she has worked at the likes of the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the International Paralympic Committee.

She is now on the epic team at SailGP, where she manages everything to do with the media operations for the global event.

Check out this episode to learn what it’s like working at major events all over the world, lessons she has learned from her experiences at the Olympics, and advice on how to work in Media Operations like her.

#270: From international student to on the field with the Australian Cricket team with Ankita Karungalekar

Meet Ankita Karungalekar, Sports Presenter for the Mumabi Indians, Cricket Australia, and KOJO.

Reuben met Ankita on a whim at the end of 2022, where she told him that being a Cricket Presenter was her 2 year goal. Inspired by Rana Hussain presenting at the T20 World Cup in Adelaide, she thought to herself, “why couldn’t I do this too?”.

Less than a year later, she found herself standing on the same oval, doing the same thing as her inspiration and now mentor.

She is also killing it in the social media space, using her personal brand to promote her sports presenting and grow her career.

If you’re ready to land your dream job, learn how to work overseas, and find out what a day in the life looks like when working at the IPL and Cricket Australia, listen to this podcast episode!

#263: Journey to become a Sports Journalist with Sarah Burt

Meet Sarah Burt, freelance sports journalist, commentator, MC and presenter!

Recently, Sarah has moved on from Channel 7 to pursue working for herself, has stepped up to host 3AW’s AFLW broadcast, and also has past experience in media roles at the AFL, The Age Newspaper, Fox Sports, ESPN, and the Hawthorn FC - she has a plethora of experience, and jumps on the pod today to share it with us.

She covers all things freelancing, such as what a day in her life looks like, how to navigate the pathway into working for yourself, and how to source jobs. Additionally, she chats about the skills needed to be a journalist, her tips on how to deal with networking (and the nerves that can come with it), and how she prepares for game-days and interviews.

This is a great episode if you’re curious on how the sports media industry operates, or you’re wanting to get a taste on the route to freelance work - make sure you tune in!

#232: How to be the AFL Chief Photographer with Michael Wilson

Meet Michael Willson, Chief Photographer at the AFL.

Chances are you’re already familiar with his work, Michael’s captured some of THE most iconic AFL photos in the last 16 years - Think the Taylor Harris kick, Lance Franklin’s 1000th goal, and more.

In this pod we cover how Michael got his start via grassroots football, what he packs into his kit bag each game, and how he captures the big moments for millions to enjoy.

If you’d love to be a sports photographer or want to know the stories behind the photos, do yourself a favour and listen to Michael Willson's career on the SportsGrad Podcast.

#163: Life of an AFL Strength and Conditioning Coach with Steve Moore

Meet Steve Moore, Strength and Conditioning Coach at Carlton Football Club.

Coaching AFL players to be fitter and stronger sounds like the hottest job in sport right? You’re in a high-performance environment, the best players in the comp are under your watchful eye, feedback is fast and direct, and everyone is there to get the most out of each other!

If you’re dreaming of the ultimate job in strength & conditioning, Steve Moore from Carlton FC gives the rundown on exactly what it’s like.

Make sure to tune in to learn what it’s like working in the AFL, how he deals with the stress of high performance and tips for grads wanting to crack the industry!

Steve is now the Head of High Performance for Carlton AFLW!

What’s happening in the Community?

Community Wins ⭐️

Here’s what SportsGrad Members got up to last week...

Ari Davis accepted a role with Social Sport as a Competitions Manager

Jainarayan Tiwari is joining the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) as in intern

SportsGrad Members have landed over 630+ jobs in sport.

If you've had a win, share it with us in the #wins channel on Discord!

Upcoming Member Events 💛

Members, to join an event, RSVP via Discord.

Pro Member Events:

🤝 Pro Speed Networking - July 1st 7pm AEST

🎙️ Presenting Masterclass with Ankita Karungalekar - July 10th 12:30pm AEST

Do you work in sport? Apply to become a SportsGrad Pro Member

Rookie Member Events:

🤝 Rookie Speed Networking - July 8th 7pm AEST

🎙️ Presenting Masterclass with Ankita Karungalekar - July 10th 12:30pm AEST

🏟️ Career Q&A with Lyndall MacInnes (Australian Olympic Committee) - July 16th 7pm AEST

Do you want to work in sport? Join the list to become a SportsGrad Rookie Member

Job Opportunities 💼

Looking for a new gig? Here’s a few organisations who want to hire SportsGrad Members (see which org in Discord!):

🤝 Front of House/Production Assistant - Adelaide (Full-time)

🏏 Club Development Officer x2 - Sydney (Full-time)

💰 Account Executive - Melbourne (Full-time)

🏟️ Event Workforce Coordinator - Melbourne (Full-time)

🏏 Blast Specialist - Coffs Harbour (Full-time)

🥇 Digital Media Executive - Sydney (Full-time)

🏉 Participation & Fan Acquisition Officer - Sydney (Casual)

Need help hiring sports industry talent? Reach out via our website.

Thanks for reading!

Catch you soon,

Acacia 💛

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