Hello, welcome to The Ultimate Guide to Jobs in Sport! 👋 

Here you’ll find interviews with (almost) every job in the sports industry.
We ask people living the dream:

“How did you get your job?” and “What does it actually involve?”
So that you can land a dream job in sports too.

Enjoy!

#341: Meet the new host of the SportsGrad Podcast!

Meet Nathan Perrone, the new host of The SportsGrad Podcast!

In this episode, we follow Nathan’s journey as he completes the circle of SportsGrad. From joining as the first member in 2020, to working at the AFL and Western United, to coming back as a podcast guest, then a panelist at the Melbourne Meetup in October last year, to now in the hosting chair.

We breakdown how he joined SportsGrad and the importance of networking and connections in the sports industry. We also discuss his current role at TGI Sport as an Account Manager in media and tech.

This is an episode you definitely want to tune in to, especially if you want to help yourself break into the sports industry.

🔥 Quickfire Questions

1. What inspired you to work in sport?
   Many instances growing up whether it being a fan or participating in sport, I just loved everything about it and wanted it to be a career if I couldn’t be a player. Football, Aussie Rules and Cricket were my main passions growing up and supported likes of Collingwood and Liverpool

2. What was your first sports-related role?
   Volunteer Membership Assistant on game days for Collingwood in March 2018, first trimester of uni

3. What did you study after high school?
   Bachelor of Business (Sport Management)

4. What's one interview question you were asked to answer for this role?

   One of the key parts of this job is using ____ platform (Netsuite). What experience do you have with this? How can you show them despite no experience, you’ve got a record of being a fast learner or using similar platforms

5. A book or podcast recommendation that's helped your career?

   SportsPro podcast

6. If you could try another job in sports for a day, what would it be?
   GM Football / Sporting Director

What exactly does your job involve?

Working with rights holders to bring their home venues to life primarily with LED signage. I am the middle person between our clients, our internal staff, contractors and more to ensure seamless delivery of over 300 events in Australia

What are some of the responsibilities of your role?

Account Management with LED playlist and content, Accreditation Management for staff and contractors, Account Management for static signage production, Invoicing and financial support and tender submission writing

What does your career journey look like?

1. Sales and assistant manager at Plus Fitness

2. Mix of volunteer experiences in sport

3. Stakeholder Services Officer at AFL

4. Commercial Partnerships at Western United

What do you think makes it difficult to get a job in the sports industry?

People aren’t willing to go the extra mile to earn the job. Like an athlete, you can’t sit around waiting for a contract or a full time job, you’ve got to work harder than so many others to get the prize you seek. Have to make sacrifices and go the extra mile, a degree or completing a course guarantees nothing.

How did you decide what career direction to take?

Did my research in Year 10/11 and found sport management degrees and at that point I was all in on the atar to get into Deakin Uni and see where it took me. Going to India and Chicago in 2019 through uni transformed my career and highlighted to me that it’s where I want to be long term.

Can you recall a sliding-doors moment where a connection changed the trajectory of your career?

There’s so many in this story but ultimately it’s meeting Andrew Pirchan and interviewing him on the sports bubble podcast in early 2021. Played a pivotal role in helping me land at Western United and being a mentor for me.

When you landed your job, what do you think made you stand out?

Diversified experiences, relationships with staff/suppliers at company I was moving to, potential (showing potential that they can capitalise on and keep you longer term).

What advice would you give to your younger-self to help them take action?

Say yes to any added opportunities you have available and seek out more opportunities too. Get uncomfortable and connect with people to show your true self, eagerness to learn and capacity to be an elite operator.

What’s your #1 ‘pinch me’ moment working in sport?

Being on the pitch at the final whistle when Western United lifted the trophy in 2022 as a staff member of the club.

What do you think your life would look like if you hadn't pursued a career in sport?

I love my health, fitness and wellbeing so probably working somewhere in those fields.

Others you might like to learn from:

#340: The SportsGrad Story with Reuben Williams

#181: Nathan Perrone (Western United FC) - The blueprint trajectory into sport

#81: Nathan Perrone (AFL) - How to transform your career prospects within 6 months as a student