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We ask people living the dream:
“How did you get your job?” and “What does it actually involve?”
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"Working in sports is about creating joy and connection, whether it's for 40,000 fans or a local community clinic." - Dante McDonald

Meet Dante McDonald, the Operations and Game Day Coordinator at the Adelaide Lightning.

Dante is responsible for ensuring seamless execution of operations and electrifying game days for fans and teams alike. His role spans logistics, stakeholder management, and coordinating activations, all with a lean team of just four staff members.

Before joining the Lightning, Dante gained experience refereeing basketball, volunteering at community events, and working with the Adelaide Crows in various capacities. He brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge in operational planning, game-day execution, and fostering community engagement.

In this blog, you’ll discover how Dante’s unique career path, from a law school dropout to a sports industry professional, can inspire you to carve your own niche in the sports world. Learn how to navigate challenges in small organisations, leverage networking effectively, and embrace every opportunity to grow—without feeling overwhelmed.

🔥 Quickfire Questions

1. What inspired you to work in sport?
   I’ve always loved sport. Growing up, I played footy and basketball, even creating backyard cricket matches and tracking scores on Excel! The joy and connection sport brings to people made me realise I wanted to be part of this world.
   

2. What was your first ever sports-related role?
   Refereeing basketball games at my local club when I was 12.
   

3. What extra study did you do after high school?
   I started studying law and politics but pivoted to a Sports Management degree at UniSA after realising my passion lay in sports.
   

4. What’s one interview question you were asked?
   I didn’t formally interview for my role, but a key question was: "Why do you want to work in sport?"
   

5. A book or podcast recommendation that helped your career?
   The Sports Geek Podcast and Shoe Dog by Phil Knight.
   

6. If you could try another job in sport for a day, what would it be?
   Working in player agency or as part of a Players Association at a high level.

🔥 Quickfire Journey

1. Falling in love with sport: Dante’s passion for sport began with footy (Australian Rules Football) and basketball. His childhood was filled with creative moments, like playing backyard cricket and tracking scores on Excel.

2. First steps in sports: At 12, Dante became a basketball referee at his local club, learning the basics of working in a sports environment.

3. Pivoting from law to sports management: After starting a law degree, Dante realised his true calling and shifted to a Sports Management degree at UniSA.

4. Gaining experience through volunteering: Dante contributed to community programs with the Adelaide Crows, further honing his skills in event coordination and stakeholder management.

5. Landing a Role at Adelaide Lightning: Now the Operations and Game Day Coordinator for the Adelaide Lightning, Dante oversees logistics, game-day operations, and stakeholder relationships, all within a small but dedicated team.

💬 Quotes from Dante

"Sport has always been the thread connecting my life, whether playing cricket solo as a kid or working in the industry today."

"Networking isn’t about what you can get—it’s about genuinely building relationships and learning from others."

"I realised early on that behind every game, there’s a team of people ensuring everything runs smoothly. That’s when I knew I wanted to work in sport."

"Being part of a small team means wearing many hats, but it’s the best way to learn and grow across multiple areas."

"Sport connects people in ways nothing else can, and being part of creating those moments is what drives me."

"The key to breaking into sports is persistence—try new things, make mistakes, and learn along the way."

"Game days are chaos in the best way possible, and staying calm when things go wrong is the most important skill I’ve developed."

"Working in sports is about creating joy and connection, whether it's for 40,000 fans or a local community clinic."

"I started with small volunteer roles in my local basketball club. Those early opportunities taught me the fundamentals of working in the industry."

"Every coffee chat and conversation is an opportunity to learn, grow, and expand your network."

Career Journey: How did Dante get here?

From Law to Sports Management:

Dante’s love for sport began early, with football and basketball being constants in his life. Initially planning to become a lawyer, he quickly realised that wasn’t his path. After seeing an advertisement for a sports management degree, he pivoted and found his true calling in the sports industry going on to study a sport management degree at UniSA.

Early Sports Involvement:

Dante started refereeing basketball games for his local basketball club at the age of 12, which gave him early exposure to the operational side of working in sport. This experience taught him discipline, communication, and problem-solving—skills that have helped him along his journey and he continues to use today.

Volunteering and Networking:

Dante’s volunteer work with the Adelaide Crows was transformative. From running community clinics to assisting in game-day operations, he made connections that directly led to him landing his current role at Adelaide Lightning.

Current Role at Adelaide Lightning:

Dante now manages game-day logistics, coordinates travel, oversees game-day staff, and handles various operational responsibilities. Working in a small team has allowed him to wear multiple hats and develop skills across different areas of the organisation.

Role Overview: What does Operations and Game Day Coordinator actually involve?

Dante’s role at Adelaide Lightning is all about managing the behind-the-scenes work that makes game day seamless. From travel logistics to team apparel, his responsibilities include overseeing every aspect of operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Travel Coordination: Dante ensures the team’s away trips run smoothly. This includes booking flights, arranging accommodation, and organising transportation—like ensuring cars are ready for the team upon arrival at venues.

Game-Day Management: On game days, Dante coordinates a wide range of activities, including recruiting and supervising staff including MCs, AV managers, and volunteers. He also works with the league, sponsors, and the arena to execute activations, like a recent road safety initiative with government partners.

Team Support: Whether it’s ensuring players have the right apparel for training or prepping game kits, Dante makes sure the team is equipped to perform at their best.

Problem Solving Under Pressure: From unexpected broadcast feed issues to security delays, Dante remains calm and prioritises solutions. For example, resolving four issues at once before doors opened at a game was all in a day’s work.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Dante collaborates with league representatives, sponsors, and arena staff to meet obligations and deliver top-notch experiences. He bridges gaps between partners and the club, ensuring that sponsors’ activations—like branding and audience engagement—are flawlessly executed.

Lean Team Dynamics: Working in a small organisation means Dante wears many hats. In addition to his core responsibilities, he steps in wherever needed to support the team, embodying the "all hands on deck" ethos.

Questions asked by Members

1. How did you land your first role in sport?

2. What advice do you have for networking in the industry?

3. How do you manage stress during game-day emergencies?

4. What skills are crucial for succeeding in operations and event management?

5. How does the WNBL plan to attract more talent and grow its audience?

6. What’s your process for preparing for coffee catchups or networking meetings?

7. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about managing game-day operations?

8. How do you balance working for two organisations (Adelaide Crows and Adelaide Lightning)?

9. What’s a key moment in your career that made you think, “I can’t believe I’m doing this”?

10. What qualities or traits do you think are critical to thrive in a small sports organisation?

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