Hello, welcome to SportsGrad! 👋 

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!

Meet the GM of People & Culture at Cricket Australia

The easiest way to land a dream job is to ask employers what they’re looking for. When I landed my dream job at Cricket Australia immediately after my last exam, it was because I had a contact on the inside who spoke to me for 45 minutes about what I should prepare for in my interview. But to create this contact was extremly difficult and took a year of follow ups before I could ask him about the job.

That’s why I started the ‘Employer Insights’ online event series, so you can know exactly what employers want, and stop guessing in your applications and interviews.

Inside SportsGrad, you get access to Employer Insights live call and recordings from past sessions with people like the FIFA Women’s World Cup and ICC T20 World Cup. So you never have to wonder how to get a job with the biggest sports in the world.

On November 6th, we’re hosting a huge online event with the GM of People & Culture at Cricket Australia, responsible for leading the hiring at one of the biggest sports organisations in the world.

If you don’t want to arrive at your next interview and find you’re up against SportsGrad members who have this advantage, click below to become a Member.

“I joined the SportsGrad Community on May 16 and I got my new role with the Adelaide Crows on June 14 (29 days later).” - Parth Suri, ex-Westpac banker turned Community Engagement Manager

Ok, now back to Angus!

“My dream wasn’t just to work in sport but to make a global impact, and Adidas gave me the platform to do that.” - Angus Yeates

Meet Angus Yeates, a Graduate Management Trainee 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 partnerships with major retailers, 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. He has previously worked with Vector Foil Tech in Germany, handling business data operations, and he brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his current role at Adidas.

If you're a young job hunter interested in working with top global brands in the sports industry, Angus' journey offers invaluable lessons. He shares how persistence, networking, and taking risks in unfamiliar environments helped him land a dream role, and he provides insight into the critical skills required to succeed in a highly competitive industry.

🔥 Quickfire Questions

1. What inspired you to work in sport?

   Being involved in elite-level sport early on was a great taster for my love. I didn't necessarily want to work in sport when I started but I have always found myself connected in some way shape or form to sport

2. What was your first ever sports-related role?

   My first role was at 14 coaching and umpring kids hockey back in Devonport Tasmania. This then led to getting into umpiring which I did locally as well as nationally.

3. After High School, (if any) what extra study did you do?

   Completed an Undergraduate degree in Business @ University of Tasmania and have hopefully just finished my Masters of Business @ Deakin University

4. What's one interview question you were asked to answer for the job you're in?

   What's an example where you have faced adversity, and how did you overcome it?

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

   Mark Bouris-Straight Talk & the Mentor (Business focused)

6. If you could try another job in sport for a day, what would it be?

   TV show host or analyst on First Take ESPN NFL focused

🔥 Quickfire Journey

1. A childhood passion for Hockey: Angus grew up playing hockey in Tasmania and eventually became a coach and umpire.

2. Business Degree: He pursued a Bachelor of Business at the University of Tasmania, discovering an interest in combining sports with business.

3. Working in Germany: Angus moved to Germany to pursue hockey and ended up working in business operations with Vector Foil Tech.

4. Rejections and Persistence: Facing rejection from Bundesliga clubs, Angus took up labouring jobs before finding his place with Vector Foil Tech.

5. Sport Management Masters: Returned to Melbourne to take up his Masters at Deakin University

6. Adidas Graduate Program: Today, Angus is thriving at Adidas, working across several business sectors, including digital wholesale and e-commerce.

💬 Quotes from Angus

"Working in sport has been the perfect blend of passion and business, and I couldn't be happier with where I am now."

"The challenges I faced during my time in Germany taught me resilience—it's those tough moments that make the journey worthwhile."

"My dream wasn’t just to work in sport but to make a global impact, and Adidas gave me the platform to do that."

"It's not just about being an athlete—it’s about building a career that matches your passion for sports."

"I didn’t know what I wanted to do at first, but every step I took brought me closer to figuring it out."

"After multiple rejections, I realized it’s not the rejection that defines you but how you keep pushing forward."

"When you’re in the sports industry, every opportunity teaches you something, even the ones that don’t work out."

"Sports and brands are part of an ecosystem—working with Adidas showed me how much sport influences culture."

"I left a lot behind to pursue my passion, and despite the setbacks, every step has been worth it."

"You can always come back home, but it’s the experiences you have when you step out of your comfort zone that truly shape you."

Career Journey: How did Angus get here?

1. Early Passion for Sport and Hockey

Angus Yeates' love for sport, particularly hockey, began during his childhood in Tasmania. His involvement in hockey extended beyond playing; he took up roles as a coach and umpire at a young age. This hands-on experience not only solidified his passion for the sport but also introduced him to the concept of working within the sports industry. These early roles taught him valuable lessons about leadership, teamwork, and the importance of community engagement in sports.

2. Academic Foundation: Bachelor’s and Master’s in Business

Angus pursued a Bachelor of Business at the University of Tasmania. During his studies, he realised his desire to blend his passion for sport with his academic pursuits. Initially enrolled in a double degree in Business and Law, Angus quickly recognised that his calling wasn't in law, leading him to pivot and focus solely on business studies. His academic journey laid a foundation in understanding the commercial aspects of sport, and he later enhanced this knowledge by pursuing a Master's in Business at Deakin University.

3. The Leap to Germany: Challenges and Growth

Post-graduation, Angus took a significant leap in his career by moving to Germany. His initial goal was to advance his hockey career by playing in European leagues, but his journey took unexpected turns. While trying to break into professional sports, Angus faced several obstacles, including language barriers and the challenge of adapting to a new culture. Despite multiple rejections, such as being denied roles at Bundesliga clubs due to not speaking German, Angus remained persistent.

To support himself, he took on labour-intensive jobs, including construction work, before landing a role with Vector Foil Tech, a company specializing in the construction of large sports venues. This position gave Angus exposure to business operations, data management, and client relationships—all valuable skills that he would later apply in his career at Adidas.

4. Transition to Adidas: Graduate Management Trainee

After returning to Australia and navigating various jobs, Angus landed a coveted spot in Adidas’ Graduate Management Program. This 24-month rotational program offered Angus exposure to four distinct areas of the business, each six months long. The first stop on his journey was Category Planning, where he worked on forecasting products for Australia and New Zealand. His ability to predict market trends and optimize inventory proved crucial in ensuring that Adidas’ iconic products reached consumers on time.

His second rotation took him into the world of e-commerce, where he collaborated with partners such as The Iconic and eBay. In this role, Angus focused on optimizing Adidas’ digital presence, ensuring that consumers had a seamless shopping experience across multiple platforms.

5. Current Role: Digital Wholesale and E-Commerce

In his current role, Angus manages Adidas’ digital wholesale operations, specifically focusing on their partnership with Amazon. This responsibility includes ensuring product visibility, managing digital advertising campaigns, and optimizing customer engagement on the platform. His work not only contributes to Adidas’ bottom line but also helps the brand expand its digital reach in a highly competitive market. Angus’ involvement in this space has provided him with a deeper understanding of digital strategies, customer data analytics, and global brand management.

6. Networking and Building Connections

Throughout his journey, networking has played a crucial role in Angus’ career progression. From connecting with professionals in Germany to building relationships within Adidas, Angus consistently emphasizes the importance of reaching out and learning from others. Whether through formal meetings or informal LinkedIn connections, Angus has leveraged his network to open doors and explore opportunities in the global sports industry. His proactive approach to networking has not only helped him grow but has also allowed him to mentor others aspiring to work in sports.

7. Key Takeaways for Aspiring Job Hunters

Angus' journey offers several key takeaways for young professionals looking to break into the sports industry:

• Persistence in the Face of Rejection: Angus’ experience of being rejected from several roles early in his career did not deter him. Instead, it pushed him to keep learning and improving, leading to bigger and better opportunities.

• Global Experience: Taking risks, such as moving abroad to pursue sports, expanded Angus' horizons and helped him build resilience in challenging situations.

• Networking is Essential: Building a solid professional network has been instrumental in Angus' career, proving that “who you know” can often be just as important as “what you know.”

• Adapting to Different Roles: The rotational structure of Adidas' graduate program allowed Angus to explore different parts of the business, helping him figure out what he liked and didn’t like. This flexibility has been critical in shaping his career direction.

Role Overview: What does Graduate Management Trainee actually involve?

In Adidas’ Graduate Management Program, Angus Yeates has taken on multiple key responsibilities across various departments, each offering unique challenges and opportunities for growth. His role encompasses four major rotations, each lasting six months, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the company’s operations.

1. Category Planning

Angus’ first rotation involved working within Category Planning, where he played a pivotal role in forecasting products for the Australian and New Zealand markets. This required a deep understanding of consumer behaviour, market trends, and sales data. Angus worked closely with the product teams to ensure the right inventory levels were maintained, balancing the need for availability without overstocking. He was responsible for anticipating demand for key product lines, such as Adidas footwear and apparel, ensuring that popular products were always available while minimizing unsold stock. His analytical skills were essential in predicting seasonal demand shifts and in planning marketing strategies to align product launches with major sporting events.

2. E-Commerce and Partner Programs

Angus then transitioned to the e-commerce department, where his focus was on partner programs with major online retailers such as The Iconic and eBay. In this role, he worked on optimizing product listings, improving search visibility, and enhancing the overall digital shopping experience for Adidas customers. He collaborated with marketing and content teams to ensure that the digital presentation of Adidas products was engaging and aligned with the brand’s global standards. Angus also monitored sales performance and worked on special promotional campaigns, ensuring that Adidas products stood out in a crowded online marketplace. His efforts contributed to improving click-through rates and boosting conversion rates for key product categories.

3. Digital Wholesale with Amazon

Currently, Angus is managing Adidas’ digital wholesale operations with Amazon, a critical channel for the brand’s growth in the digital space. His primary responsibility is to optimise product visibility through data-driven advertising strategies and to manage the overall consumer experience on Amazon. This involves analysing consumer behaviour, running targeted ad campaigns, and working with Amazon’s internal teams to ensure that Adidas products are prominently featured. Angus also focuses on maximizing return on investment (ROI) for digital advertising spend, constantly refining strategies based on performance metrics. He plays a key role in ensuring that Adidas maintains a strong presence on one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms, driving both brand visibility and sales.

4. Brand Strategy and Market Alignment

Throughout his rotations, Angus has had the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of Adidas’ brand strategy. He has been involved in ensuring that the company’s global objectives align with local market needs. This involves collaborating with regional teams to tailor global campaigns to the specific preferences of consumers in the Australian and New Zealand markets. By ensuring that Adidas’ marketing efforts resonate with local audiences, Angus has helped the brand strengthen its connection with consumers in these regions, balancing the company’s global identity with localized strategies.

Questions asked by Members

1. What advice would you give to someone who wants to work overseas based on your experiences in Germany?

2. What specific strategies can I use to enhance my chances of being selected for a marketing internship at Adidas in Milan, Italy?

3. At what point have you had to weigh up how much you want to do the job, get the experience, etc., vs taking into account the money for the job and putting yourself first?

4. What skills or knowledge do you find most valuable in your current/past roles that you didn’t learn in university?

5. How would you weigh the importance of networking in securing the internship role at Adidas specifically?

6. What trends or developments in the sports industry excite you the most right now?

7. How have the realities of working at Adidas perhaps differed from your initial expectations? Good or bad, and how did you adapt to make the most of the opportunity?

8. Would you say that while on the path of understanding perspectives and not knowing where you will end up, it is important to enjoy the journey of gaining knowledge and perspective?

9. How often do you seek feedback from your employer, and what is the most important piece of feedback you have received?

10. What aspects of your experience as an athlete have you leveraged when applying for positions, and how did you use them to strengthen your applications?

11. What type of goals are more important to you: short-term goals or long-term goals?

12. Could you connect me with 1-2 people/anyone in a public speaking space?

13. Have you found any instability or obstacles working for a regional division of an international brand, especially regarding distributor models and regional divisions?

14. What’s been a pinch-yourself moment that confirmed working in sport is what you want to do?

15. What's next for you after the grad program? More study, a full-time role similar to your current one, or something different?

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