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! Lots to look out for including how to work in football operations and the skills you need to do so.

If you enjoy this chat with Steph, come along to the Sydney SportsGrad Meetup on May 16th, where she’ll be one of our guest speakers! You can grab a ticket via our website linked below.

Make sure you tune in, it’s a great one.

We cover:

(00:42) Who is Steph Maiolo?

(01:40) Welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast! Here’s what’s happening inside the Community…

(04:47) Welcome to the podcast Steph!

(05:50) Quick-fire questions

(11:28) What does it look like being a Football Operations Manager in the AFL?

(12:14) How Steph went from an intern at the Swans through to a Manager

(13:46) What was Steph doing that made her stand out for promotions?

(15:41) Advice Steph would have for interns looking to stand out

(16:22) Steph’s favourite parts of working in football operations

(17:33) What a match day looks like versus a regular day and how Steph stays organised

(20:24) What does the off-season look like for those working in the AFL?

(22:30) Challenges in Steph’s role

(24:04) Times Steph has had to navigate mistakes at work

(25:19) The top skills needed to be a Football Operations Manager

(28:17) If you want to work in a similar role, this is what Steph recommends you do…

(31:14) Advice for networking events

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Additional episodes you may enjoy:

#193 - Suzie Rhydderch (Sydney Swans) - How to be a psychologist in the AFL

#244 - Katie Staniforth (Cricket Australia) - Event Manager at Cricket Australia

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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 Newsletter

The SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities. Join as a Rookie or Pro Member.

👉 Become a SportsGrad Member

Want our recruitment insights? Hiring Managers, get the SportsGrad Talent newsletter

👉 Subscribe to SportsGrad Talent

Follow 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.au

Thanks for listening! You’re all legends.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Hayley Gorman, the Workforce Coordinator at UniSport Australia, and one of our beloved SportsGrad Members!

We met Hayley last year in October when she joined the Community, and was working part-time for the Bicycle Network. Since then, she’s gone to land her first full-time role, as well as become a super active and well-known member within SportsGrad.

Lots to look out for including how to land your first full-time job in sport, tips to improve your networking and leadership skills, what it’s like moving interstate for a job, and how being a SportsGrad Member has helped her career.

Enjoy this episode!

We cover:

(00:39) Who is Hayley Gorman?

(01:37) Welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast! Here’s what's going on in the Community…

(03:59) Welcome Hayley!

(05:28) Quick-fire questions

(08:48) What does Hayley do at UniSport Australia as the Workforce Coordinator?

(12:37) The roles Hayley had before her first full-time role in sport

(14:42) How does Hayley balance FT work and travel/fun

(18:21) How did the application at UniSport work and how did Hayley stand out?

(20:01) Why did Hayley become a SportsGrad Member?

(23:30) How Hayley has found confidence within herself

(27:28) What are the skills most important in people-facing roles, and how does Hayley practice them?

(29:59) How Hayley decided to make the move interstate and tips she has if you’re thinking of doing the same

(32:42) When has Hayley utilised her network in sport?

(36:33) What is something Hayley wishes she could tell her first year of uni self?

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Additional episodes you may enjoy:

#168: Geordie Miles (Spark Event Group) - How to turn casual work into a full-time career

#231: Clayton Henderson (Golf Australia) - Journey to Commercial Partnerships Coordinator

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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 Newsletter

The SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities. Join as a Rookie or Pro Member.

👉 Become a SportsGrad Member

Want our recruitment insights? Hiring Managers, get the SportsGrad Talent newsletter

👉 Subscribe to SportsGrad Talent

Follow 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.au

Thanks for listening! You’re all legends.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Kimerah Ramnath, Formula 1 Content Creator, who specialises in F1 fashion, pop-culture, and insightful commentary.

In less than two years, she has grown a community of over 48,000 followers, and amassed over 5 million likes, driven by a passion for inclusivity and empowerment of women in motorsport.

Lots to look out for including how to work for yourself in content creation, the skills needed to cultivate a passionate community, and what it’s like working so close to the F1 action.

You can find her on TikTok at @f1kimiz and on IG at @kimerahramnath.

Enjoy the episode!

We cover:

(00:37) Who is Kim Ramnath?

(01:45) Hello and welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast!

(02:13) What’s going on inside the Community?

(05:18) Welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast Kim!

(07:30) Quick-fire questions

(10:34) How did Kim get into F1 content creation?

(14:29) When Kim realised she wanted to make content creation a full-time job

(15:58) How Kim learnt the skills needed without any formal training/education

(17:26) Lessons Kim has learnt about being unique with her content

(19:38) Content and ideas that have helped her following get to nearly 50k

(26:47) Reuben gets Kim’s ideas on content to make in India

(29:23) The most challenging parts of being a solo content creator

(30:59) How Kim deals with trolls online

(33:21) Advice Kim has for those who want to start social media but are nervous to

(34:54) How did Kim find the courage to start content creation?

(36:14) Cool opportunities (like being in F1 garages(!)) Kim has gotten through her job

(42:22) Inject your own personality and always just ask - Kim’s advice on how to grow your own following

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Additional episodes you may enjoy:

#197: Sophie Reis (Australian Grand Prix Corporation) - How to be a content creator in Formula 1

#272: Pete Lock (Queensland Cricket) - Journey to General Manager of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Queensland Cricket

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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 Newsletter

The SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities. Join as a Rookie or Pro Member.

👉 Become a SportsGrad Member

Want our recruitment insights? Hiring Managers, get the SportsGrad Talent newsletter

👉 Subscribe to SportsGrad Talent

Follow 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.au

Thanks for listening! You’re all legends.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Abhi Arunachalam, the Head of Media Rights at Cricket Australia.

Abhi started his career as a corporate lawyer, then after 6 years in private practice he made the jump to sport, landing a secondment role at the AFL as an in-house Lawyer. This gave him a foot into sport and launched his career at Cricket Australia.

In Abhi’s 9 years at CA, he’s made a few internal moves, proving you don’t have to sit still in the job you’ve got. When he started at CA, he joined as a Legal Counsel, then he moved to the Big Bash Leagues team as Strategy & Planning Director, and now he’s transitioned into Media Rights.

Lots to look out for including how to transition across industries and departments, plus the ins and outs of working in Media Rights.

If you like this episode, you can come and hear more about Abhi’s story in person at our Melbourne Meetup! He’ll be one of the guest speakers on May 10th, so make sure you grab a ticket via our website and come along.

Enjoy the episode!

We cover:

(00:43) Who is Abhi Arunachalam?

(01:59) Welcome!

(04:03) What’s happening inside the SportsGrad Community - meetup announcements, member intakes and community wins!

(07:40) Welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast Abhi

(11:05) Quick-fire questions

(17:47) What does Abhi do in his role as Head of Media Rights?

(21:49) Strategies and approaches Abhi utilises to grow cricket’s reach

(25:00) What drew Abhi to media rights

(27:09) How media rights are established and fold out over a period of time

(34:17) What were the series of jobs and experiences that lead him to Cricket Australia

(39:46) How he transitioned through different roles at the AFL

(44:30) Challenges with changing industries and departments

(47:10) Navigating imposter syndrome

(50:09) How has Abhi changed personally over the past ten years

(53:20) How Abhi strives to be a good manager and the types of people he looks for to be in his team

(57:50) Advice for Abhi’s younger self

(01:04:01) ASK SPORTSGRAD

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Additional episode you may enjoy:

#148: Andrew Ryan (FIBA) - How to sell sports media rights

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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 Newsletter

The SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities. Join as a Rookie or Pro Member.

👉 Become a SportsGrad Member

Want our recruitment insights? Hiring Managers, get the SportsGrad Talent newsletter

👉 Subscribe to SportsGrad Talent

Follow 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.au

Thanks for listening! You’re all legends.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Alex King, the Senior Marketing Executive at Premier League Club, Crystal Palace, and one of our SportsGrad Pro Members.

Only 2 years ago, he was a uni graduate who had a dream of working in football full time, and after a Marketing Internship at West Ham United, he’s now smashing goals in a full-time role at Palace.

Lots to look out for, including how to land your first full-time job in sport, how to stand out in an internship, and what it’s like working in the English Premier League.

Enjoy the episode!

We cover:

(00:44) Who is Alex King?

(01:41) Hello and welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast!

(07:00) What’s happening inside of the SportsGrad Community?

(10:05) Welcome Alex!

(11:30) Quick-fire questions - first jobs, favourite sporting moments, and most used resources

(19:42) Alex’s role at Crystal Palace and the best bits about it

(21:09) What does a Marketing team look like at an EPL club?

(23:23) The series of jobs and internships that Alex had to lead him to Palace

(28:35) How Alex made the most of his internship role at West Ham United

(31:42) What the interviewing and onboarding process is like at Crystal Palace

(33:16) The decision making process when moving from one club to another

(39:04) What a day in Alex’s life looks like at an EPL club in London

(45:02) Challenges in Alex’s role

(46:20) Essential skills to work in Sports Marketing

(48:03) Advice Alex would give to his younger self

(51:16) ASK SPORTSGRAD

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Additional episodes you may enjoy:

#262: Sport Management grad to living the dream at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Cricket Australia with Francesca Teh

#276: How to land a dream job at FIFA with Jack Coles

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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 Newsletter

The SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities. Join as a Rookie or Pro Member.

👉 Become a SportsGrad Member

Want our recruitment insights? Hiring Managers, get the SportsGrad Talent newsletter

👉 Subscribe to SportsGrad Talent

Follow 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.au

Thanks for listening! You’re all legends.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Michael Barker, freelancer videographer, photographer and the Co-Founder and Director of Two Times Creative.

Previously, he has worked at Hoop City, Carlton FC, and the NBL, working in all things digital - think production, editing, social media marketing, graphic design, and more.

He also has a newsletter, runs classes and uses his socials to teach people how they can level up their digital knowledge. Lots to look out for, including how you can work as a freelancer, how to break into the creative side of sports (without any formal training), and the skills you need to do so.

Check out Two Times Creative's work here.

Enjoy!

We cover:

(00:29) Who is Michael Barker?

(01:34) Hello and welcome!

(04:40) What’s going on inside the SportsGrad Community?

(07:35) Welcome Michael!

(09:28) Quick-fire Questions

(15:58) Experience Barks has had to get to where he is now freelancing

(20:06) How Barks learnt all of his skills with no formal training

(21:10) Applying for a role at Carlton FC without ticking all of the boxes (and getting it)

(23:28) Working at Carlton FC between all of the different departments

(25:30) How did he figure out full-time freelancing was for him?

(27:04) What does a typical week look like as a freelancer?

(30:13) Is it possible to make enough money as a freelancer to compensate a leaving a full-time job?

(32:39) Big lessons Barks has picked up so far

(34:34) The risks of starting freelancing and the worries that come with it - partner’s thoughts, financial struggles, etc.

(47:08) Essential skills needed to be a videographer and photographer

(51:29) Advice for aspiring creatives and how you can learn from Barks

(55:52) ASK SPORTSGRAD

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Additional episode you may enjoy:

#242: The Origins of The Grade Cricketer

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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 Newsletter

The SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities. Join as a Rookie or Pro Member.

👉 Become a SportsGrad Member

Want our recruitment insights? Hiring Managers, get the SportsGrad Talent newsletter

👉 Subscribe to SportsGrad Talent

Follow 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.au

Thanks for listening! You’re all legends.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello and welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast!

Today we’ve got a solo pod, where we’re diving into what the SportsGrad Community is and how you can be a part of it. The Rookie Community is re-opening on the 14th of May, and we want to make sure that you’re fully across it and how it can benefit you!

We created the SportsGrad Community because a major problem with careers in sport, is that it’s so heavily reliant on your network. You probably always hear the phrase “who you know is more important than what you know”, and for good reason - when you have a network in sport, your career rolls out 10x easier.

So, we bring the sports network to you. You can join 700+ like-minded people in a private Community, no matter if you’re at university, the start of your career, job-swapping, or living halfway across the world.

Lots to look out for, including what you get as a Member, when to join, how to make the most of it, and success stories from the Community. Make sure to put your name on the waitlist to keep up to date with updates about the intake happening on May 14th.

You can subscribe here 👉 www.sportsgrad.com.au/community

Enjoy the episode!

We cover:

(00:24) Hello and welcome!

(01:31) Reuben’s weekend at the F1 with McLaren

(09:54) SportsGrad Community updates

(12:17) What exactly is the SportsGrad Community?

(12:53) How can you get into the Community?

(16:12) How you can build your network in sport, and success stories from the Community

(23:41) When is the right time to join SportsGrad (spoiler alert: now!)

(26:05) How SportsGrad can help you from all over the world

(27:26) Features and events inside the Community - exclusive events, job boards and recruiting, meetup tickets etc.

(33:27) How the exclusive Discord works

(34:27) The price of joining

(36:59) What is the commitment required?

(38:42) So, how do I join the Community?

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Additional episode you may enjoy:

#200: How to get a job in sport without getting lucky

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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 Newsletter

The SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities. Join as a Rookie or Pro Member.

👉 Become a SportsGrad Member

Want our recruitment insights? Hiring Managers, get the SportsGrad Talent newsletter

👉 Subscribe to SportsGrad Talent

Follow 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.au

Thanks for listening! You’re all legends.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Eray Saban, the Assistant General Manager of ASM Jacksonville and the Director of EverBank Stadium, home to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

As you’ll learn in this episode, Eray is no stranger to a large stadium and event, and all of the challenges that come with it. From sports games, to sell-out concerts, to dealing with the FBI, his job is to make sure that every attendee has a safe and enjoyable experience.

Previously, his roles have included Event Operations Manager at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, Stadium Event Manager at Marvel Stadium, and Event Operations Coordinator at Tennis Australia.

Lots to look out for, including how to break into the US sports industry, skills needed to manage large-scale events, and how to effectively manage and lead.

Enjoy the episode!

We cover:

(01:25) Who is Eray Saban?

(02:38) Reuben & Ryan welcome

(07:40) What’s happening in the SportsGrad Community?

(11:45) Get to know Eray: Quick-Fire Questions

(15:25) Who are ASM Global?

(19:45) Journey from China to the US following his role at Marvel Stadium

(25:05) How Eray navigates the safety and well-being of crowds at large events

(30:29) Things people wouldn’t know about event management

(31:25) How Eray transitioned to living to the US

(33:27) Application process for an NFL stadium

(35:45) What to know about the US Visa process

(39:29) How Eray used LinkedIn and networking to get hired for overseas roles

(44:39) How differentiating yourself will get you your dream roles

(47:53) Similarities and differences between the AFL and NFL

(52:07) The investment that goes into public safety

(53:35) Challenges as an event manager

(58:14) How Eray has dealt with the transition into leadership

(1:01:09) Advice that has shaped Eray’s leadership skills

(1:03:24) One action that you can do to start your event management career

(1:06:27) ASK SPORTSGRAD

Additional episodes you may enjoy:

#41: Eray Saban (Marvel Stadium) - How to Launch your Career in Event Management

#208: Kerry Gassner - How to make a career change into the sports industry

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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 Newsletter

The SportsGrad Community connects Members to peers, professionals, events, jobs, and development opportunities. Join as a Rookie or Pro Member.

👉 Become a SportsGrad Member

Want our recruitment insights? Hiring Managers, get the SportsGrad Talent newsletter

👉 Subscribe to SportsGrad Talent

Follow us on Instagram!

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.au

Thanks for listening! You’re all legends.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.