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The SportsGrad Podcast

Advertise on podcast: The SportsGrad Podcast

Rating
★★★★★
5
from
5 reviews
This podcast has
367 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
SportsGrad
Explicit
No
Date created
2020/06/26
Latest episode
2026/04/21
Average duration
40 min.
Release period
4 days

Description

Ever thought "I'd love to work in sport!" but have no idea where to start? You're in the right place. Join Reuben Williams (ex-Cricket Australia) each week to learn about jobs in the sports industry and how the people in those jobs forged a career they love. If you're trying to find your place in the industry, need some inspiration on what to do to get started, or just want to keep your finger on the pulse... you're going to love this catalogue of interviews. For more help to take the next step in making a career in sport a reality, subscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter: www.sportsgrad.com.au/newsletter LinkedIn: SportsGrad Instagram: @sportsgrad Connect with Reuben: Reuben Williams Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Check latest episodes from The SportsGrad Podcast podcast


The Method: You Got the Job. Now What?
2026/04/21
Want to land a job in sport? Apply for The SportsGrad Method: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program So you want to work in sport. You are not alone, and that is exactly the problem. Sport is one of the most competitive industries in the world. Everyone is passionate. Everyone has a degree. Everyone is willing to work hard. And yet most people spend years on the outside looking in, never quite understanding why. It is not a capability problem. It is a method problem. I am Reuben Williams, founder of SportsGrad. I landed a job at Cricket Australia the day after I finished university. When COVID hit and I was made redundant, I was headhunted into a role that doubled my salary. Not because I got lucky, because I had a method that most people never find. Since then that method has helped over 800 people land jobs in sport, from graduates with no experience to career professionals who thought the window had already closed. We have built a global network that members can tap into from day one, and spent ten years inside this industry learning exactly how hiring actually works. 80% of jobs in sport are never advertised. The people landing them are not the most qualified. They are the most visible, the most connected, and the most prepared to convert opportunity into an offer. That is what The SportsGrad Method teaches. How I can help you: 1. Listen to The Method — real coaching call snippets every Wednesday so you can hear the work in action. 2. Read The SportsGrad Newsletter — weekly insight on breaking into sport the right way. 3. Apply for The SportsGrad Method Program — if you are serious about making this happen, this is the fastest path. We review every application personally. If you refuse to settle for a career you do not care about, you are in the right place. Let's get to work: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program Reuben Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How to land a job at an AFL club with Melbourne FC HR & Recruitment Executive, Steph di Julio
2026/04/19
Meet Steph di Julio. Steph is the HR and Recruitment Executive at Melbourne Football Club - one of the AFL's most storied clubs. Steph is one of the few people who built a career in sport entirely from the ground up. After graduating with a Sports Management degree, having originally enrolled in PE teaching before pivoting in her final year, she cut her teeth in retail management before finding her way into sport through a volunteer role at Football Victoria. She was even rejected three times before landing her first paid role in the industry. What followed was seven years and four progressively senior roles from Summer Sevens Coordinator to MiniRoos Development Officer to Administrative Coordinator, all while completing her HR Management qualifications on the side. When she finally made the leap to the AFL level, both Melbourne Football Club and Carlton came calling in the same week. She chose the Dees and hasn't looked back since. Now she sits at the centre of Melbourne FC's people and culture operation, responsible for recruitment, onboarding, training and development, policy, performance reviews, and keeping the club's engagement scores where an AFL club's need to be. If you want to hear straight from the source on how to break into sport, handle rejection, and build a career from scratch, tune into this week's episode with Steph! We Cover: (03:04) - Interview starts (16:01) - What Steph learnt from working in retail (23:23) - How the HR role at Melbourne FC came about (26:23) - What does a typical day/week look like in Steph's role (29:18) - How HR performance is measured and what initiatives MFC take to improve workplace culture (35:06) - What the recruitment timeline in sport looks like (39:56) - How many people land jobs through references (42:46) - DOs and DON'Ts of applying for a role (45:48) - How Steph tackled the challenges of being a female in a male-dominated industry (48:59) - What challenges Steph faced in landing a job in sport (51:15) - How Steph decided what career path to take when she was lost for career direction (53:31) - What helped Steph stand out in each of her roles (54:24) - Why you need your own 'Board' (57:05) - Why Steph enjoys 'giving back' to people (58:34) - How to land a job in sport in the next 30 days (59:23) - Biggest 'pinch me' moment in Steph's career (01:01:41) - What Steph would have done if not a career in sport (01:02:17) - What a perfect day at work looks like (01:03:34) - Steph's question for next guest If you liked this ep, give these a go: #286: Inside the GWS Giants Social Media strategy with Jacob Gaynor #284: Journey to Football Operations Manager at the Sydney Swans with Steph Maiolo #193: How to be a psychologist in the AFL with Suzie Rhydderch Want a job in sport? Click here. Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Thanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Method: The identity shift that gets you hired in sport
2026/04/14
Want to land a job in sport? Apply for The SportsGrad Method: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program So you want to work in sport. You are not alone, and that is exactly the problem. Sport is one of the most competitive industries in the world. Everyone is passionate. Everyone has a degree. Everyone is willing to work hard. And yet most people spend years on the outside looking in, never quite understanding why. It is not a capability problem. It is a method problem. I am Reuben Williams, founder of SportsGrad. I landed a job at Cricket Australia the day after I finished university. When COVID hit and I was made redundant, I was headhunted into a role that doubled my salary. Not because I got lucky, because I had a method that most people never find. Since then that method has helped over 800 people land jobs in sport, from graduates with no experience to career professionals who thought the window had already closed. We have built a global network that members can tap into from day one, and spent ten years inside this industry learning exactly how hiring actually works. 80% of jobs in sport are never advertised. The people landing them are not the most qualified. They are the most visible, the most connected, and the most prepared to convert opportunity into an offer. That is what The SportsGrad Method teaches. How I can help you: 1. Listen to The Method — real coaching call snippets every Wednesday so you can hear the work in action. 2. Read The SportsGrad Newsletter — weekly insight on breaking into sport the right way. 3. Apply for The SportsGrad Method Program — if you are serious about making this happen, this is the fastest path. We review every application personally. If you refuse to settle for a career you do not care about, you are in the right place. Let's get to work: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program Reuben Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#348: From Law Firm to Formula 1 - How to Go In House in Sport with Chris Grant
2026/04/12
Meet Chris Grant, Principal Legal Counsel at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation - the government agency behind two of Australia's biggest motorsport events: the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island. Chris is one of the few people who successfully crossed the bridge from private practice law into the world of professional sport. After graduating from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Laws and completing exchange programs in Shanghai and Denmark, he cut his teeth at top-tier firm Minter Ellison, where years of grinding through clerkships, graduate rotations, and high-pressure corporate work laid the foundation. A pivotal secondment to the Department of Education opened his eyes to in-house life, and sparked the move that changed everything. He put his hat in the ring for a role at AGPC, beat out the field, and hasn't looked back since, earning multiple promotions in under four years to reach Principal Legal Counsel. He was also named a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Sport & Entertainment Awards 2024, and has spoken on the main stage at the ANZLA Sports Law Conference. On top of all this, Chris gives back as a mentor in the SportsGrad Method program. If you’re looking to swap your corporate skills into a career in sport, tune into this week’s episode with Chris! We Cover: (03:18) - Interview starts (04:39) - Quick Fire Questions (09:00) - Why Chris wanted to become a lawyer and what his journey looked like (14:21) - How Chris' role at AGPC came about and how the AGPC is structured (18:26) - Chris' growth within the AGPC (20:54) - What Chris' role looks like during and outside of event period (23:24) - How Chris supports different internal departments (25:10) - What 'event week' looked like for Chris at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix (27:53) - Insight into negotiations with F1 Management (31:07) - What collaboration with other F1 promoters looks like (32:50) - How does growth in the Legal Team at AGPC come about (33:28) - What AGPC is doing to deliver the final Moto GP in Phillip Island (35:38) - What does working at Moto GP with AGPC look like? (38:24) - Implications of Moto GP moving to Adelaide on the AGPC (39:29) - What contract negotiations with external partners look like (42:25) - Chris's role in contract negotiations (46:28) - What is the impact of AI that Chris has seen in his role (51:01) - How knowledge of contracts and law helps in grassroots sport committees (52:18) - Chris' involvement in the ANZLA Association (54:39) - What makes it difficult to get a job in sport (55:53) - How Chris decided what career path to take when he was lost for career direction (01:02:03) - What helped Chris stand out in each of his roles (01:03:52) - Impact of mentors on Chris' journey (01:05:16) - How Chris became a mentor in the SportsGrad Method Program (01:06:54) - How to land a job in sports law in the next 30 days (01:09:34) - Biggest " Pinch Me" moment working in sport (01:11:33) - What Chris' life would look like if he didn't land a job in sport (01:12:50) - Which sport is the next to have a 'Drive to Survive' style glow up? (01:14:08) - Question for next guest If you like this ep, give these a go next: #235: How to be the Head of Legal at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with Emily Jackson #243: Living the dream at the NFL, IOC & Brisbane 2032 Olympics with Tom Hickey #265: From Westpac to the Adelaide Crows FC in 29 days with Community Engagement Manager Want a job in sport? Click here. Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Thanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Method: How To Get Head Hunted in Sport
2026/04/07
Want to land a job in sport? Apply for The SportsGrad Method: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program So you want to work in sport. You are not alone, and that is exactly the problem. Sport is one of the most competitive industries in the world. Everyone is passionate. Everyone has a degree. Everyone is willing to work hard. And yet most people spend years on the outside looking in, never quite understanding why. It is not a capability problem. It is a method problem. I am Reuben Williams, founder of SportsGrad. I landed a job at Cricket Australia the day after I finished university. When COVID hit and I was made redundant, I was headhunted into a role that doubled my salary. Not because I got lucky, because I had a method that most people never find. Since then that method has helped over 800 people land jobs in sport, from graduates with no experience to career professionals who thought the window had already closed. We have built a global network that members can tap into from day one, and spent ten years inside this industry learning exactly how hiring actually works. 80% of jobs in sport are never advertised. The people landing them are not the most qualified. They are the most visible, the most connected, and the most prepared to convert opportunity into an offer. That is what The SportsGrad Method teaches. How I can help you: 1. Listen to The Method — real coaching call snippets every Wednesday so you can hear the work in action. 2. Read The SportsGrad Newsletter — weekly insight on breaking into sport the right way. 3. Apply for The SportsGrad Method Program — if you are serious about making this happen, this is the fastest path. We review every application personally. If you refuse to settle for a career you do not care about, you are in the right place. Let's get to work: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program Reuben Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#347: Sport Marketing & Communications - How to work in AFL, NBA and Seven Sport with Anthony Alsop
2026/04/05
Want a job in sport? Start here: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program Meet Anthony Alsop, Senior Marketing and Communications Executive and former General Manager of Communications at the Brisbane Lions. In this episode, we hear Anthony’s incredible journey from working at Coles and moonlighting as a tennis statistician to landing dream roles at Brisbane Lions, Richmond FC, Seven Sport, and even the NBA! We learn how Anthony bypassed the traditional "front door" of job applications by starting his own digital platform, how he helped lead the Brisbane Lions' marketing strategy, and his massive impact in the social enterprise space, raising over $7 million for homelessness alongside Ned Brockman. Anthony is a master of the "side door" entry into sport - from ranking AFL Twitter accounts to catch the eye of CEOs, to bringing a 15-slide strategy deck to an interview before he was even hired. So if you’re looking to swap your corporate skills into a high-performance sports career, listen to this week’s episode with Anthony! We cover: (03:00) - Interview starts (04:21) - Quick Fire Questions (14:36) - Summary of Anthony's Career Journey (15:35) - The inspiration behind creating SportSpiel and Jak Events (20:28) - How the role at Richmond FC came to fruition (25:27) - How Anthony landed his role at the NBA (28:26) - What Anthony's role at the NBA looked like (30:13) - Differences in the Australian and American Sport Industry (33:06) - Anthony's move from the NBA to Seven Sport (38:10) - Transitioning from Seven Sport to Brisbane Lions (47:39) - How Anthony's role at the Melbourne Rebels was unique from others (50:33) - Anthony's recent role as GM of Basketball.com.au (56:31) - Anthony's work with Nedd Brockmann and We Are Mobilise (01:04:35) - What helped Anthony stand out in landing each of his roles (01:06:11) - How Anthony supports the SportsGrad program (01:09:36) - How to land a Sport Marketing & Communications role in the next 30 days (01:10:45) - Biggest Pinch Me moment working in sport (01:11:54) - Anthony's life if he didn't work in sport (01:12:12) - Question from previous guest to Anthony (01:13:00) - Anthony's question for future guest If you like this ep, give these a go next: #289: How to move from London to Australia and work in sport with George Ludlow #280: How to get a sports marketing job in the English Premier League with Alex King #268: From PR agency to Head of Marketing & Comms at Sail GP Want a job in sport? Click here. Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Thanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Method: The part of LinkedIn nobody tells you about
2026/03/31
Want to land a job in sport? Apply for The SportsGrad Method: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program So you want to work in sport. You are not alone, and that is exactly the problem. Sport is one of the most competitive industries in the world. Everyone is passionate. Everyone has a degree. Everyone is willing to work hard. And yet most people spend years on the outside looking in, never quite understanding why. It is not a capability problem. It is a method problem. I am Reuben Williams, founder of SportsGrad. I landed a job at Cricket Australia the day after I finished university. When COVID hit and I was made redundant, I was headhunted into a role that doubled my salary. Not because I got lucky, because I had a method that most people never find. Since then that method has helped over 800 people land jobs in sport, from graduates with no experience to career professionals who thought the window had already closed. We have built a global network that members can tap into from day one, and spent ten years inside this industry learning exactly how hiring actually works. 80% of jobs in sport are never advertised. The people landing them are not the most qualified. They are the most visible, the most connected, and the most prepared to convert opportunity into an offer. That is what The SportsGrad Method teaches. How I can help you: 1. Listen to The Method — real coaching call snippets every Wednesday so you can hear the work in action. 2. Read The SportsGrad Newsletter — weekly insight on breaking into sport the right way. 3. Apply for The SportsGrad Method Program — if you are serious about making this happen, this is the fastest path. We review every application personally. If you refuse to settle for a career you do not care about, you are in the right place. Let's get to work: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program Reuben Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#346: Working in Football Partnerships – From Collingwood FC to Williamstown FC with Luke Attard
2026/03/29
Meet Luke Attard, the ex-Collingwood FC professional and now Head of Commercial & Partnerships at Williamstown Football Club. Luke started his career in sport volunteering at his local sports club alongside a year in the AFL SportsReady program. In 2018 his break in the industry came via Collingwood Football Club working in the membership team where he started to grow a passion for partnerships and sales. Luke’s hunger for success and eagerness to learn saw him transition into the partnerships team at the Pies followed by sales roles outside of sport and then returning to industry where he now heads up the commercial program at Williamstown Football Club. Luke is quickly becoming a well respected, leading commercial operator in sport and his journey provides a clear blueprint on how to tackle your studies and early professional life to setup your career for success. If you like this ep, give these a go next: #344: Tia Schwalger (Cricket Australia) #341: Nathan Perrone (TGI Sport) #337: Dante McDonald (Cricket Australia) Want a job in sport? Click here. Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Thanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Method: The Metric that actually gets you hired
2026/03/24
Want to land a job in sport? Apply for The SportsGrad Method: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program So you want to work in sport. You are not alone, and that is exactly the problem. Sport is one of the most competitive industries in the world. Everyone is passionate. Everyone has a degree. Everyone is willing to work hard. And yet most people spend years on the outside looking in, never quite understanding why. It is not a capability problem. It is a method problem. I am Reuben Williams, founder of SportsGrad. I landed a job at Cricket Australia the day after I finished university. When COVID hit and I was made redundant, I was headhunted into a role that doubled my salary. Not because I got lucky, because I had a method that most people never find. Since then that method has helped over 800 people land jobs in sport, from graduates with no experience to career professionals who thought the window had already closed. We have built a global network that members can tap into from day one, and spent ten years inside this industry learning exactly how hiring actually works. 80% of jobs in sport are never advertised. The people landing them are not the most qualified. They are the most visible, the most connected, and the most prepared to convert opportunity into an offer. That is what The SportsGrad Method teaches. How I can help you: 1. Listen to The Method — real coaching call snippets every Wednesday so you can hear the work in action. 2. Read The SportsGrad Newsletter — weekly insight on breaking into sport the right way. 3. Apply for The SportsGrad Method Program — if you are serious about making this happen, this is the fastest path. We review every application personally. If you refuse to settle for a career you do not care about, you are in the right place. Let's get to work: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program Reuben Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#345: Sports journalism, A-League bids, and building a media agency - Matt Windley on creating a career in sport
2026/03/22
Want a job in sport? Start here Meet Matt Windley, the Chief Executive Officer at Bruce Media. In this episode, we follow Matt’s diverse journey from sports journalist at the Herald Sun, working alongside some of the biggest names in sports journalism like Mike Sheehan to projects such as leading a bid for prospective A-League side Team 11. We breakdown how he supported Melbourne City’s move to Casey Fields, set the foundations for Auckland FC and now tells stories of the world game at creative media and marketing agency Bruce Media. Matt has been a popular face around football recently with Bruce Media’s Breaking Barriers documentary which is likened to the global phenomenon Welcome to Wrexham on a smaller scale. So if you’re looking to build a diverse career in sport, listen to this week’s episode with Matt! We cover: (02:40) – Interview starts (05:37) – Quickfire questions (11:17) – The start of Matt’s passion for football (13:24) – Matt’s experience working at the Herald Sun (21:14) – How Matt builds trust with important figures in sport for stories (23:54) - The birth of prospective A-League club, Team 11 (30:22) – Matt’s biggest learnings from the Team 11 bid (21:14) – How Matt builds trust with important figures in sport for stories (35:15) – The transition from failed bid to Melbourne City moving to the South-East (47:46) – Matt’s experience in the A-Leagues, helping to build Auckland FC (54:34) – What is Bruce Media and what does Matt do? (58:50) – Matt’s work on Breaking Barriers, Australia’s version of Welcome to Wrexham (1:05:41) – What are the issues Matt thinks people should know before entering the sport industry? (1:07:00) – What path has Matt decided to take when he feels stuck or lost? (1:09:48) – What made Matt stand out when landing his jobs in sport? (1:13:50) – The impact of Relationships on Matt’s career (1:17:03) – How Matt would build a career in Sports Journalism from scratch today (1:19:16) – Matt’s biggest pinch me moment working in sport (1:22:22) – Matt’s life if he didn’t work in sport (1:23:48) – Question from previous guest to Matt (1:26:06) – Matt’s question for future guest If you like this ep, give these a go next: #329: How Jarra Davis became a Fox Footy Presenter #328: How Cheets from TYPEMedia became a full-time content creator #325: How to build a career in sports media from scratch with Brody Burrows Thanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Method: How to post on LinkedIn so the right people in sport notice you
2026/03/17
Want to land a job in sport? Apply for The SportsGrad Method: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program So you want to work in sport. You are not alone, and that is exactly the problem. Sport is one of the most competitive industries in the world. Everyone is passionate. Everyone has a degree. Everyone is willing to work hard. And yet most people spend years on the outside looking in, never quite understanding why. It is not a capability problem. It is a method problem. I am Reuben Williams, founder of SportsGrad. I landed a job at Cricket Australia the day after I finished university. When COVID hit and I was made redundant, I was headhunted into a role that doubled my salary. Not because I got lucky, because I had a method that most people never find. Since then that method has helped over 800 people land jobs in sport, from graduates with no experience to career professionals who thought the window had already closed. We have built a global network that members can tap into from day one, and spent ten years inside this industry learning exactly how hiring actually works. 80% of jobs in sport are never advertised. The people landing them are not the most qualified. They are the most visible, the most connected, and the most prepared to convert opportunity into an offer. That is what The SportsGrad Method teaches. How I can help you: 1. Listen to The Method — real coaching call snippets every Wednesday so you can hear the work in action. 2. Read The SportsGrad Newsletter — weekly insight on breaking into sport the right way. 3. Apply for The SportsGrad Method Program — if you are serious about making this happen, this is the fastest path. We review every application personally. If you refuse to settle for a career you do not care about, you are in the right place. Let's get to work: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program Reuben Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#344: How the Hidden Job Market took this Grad to the Cricket Australia Commercial team in an Ashes summer with Tia Schwalger
2026/03/15
Want a job in sport? Start here: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program Meet Tia Schwalger, the Partnerships Coordinator at Cricket Australia. In this episode, we follow Tia’s journey with SportsGrad and how she was able to secure a job at Cricket Australia through the hidden job market. We breakdown her move from the Gold Coast to Melbourne, her recent summer of cricket, the importance of connections in achieving her goals as well as her time working at the Southport Sharks. We also take a deep dive into her experiences abroad from studying in Spain and England, working at Spanish basketball side, UCAM Murcia CB, as a Sport Management intern and her involvement with Blue Star Camps and Camp America. So if you’re looking for a job in sport, tune into this week’s episode to learn how you can break into the sports industry via the hidden job market. We cover: (03:13): Interview begins (04:12): Quickfire questions (09:22): Tia’s first exposure to SportsGrad (10:46): How the hidden job market helped Tia secure a job at Cricket Australia? (12:32): Tia’s role as Partnerships Coordinator at Cricket Australia (15:03): How Tia’s experience at the Southport Sharks helped her at her current role at Cricket Australia (19:47): Tia’s experience working with Camp America and Blue Star Camps (23:15): Tia’s experience studying and working in Spain (28:00): How Tia feels to be finally working full-time in the sports industry? (29:33): The three key things when it comes to job hunting (31:04): Why is the sports industry so hard to break into? (32:28): Tia’s mentors in her journey (33:53): What made Tia stand out from the rest to get her role at Cricket Australia? (34:56): What Tia would tell her younger self about breaking into the sport industry? (35:52): Tia’s pinch me moment in sport (37:38): What would Tia do if she wasn’t working in sport? (38:11): How to find experience in sport? (39:49): Question from previous guest to Tia (40:58): Tia’s question for future guest If you like this ep, give these a go next: #338: From the AFL, to Cricket NT CEO at 29, to Executive GM at Cricket Australia with Joel Morrison #337: How Dante beat 99% of Grads to land his dream job at Cricket Australia #309: How I landed my dream job at Cricket Australia | Reuben Williams, Founder of SportsGrad Thanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Method: The Hidden Rules of competitive networking events
2026/03/10
Want to land a job in sport? Apply for The SportsGrad Method: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program So you want to work in sport. You are not alone, and that is exactly the problem. Sport is one of the most competitive industries in the world. Everyone is passionate. Everyone has a degree. Everyone is willing to work hard. And yet most people spend years on the outside looking in, never quite understanding why. It is not a capability problem. It is a method problem. I am Reuben Williams, founder of SportsGrad. I landed a job at Cricket Australia the day after I finished university. When COVID hit and I was made redundant, I was headhunted into a role that doubled my salary. Not because I got lucky, because I had a method that most people never find. Since then that method has helped over 800 people land jobs in sport, from graduates with no experience to career professionals who thought the window had already closed. We have built a global network that members can tap into from day one, and spent ten years inside this industry learning exactly how hiring actually works. 80% of jobs in sport are never advertised. The people landing them are not the most qualified. They are the most visible, the most connected, and the most prepared to convert opportunity into an offer. That is what The SportsGrad Method teaches. How I can help you: 1. Listen to The Method — real coaching call snippets every Wednesday so you can hear the work in action. 2. Read The SportsGrad Newsletter — weekly insight on breaking into sport the right way. 3. Apply for The SportsGrad Method Program — if you are serious about making this happen, this is the fastest path. We review every application personally. If you refuse to settle for a career you do not care about, you are in the right place. Let's get to work: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program Reuben Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#343: From New Zealand to Designing for the Australian Open with Caitlin Hildyard
2026/03/08
Want a job in sport? Start here: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program Meet Caitlin Hildyard, the Lead Experience Designer at Tennis Australia. In this episode, we follow Caitlin’s journey from New Zealand to Melbourne and how she was able to overcome adversity to now have worked at the last two Australian Opens. We breakdown her role leading the end-to-end experience and delivery of the Elite Player App across digital and on-site services. We also discuss her independent agency she started during COVID and her involvement with SportsGrad as a member and mentor. We also take a deep dive into her impact on the golf scene in Wellington as a representative player, manager of the Women’s representative team and board member of Golf Wellington. If you want to maximise your time and overcome the challenges working abroad in the sports industry, this is the episode for you! We cover: (03:38): Interview begins (05:09): Quickfire questions (17:11): Caitlin’s love for travel and sport (19:55): Caitlin’s role at Tennis Australia (22:22): What is the Elite Player App? (26:14): The importance of stakeholder management and relationships (27:31): How Caitlin started her own independent design agency, Lemon Tart (33:10): Caitlin’s journey with golf (39:42): Caitlin’s biggest takeaway from being on the board at Golf Wellington (41:32): The challenges of moving abroad (44:10): Why is finding a job in sport so difficult? (47:23): The key role of mentors (50:14): Why did Caitlin joined SportsGrad as a member? (53:20): Caitlin’s involvement as a SportsGrad mentor (55:44): Caitlin’s sliding doors moment (56:45): How would you approach getting a job in sport within 30 days? (59:03): Caitlin’s pinch me moment (59:45): What would Caitlin’s life look like if she didn’t pursue a career in sport? (01:00:04): Caitlin’s question for the next guest If you like this ep, give these a go next: #341: Meet the new host of the SportsGrad Podcast! #339: How to land your first job in sport with Josh Marton, GM of Public Affairs & Marketing in Golf #227: How to be a Performance Analyst for Pro Tennis Players with Shane Liyanage Thanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Method: "Can I become Industry-Wanted before I’m Industry-Ready?"
2026/03/03
Want to land a job in sport? Apply for The SportsGrad Method: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program So you want to work in sport. You are not alone, and that is exactly the problem. Sport is one of the most competitive industries in the world. Everyone is passionate. Everyone has a degree. Everyone is willing to work hard. And yet most people spend years on the outside looking in, never quite understanding why. It is not a capability problem. It is a method problem. I am Reuben Williams, founder of SportsGrad. I landed a job at Cricket Australia the day after I finished university. When COVID hit and I was made redundant, I was headhunted into a role that doubled my salary. Not because I got lucky, because I had a method that most people never find. Since then that method has helped over 800 people land jobs in sport, from graduates with no experience to career professionals who thought the window had already closed. We have built a global network that members can tap into from day one, and spent ten years inside this industry learning exactly how hiring actually works. 80% of jobs in sport are never advertised. The people landing them are not the most qualified. They are the most visible, the most connected, and the most prepared to convert opportunity into an offer. That is what The SportsGrad Method teaches. How I can help you: 1. Listen to The Method — real coaching call snippets every Wednesday so you can hear the work in action. 2. Read The SportsGrad Newsletter — weekly insight on breaking into sport the right way. 3. Apply for The SportsGrad Method Program — if you are serious about making this happen, this is the fastest path. We review every application personally. If you refuse to settle for a career you do not care about, you are in the right place. Let's get to work: www.sportsgrad.com.au/program Reuben Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast reviews

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5 out of 5
5 reviews
★★★★★
Armaan192 2021/06/28
Great listen
Those who are trying to find a way into sports need to listen to this podcast!
★★★★★
ADubs1222 2021/06/28
One of the best podcasts for young professionals
This is one of the best podcasts for young professionals looking to get into the sports industry. SportsGrad does a terrific job of recruiting key lea...
★★★★★
Don't retire Dustin 2020/07/05
These guys are going places
Amazing insight - worth a listen for anyone who wants to improve their career
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