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The SportsGrad Podcast: The Ultimate Guide to Make it in the Sports Industry
#263: Journey to become a Sports Journalist with Sarah Burt
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Meet Sarah Burt, freelance sports journalist, commentator, MC and presenter!
Recently, Sarah has moved on from Channel 7 to pursue working for herself, has stepped up to host 3AW’s AFLW broadcast, and also has past experience in media roles at the AFL, The Age Newspaper, Fox Sports, ESPN, and the Hawthorn FC - she has a plethora of experience, and jumps on the pod today to share it with us.
She covers all things freelancing, such as what a day in her life looks like, how to navigate the pathway into working for yourself, and how to source jobs. Additionally, she chats about the skills needed to be a journalist, her tips on how to deal with networking (and the nerves that can come with it), and how she prepares for game-days and interviews.
This is a great episode if you’re curious on how the sports media industry operates, or you’re wanting to get a taste on the route to freelance work - make sure you tune in!
In today's episode we cover:
(0:00) - Introduction
(07:18) Community Update
(14:09) Quick Fire Questions
(19:39) What Sarah’s professional career revolves around
(27:04) Sarah’s trajectory into sports media
(37:04) What goes in to covering an AFLW match day
(43:53) Key skills and experiences needed to excel as a Sports Journalist
(49:24) Overcoming nerves when walking up to interview people
(58:57) Advice Sarah would give her younger self starting out
(01:00:22) ASK SPORTSGRAD
#244 - Katie Staniforth (Cricket Australia) - Event Manager at Cricket Australia
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Reuben Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reubenjw/
Ryan Walker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanwalker95/
SportsGrad: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sportsgrad/
Instagram: @sportsgrad
TikTok: @sportsgrad_
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.
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#318: Level 12 intensity
23:41|Want a job in sport? Click here.Welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast, hosted by Reuben Williams, ex-Cricket Australia employee, career coach, public speaker, content creator and Founder of SportsGrad. On this podcast you’ll hear how to find your perfect role, grow your network, win job applications, scale your personal brand, create opportunities for yourself, and land your dream job in sport. Plus the many failures and lessons Reuben has learned from landing a dream job before graduating, helping others to land 700+ jobs in sport, and interviewing over 300+ professionals from the NFL, NBA, AFL, ICC, Cricket Australia, Premier League, Olympics, and many more teams, leagues, agencies and startups.To learn more about Reuben, listen to this episode: #309: How I landed a dream job at Cricket Australia before graduating | Reuben WilliamsFollow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokFollow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love!#317: Critical advice for people job hunting for 3+ months (and avoid 3 more months of job hunting)
19:46|Want a job in sport? Click here.Welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast, hosted by Reuben Williams, ex-Cricket Australia employee, career coach, public speaker, content creator and Founder of SportsGrad. On this podcast you’ll hear how to find your perfect role, grow your network, win job applications, scale your personal brand, create opportunities for yourself, and land your dream job in sport. Plus the many failures and lessons Reuben has learned from landing a dream job before graduating, helping others to land 700+ jobs in sport, and interviewing over 300+ professionals from the NFL, NBA, AFL, ICC, Cricket Australia, Premier League, Olympics, and many more teams, leagues, agencies and startups.To learn more about Reuben, listen to this episode: #309: How I landed a dream job at Cricket Australia before graduating | Reuben WilliamsFollow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokFollow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love!- 22:00|Want a job in sport? Click here.Welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast, hosted by Reuben Williams, ex-Cricket Australia employee, career coach, public speaker, content creator and Founder of SportsGrad. On this podcast you’ll hear how to find your perfect role, grow your network, win job applications, scale your personal brand, create opportunities for yourself, and land your dream job in sport. Plus the many failures and lessons Reuben has learned from landing a dream job before graduating, helping others to land 700+ jobs in sport, and interviewing over 300+ professionals from the NFL, NBA, AFL, ICC, Cricket Australia, Premier League, Olympics, and many more teams, leagues, agencies and startups.To learn more about Reuben, listen to this episode: #309: How I landed a dream job at Cricket Australia before graduating | Reuben WilliamsFollow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love!
#315: How to get a job in sport - the advice I gave at Deakin University
59:39|Want a job in sport? Click here.Welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast, hosted by Reuben Williams, ex-Cricket Australia employee, career coach, public speaker, content creator and Founder of SportsGrad. On this podcast you’ll hear how to find your perfect role, grow your network, win job applications, scale your personal brand, create opportunities for yourself, and land your dream job in sport. Plus the many failures and lessons Reuben has learned from landing a dream job before graduating, helping others to land 700+ jobs in sport, and interviewing over 300+ professionals from the NFL, NBA, AFL, ICC, Cricket Australia, Premier League, Olympics, and many more teams, leagues, agencies and startups.Episode timestamps:(01:01) - Introduction(02:53) - Reuben's journey into the sports industry(06:34) - What is SportsGrad?(09:48) - How competitive it is to get a job in sport industry(13:03) - Strategies to enter the sports job market(17:15) - The role of LinkedIn in building a personal brand(21:25) - LinkedIn content strategy to follow while in University(24:54) - How to find career direction in sport(28:59) - Most In demand skills in sports industry(31:46) - How to build connections without feeling forced(38:06) - How do you start networking with industry professionals while at Uni(44:43) - What to say while networking(48:14) - Networking strategies for internships(50:28) - Importance of having a mentor for a career in sport(53:27) - How to get better at communication(54:39) - Certifications to gain leverage in the job market(56:37) - Advice on practical steps to help in career journey in sportTo learn more about Reuben, listen to this episode: #309: How I landed a dream job at Cricket Australia before graduating | Reuben WilliamsFollow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love!
#314: How Kiri Madhani pivoted into Commercial Partnerships at DAZN
01:26:28|How do you pivot your career to the commercial side of sport so you can grow the game you love?Kiri Madhani breaks down how she transitioned from game development roles to become a Senior Commercial Partnerships Manager at DAZN growing women’s football in Europe.If you feel like your career is a bit stuck, this is your roadmap.About the guest:Kiri Madhani Senior Commercial Partnerships Manager at DAZN, and is part of the team recently short-listed for Football Business of the Year Award at the 2025 Women’s Football Awards.Plenty to look out for in this conversation including Who is DAZN and what makes them a massive player in the sports media world. How Kiri consciously pivoted her career from game develop roles across university sport and charities into the Commercial world working with $Million deals and major rights holders. Plus tools on how to handle difficult conversations and work with others effectively. Kiri is one of my oldest friends in the sports industry, so naturally we go off topic a little from time to time, but I hope you enjoy.We cover:(00:00) - Interview begins(03:05) - Introduction(08:35) - Quick fire questions(20:01) - Kiri's role at DAZN explained(29:58) - Kiri's involvement in branding & pitching process(32:14) - Selling brand deals(37:25) - Understanding DAZN's offering(41:00) - Working with FIBA Media growing Women's Basketball(45:10) - How Kiri landed the role at DAZN(50:09) - How the FISU Forum in France influenced Kiri's career(58:07) - How a side role at London Rowing Club helped Kiri in landing a job in commercial sport(01:04:03) - Tips for a successful interview(01:10:10) - How to have tough conversations with colleagues(01:20:11) - Advice to her younger selfIf you like this ep, give these a go next:#289: How to move from London to Australia and work in Sports Marketing | George Ludlow’s journey to Gemba#290: Inside the 2025 FISU World University Games with Mirinda Kidman#309: How I landed a dream job at Cricket Australia | Reuben Williams, Founder of SportsGradWant a job in sport? Click here.Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love!#313: What’s really standing in the way of you and a dream career in sport
24:36|Want a job in sport? Click here.Welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast, hosted by Reuben Williams, ex-Cricket Australia employee, career coach, public speaker, content creator and Founder of SportsGrad. On this podcast you’ll hear how to find your perfect role, grow your network, win job applications, scale your personal brand, create opportunities for yourself, and land your dream job in sport. Plus the many failures and lessons Reuben has learned from landing a dream job before graduating, helping others to land 700+ jobs in sport, and interviewing over 300+ professionals from the NFL, NBA, AFL, ICC, Cricket Australia, Premier League, Olympics, and many more teams, leagues, agencies and startups.To learn more about Reuben, listen to this episode: #309: How I landed a dream job at Cricket Australia before graduating | Reuben WilliamsFollow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love!How to join cohort #2 of the SportsGrad Method
29:08|To join the next cohort, start by registering for this webinar on April 14: https://lu.ma/g4wjow28Want a job in sport? Click here.Welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast, hosted by Reuben Williams, ex-Cricket Australia employee, career coach, public speaker, content creator and Founder of SportsGrad. On this podcast you’ll hear how to find your perfect role, grow your network, win job applications, scale your personal brand, create opportunities for yourself, and land your dream job in sport. Plus the many failures and lessons Reuben has learned from landing a dream job before graduating, helping others to land 700+ jobs in sport, and interviewing over 300+ professionals from the NFL, NBA, AFL, ICC, Cricket Australia, Premier League, Olympics, and many more teams, leagues, agencies and startups.To learn more about Reuben, listen to this episode: #309: How I landed a dream job at Cricket Australia before graduating | Reuben WilliamsFollow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love!
#312: How Vimal Kumar Became a Cricket Writer, Built 600k+ on YouTube & Travelled the World
01:28:09|How do you go from being a cricket fan to travelling the world with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Adam Gilchrist?Vimal Kumar did just that.In this episode, we unpack his 25+ year journey from newsroom reporter to bestselling author, YouTuber, and one of India’s most trusted voices in cricket journalism. If you're curious about life behind the press box or dreaming of a media career in sport — this one's for you.About the guest:Vimal Kumar is one of India’s most experienced cricket journalists, with over 25 years covering the game across five continents. He’s worked with the BBC, India Today, and CNN-News18, and is the author of Sachin: Cricketer of the Century. Today, he runs a YouTube channel followed by thousands of cricket fans around the world.We cover:(04:27) - How Vimal managed to write a book on legendary Sachin Tendulkar(10:17) - How Vimal landed his first dream job in Media & Journalism(14:13) - Transition from producing documentaries for BBC to covering cricket on TV & around the world(19:07) - What made Vimal stand out to get his first dream job for covering cricket & how to make yourself valuable(24:17) - Skills needed to be the best in media & journalism and overcome challenges(27:31) - How Vimal got an interview with Michael Clarke & Adam Gilchrist(31:44) - Change from working with big TV channels to working as a Freelance Sports Journalist(37:13) - How shift in mindset about social media helped Vimal become a successful Freelance Sports Journalist(40:21) - How learning new skills constantly is important to thrive in today's digital world(43:07) - Highlights from covering sports as a Freelance Journalist including co-hosting a podcast with Ravi Ashwin(48:30) - Vimal's advice on how to create a compelling story that resonates with the audience(53:35) - Things to avoid to build genuine relations with professional athletes like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli(01:01:04) - What the day to day life of a Freelance Sports Journalist looks like(01:10:04) - Stories from travelling the world through sports(01:17:30) - Why India is so obsessed with cricket (in Vimal's opinion)(01:23:48) - What's next for Vimal If you like this ep, give these a go next:#307: CODE Sports, Digital Producer | Jessica Robinson#293: Making the Call, Sports Broadcasters | Lucy and Emma Race#242: The Origins of The Grade Cricketer with Sam PerryWant a job in sport? Click here.Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love!#311: Nobody cares what you can do - Do this instead.
20:32|Want a job in sport? Click here.Welcome to the SportsGrad Podcast, hosted by Reuben Williams, ex-Cricket Australia employee, career coach, public speaker, content creator and Founder of SportsGrad. On this podcast you’ll hear how to find your perfect role, grow your network, win job applications, scale your personal brand, create opportunities for yourself, and land your dream job in sport. Plus the many failures and lessons Reuben has learned from landing a dream job before graduating, helping others to land 700+ jobs in sport, and interviewing over 300+ professionals from the NFL, NBA, AFL, ICC, Cricket Australia, Premier League, Olympics, and many more teams, leagues, agencies and startups.To learn more about Reuben, listen to this episode: #309: How I landed a dream job at Cricket Australia before graduating | Reuben WilliamsFollow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.Thanks for listening, much love!