The SportsGrad Podcast: The Ultimate Guide to Make it in the Sports Industry

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 guestIf 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 ManagerWant a job in sport? Click here.Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokFollow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokThanks for listening, much love!

Want to land a job in sport? Apply for The SportsGrad Method: www.sportsgrad.com.au/programSo 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/programReuben

Want a job in sport? Start here: www.sportsgrad.com.au/programMeet 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 guestIf 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 GPWant a job in sport? Click here.Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokFollow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokThanks for listening, much love!

Want to land a job in sport? Apply for The SportsGrad Method: www.sportsgrad.com.au/programSo 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/programReuben

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 | TikTokThanks for listening, much love!

Want to land a job in sport? Apply for The SportsGrad Method: www.sportsgrad.com.au/programSo 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/programReuben

Want a job in sport? Start hereMeet 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 guestIf 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 BurrowsThanks for listening, much love!

Want to land a job in sport? Apply for The SportsGrad Method: www.sportsgrad.com.au/programSo 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/programReuben

Want a job in sport? Start here: www.sportsgrad.com.au/programMeet 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 guestIf 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 SportsGradThanks for listening, much love!