The SportsGrad Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

Breaking into the Premier League is no easy feat, but that’s exactly what, Dane Hinchy, did.After starting his own Football eCommerce business in Australia, Dane took the leap and moved to the UK, where he landed a job with Brighton & Hove Albion as part of the club’s digital team, working behind the scenes at one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League.In this episode, we break down how Dane made the move, what it took to get hired, and what life is really like working in football at the top level. If you’ve ever thought about taking your career overseas, this one’s for you.Enjoy!In this ep, we cover:(00:00) Introduction(01:27) Quick Fire Questions(05:38) What is Dane working on at the moment?(10:38) How did Dane build his business from scratch?(13:21) How was Dane's experience at university?(14:48) What factors and experiences shaped the direction of Dane's career?(22:27) Dane's approach to networking(29:38) How did Dane stand out during his interview at Brighton FC(35:30) What does Dane's day-to-day look like?(40:45) What skills has Dane had to work on to excel in his role?(43:18) What is one thing Dane would do differently if starting over?*If you like this ep, give these a go next:#296: Manchester FC, Head of Research | Tom Wilkins#290: 2025 FISU World University Games, Manager of Delegation Services | Mirinda Kidman#251: DMC Sport, Commercial Director | Chris Dobson*Want to break into sport quickly? Apply for the SportsGrad Accelerator (the fastest path to a job in sport):Stay up to day with job and networking opportunities - Subscribe to the SportsGrad Newsletter-Follow SportsGrad on LinkedIn-Follow SportsGrad on Instagram-Follow SportsGrad on TikTok-Follow Reuben Williams on LinkedIn-Follow Reuben Williams on Instagram-Follow Reuben Williams on TikTokBig thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia: www.deakin.edu.auThanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s about time I reintroduced myself! Today I’m going to share with you my journey in sport. Before diving headfirst into SportsGrad I experienced the unrelenting grind and overwhelming relief of breaking into sport.We’re talking failed exams, fired from jobs, dropping out of uni, internships in France, a dream job at Cricket Australia, travelling the country with international teams, and much more.If you’re wondering who is this Reuben guy behind SportsGrad, well this episode reveals all.Enjoy!We cover:06:27 – Dropping out and struggling through uni10:18 – Landing an internship that sent me to France13:21 – Meeting my mentor Wayne Oswald17:32 – Building the resume that landed me a dream job19:08 – Building the relationship that landed me a dream job20:34 – Answering 'what experience are you most proud of?'23:05 – What it was like to work at Cricket Australia as your first job25:01 – What it was like dealing with a sexual assault (let alone the ball-tampering scandal)27:40 – Leading a marketing campaign for the Women’s T20 World Cup30:44 – Working with the New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team as a Team Liaison Officer34:09 – Being made redundant and doubling my salary in the process35:44 – Working at the Men's T20 World Cup with the UAE Team as a Team Liaison Officer42:02 – Getting stranded in Dubai and being rescued by cricket connections45:30 – The joys of working in sport*If you like this ep, give these a go next:#297: Reuben in Paris (what it was actually like to attend the Olympic Games)#308: How to land a job in 2025#255: Transformative Goal Setting - The Career Operating System that changed my life*-Follow SportsGrad on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok-Follow Reuben Williams on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok-Subscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter for job and networking opportunities-Apply for the SportsGrad Accelerator to take the fastest path to a job in sportBig 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Landing a job in sport shouldn't feel like pushing a boulder uphill. Dive into this ep to hear how Reuben breaks it down very simply to give you a framework for success.We cover:(03:27) Community update(04:28) Events to look out for in 2025(06:38) How to get a job in sport in 2025(23:38) 'The SportsGrad Method' launching in 2025To apply for The SportsGrad Method, take the career audit.If you like this ep, give these a go next:#300: How to land a job in sport (without relying on luck) *Follow SportsGrad on LinkedInFollow @sportsgrad on InstagramFollow SportsGrad on TikTokFollow Reuben Williams on LinkedInFollow Reuben Williams on InstagramFollow Reuben Williams on TikTokSubscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter for job & networking opportunities: www.sportsgrad.com.au/eventsBecome a SportsGrad Member to shortcut your next job in sport: www.sportsgrad.com.auBig 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Jessica Robinson, Digital Production Specialist at Code Sports.With a knack for storytelling, Jess blends digital media, journalism, and creative production to craft engaging sports content. From managing social media strategies to enhancing audience engagement, she’s driving Code Sports’ growth in the competitive sports media industry.Previously, Jess honed her skills in roles with Basketball Australia, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, and the Australian Open, bringing expertise in journalism, public relations, and digital production.If you’re looking for insights into breaking into the sports industry, networking effectively, and mastering the digital skills demanded in today’s market, Jess’s journey offers a roadmap. Learn how she turned challenges into opportunities and leveraged her skills to make her mark in the sports world.We cover:(11:32) Jessica's interview with SportsGrad at the Aus GP(13:37) Quick Fire Questions(18:04) Jessica's role at CODE Sports(23:33) What KPIs journalists work towards(25:59) Jessica's career journey(29:25) Challenges people face in getting a job in sport(31:23) How Jessica sought career direction(35:18) How Jessica's Resume stood out from the rest(40:19) Jessica's advice to her younger self*If you like this ep, give these a go next:#302: Paris 2024, Content Creator | Stella Barry#293: Making the Call, Sports Broadcasters | Lucy and Emma Race#252: FIFA Women's World Cup, Media Volunteer | Vi Truong#197: Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Social Media Coordinator | Sophie Reis*- Follow SportsGrad on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok- Follow Reuben Williams on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok- Subscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter for job & networking opportunities: www.sportsgrad.com.au/events- Become a SportsGrad Member to shortcut your next job in sport: www.sportsgrad.com.auBig 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Billie Lewis, the Strength and Conditioning Lead at the Dandenong Stingrays.Billie’s role involves managing the physical development of young athletes to ensure they’re ready to excel on game days. With her knack for building rapport and meticulous attention to detail, Billie has earned her place as a trusted leader at the Stingrays.Before this, Billie worked at St Kilda Football Club in Membership and later transitioned into coaching through persistence and strategic networking. Her journey from a sport management diploma to an exercise science degree and now working with elite athletes is filled with valuable lessons for aspiring sports professionals unsure which direction to take.If you’re curious about breaking into high-performance roles or want to learn how to navigate the world of sports while building confidence, this is a story you’ll want to explore.We cover:(05:37) - How Billie became a SportsGrad member(07:07) - Quick Fire Questions(13:12) - Billie's journey to landing her current role(17:36) - How Billie decided on majoring in strength and conditioning(20:14) - The story behind Billie's 'why' for working in sport(22:55) - How networking has helped Billie along her journey(25:56) - What a day in Billie's role looks like(29:43) - How Billie builds rapport with athletes(34:30) - "Pinch me" moments Billie experienced(37:14) - What Billie would have done if not for a role in sportIf you like this ep, give these a go next:#215: National Recruiting Manager, Gold Coast Suns FC | Kall Burns#240: Biomechanist, Victorian Institute of Sport | Victoria Brackley #275: Audience Growth & Engagement Coordinator, Richmond FC | Shayla Clarke #284: Football Operations Manager, Sydney Football Club | Steph Maiolo *- Follow SportsGrad on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok:- Follow Reuben Williams on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok - Subscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter for job & networking opportunities: www.sportsgrad.com.au/events- Become a SportsGrad Member to shortcut your next job in sport: www.sportsgrad.com.auBig 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.