Meet Dante McDonald, the Customer Experience Operations Coordinator at Cricket Australia.

In this episode, we follow Dante’s journey with SportsGrad and how he was able to get a job at Cricket Australia in only 16 days and another one only a couple months later.

We breakdown how he joined SportsGrad and the connections he made with some of SportsGrad’s South Australian members to get work at the Adelaide Lightning and the Adelaide Crows. We also discuss his current role at Cricket Australia and what he’s been up to at the Ashes in Perth.

So if you're looking for a job at Cricket Australia, Dante shares what interview questions to expect and gives advice about posting on LinkedIn.

If you want to chat with Dante, connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dante-mcdonald/

We cover:

(05:16) - Interview begins

(06:47) - Quickfire Questions

(07:55) - Interview Process with Cricket Australia

(14:01) - How Dante joined SportsGrad

(22:33) - Lessons from the SportsGrad Method Program that helped Dante

(24:36) - LinkedIn advice

(27:56) - How Dante joined Cricket Australia/How Reuben shortlists SportsGrad Members

(32:49) - Dante’s thought process moving from Adelaide to Melbourne

(40:43) - Dante’s time as Partnerships Coordinator at Cricket Australia

(46:13) - Dante’s career switch at Cricket Australia

(53:35) - Dante’s role as Customer Experience Operations Coordinator at Cricket Australia

If you like this ep, give these a go next:

#333: Managing Partnerships for the Nike Melbourne Marathon at IMG with Clayton Henderson

#265: From Westpac to the Adelaide Crows FC in 29 days with Community Engagement Manager, Parth Suri

#309: How I landed my dream job at Cricket Australia | Reuben Williams, Founder of SportsGrad

Want a job in sport? Click here.

Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

Big 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 Williams

Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

Big 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.

Coming up on the show today is Dan Simons, the Director of People and Community at the Victorian Institute of Sport.

In this episode, we dissect the Victorian Institute of Sport's new strategy for the next eight years in the lead up to Brisbane 2032. We breakdown each of the priority areas for the VIS and how that looks in practice, and what it means for you and your career. Dan then goes into detail on how to use a company strategy to help enhance your next application, no matter where you apply in the sports industry. So if you're looking for a job at the Victorian Institute of Sport (or any High performance organisation), Dan shares what they look for when recruiting, to nail an application here, plus how you can incorporate it into your resume, cover letter, and interview… so that you can make sure an employer can see you’re aligned on their mission. Dan was previously the Head of People & Culture at Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia. And back in episode 110, you can hear his advice on how to Master your job application.

If you like this ep, give these a go next:

#110: How to master your job application with Dan Simons (Golf Australia)

#128: How to sell yourself in a cover letter with Kimberlee Furnace (Netball Australia)

#240: How to be a Biomechanist at the Victorian Institute of Sport with Dr. Victoria Brackley

Want a job in sport? Click here.

Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

Big 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 Australian Cricket Journalist, Author, and Broadcaster, Adam Collins. Adam is one of Australia’s biggest cricket journalists, covering the game all around the world for the likes of SEN, The Guardian, Sky Cricket, BBC, Wisden, ESPNCricifo and more.

His podcast, The Final Word, which he co-hosts with Geoff Lemon, has been running for 10 years, has more than 1500 episodes published, and often regarded by Wisden as the best Cricket Podcast in the world.

However, Adam didn’t take the a traditional route into sports journalism, pivoting after a full-on early career in politics working for the Prime Minister’s office in Canberra. Heaps to look out for in the episode including Adam’s early career, transition to sport, starting the Final Word Podcast, buying the rights to the post-sandpaper 2018 UAE Tour, and how buying the Batmobile from the 1991 Grand Final led to campaigning for Andy Gowers to be Hawthorn Football Club President.

Adam has also got a book coming out called ‘Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics’ which we discuss, you can get your hands on it in the UK on November 17, and in Australia on November 25.

If you like this ep, give these a go next:

#327: How Andy Gowers became President of the Hawthorn Football Club

#242: The origins of The Grade Cricketer with Sam Perry

#213: How The Grade Cricketer became a global success with Ian Higgins

Want a job in sport? Click here.

Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

Big 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.

Coming up on the show today is the SportsGrad Podcast’s first ever 3-time guest, Clayton Henderson, Partnerships Manager at IMG who worked on the 2025 Melbourne Marathon.

Clayton joined SportsGrad in 2021, and first appeared on episode #183, where he was fresh out of uni, before coming back in episode #231 to talk us through his role in Commercial Partnerships at Golf Australia.

Today, Clayton runs us through working on a record-breaking Melbourne Marathon in the role of Partnerships Manager at IMG.

If you want to understand the rapidly growing world of mass participation events, the commercial program of the IMG events cycle, and future developments to expect for large scale events, you’ll love this chat.

We cover:

(01:41) - Interview begins

(04:16) - Quickfire questions

(08:47) - How Clayton made his move to IMG

(0:13:43) - How the IMG events cycle effects Clayton’s role

(0:19:33) - Clayton’s work on the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival

(0:23:50) - Advice Clayton wishes he could’ve given himself for this role

(0:27:36) - What IMG covers as a business

(0:29:11) - How Clayton made the first move in his career

(0:34:29) - Where have Clayton’s connections from SportsGrad Meetups led to?

(0:37:38) - Clayton’s learnings over the last 12 months

(0:43:40) - Clayton’s advice for someone becoming a young professional

If you like this ep, give these a go next:

#183: Reuben career coaches a grad | Clayton Henderson

#231: Commercial Partnerships at Golf Australia | Clayton Henderson

#181: Commercial Partnerships at Western Unite | Nathan Perrone

Want a job in sport? Click here.

Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

Big 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 Williams

Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

Big 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 Williams

Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

Big 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 Maddison Nutting, the Corporate Sales Executive at the Brisbane Lions.

Maddison’s role involves crafting high-value membership experiences, managing corporate hospitality, and connecting fans to the game they love. From working with elite AFL teams to engaging members with innovative campaigns, her work brings together the Brisbane Lions community.

Maddison’s journey is diverse, with experiences spanning the Music Industry, Pet travel, and then sport where she’s worked at Cricket Australia and Carlton Football Club.

If you’re dreaming of a career in sports, Maddison’s story will help you make the right career move any every junction, and sell yourself effectively along the way.

She’s done an exceptional job to find time for a chat during Grand Final week where her mighty Brisbane Lions are taking on the Geelong Cats, so enjoy this AFL Grand Final special with Maddison Nutting.

We cover:

(03:14) - Interview begins

(05:37) - Quickfire questions

(12:28) - Maddison’s current role

(19:34) - The development of membership offerings at Brisbane

(20:52) - The most critical part of being successful in Maddison’s job

(22:36) - How Maddison got her job at the Lions

(24:23) - Maddison’s work on building a network, selling herself, and building an online presence

(33:55) - Maddison’s approach to networking

(35:57) - Maddison’s career journey

(50:36) - Maddison’s career choice guiding principles

(51:31) - Biggest influences on Maddison’s career

(56:06) - Maddison’s advice for someone looking for their next opportunity

(1:00:35) - Maddison’s advice for someone with untapped potential

If you like this ep, give these a go next:

#314: DAZN Commercial Partnerships | Kiri Madhani

#257: Carlton FC Membership Sales Officer | Maddy Ryan

#231: Golf Australia Commercial Partnerships | Clayton Henderson

Want a job in sport? Click here.

Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

Big 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 Jarra Davis, the 22 year old content creator blowing up on socials at the moment after he won the ‘Kayo Call Up’ competition that landed him an 8 week internship as a presenter on Fox Footy… but he didn’t stop there.

Jarra has taken the opportunity and run with it to not only extend his contract but set up future opportunities, brand deals, and more.

There is a lot more to this Law, Economics & Philosophy student than meets the eye. If you want to learn how to grow an audience of 150k followers, sell yourself to massive broadcasters like Fox Sports, or even repurpose the content you’re creating specifically for decision makers on LinkedIn, you’re going to love this chat.

We cover:

(04:00) - Interview begins

(05:02) - Quickfire questions

(0:12:47) - How Jarra goes about reaching out to someone

(0:15:00) - Jarra’s current work life

(0:19:33) - How Jarra started creating content

(0:22:02) - Jarra’s experience with the Kayo Call Up

(0:25:03) - How Jarra overcomes his fear on LinkedIn

(0:27:46) - How Jarra remains consistent with content

(0:29:43) - How Jarra landed his first brand deal

(0:32:03) - Jarra’s approach to using LinkedIn

(0:40:05) - What did Jarra struggle with whilst job hunting?

(0:43:41) - How Jarra sells himself to employers

(0:54:52) - Jarra’s pitch to Fox Footy

(1:04:23) - How Jarra uses psychology research to improve his content

(1:06:15) - Jarra’s influences

(1:14:07) - What Jarra would do differently if he was Head of Content at the Geelong Cats

(1:16:39) - Jarra’s biggest ‘pinch me’ moment

(1:18:50) - Jarra’s advice for someone with untapped potential

If you like this ep, give these a go next:

#328: TYPEMedia Content Creator | Cheets

#286: GWS Giants Head of Content | Jacob Gaynor

#279: Freelance Videographer | Michael Barker

Want a job in sport? Click here.

Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

Big 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 Uchitha Wijesekara (AKA Cheets), Founder and Content Creator behind TypeMedia.

TypeMedia boasts over 100k followers across Instagram and TikTok, collaborated on posts with Travis Head, and has done brand deals with the AFL, Kayo Sports, Royal Stacks, Toyota and more.

But before before Cheets became a full-time creator, he graduated from a criminology degree and began a career in social work, editing videos in his spare time.

Eventually his skills got good enough that SportsBet hired him, where he spent nearly 4 years travelling to events like the FIFA World Cup, the Ashes, Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India… and creating content along the way.

Now, he’s gone full-time with Type and shares everything that goes into the page you see today.

If you want to work in social media in sport, or just want to understand the content world better, you’re going to love this chat with Cheets.

We Cover:

(03:49) - Interview begins

(05:46) - How did Cheets land his collaboration with the AFL?

(09:06) - Quickfire questions

(18:30) - How Cheets collaborated on a World Cup Final post with Travis Head

(30:32) - How did Cheets turn his social work career into a content creation one?

(36:03) - How Cheets got hired by Sportsbet

(40:51) - Creative process and editing hacks

(51:47) - Challenges with being a creator of colour in the AFL industry

(01:03:12) - Transition from Sportsbet to TYPEMedia full-time

(01:16:48) - What Cheets would do differently if he was a Head of Content at an AFL club

(01:26:00) - What Cheets would do differently if he was starting from scratch in 2025

If you like this ep, give these a go next:

#325: Freelance sports media professional | Brody Burrows

#302: Paris 2024 Content Creator | Stella Barry

#286: GWS Giants Head of Content | Jacob Gaynor

Want a job in sport? Click here.

Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok

Big 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.