Last year we launched the Diploma in Sports Management (Cricket) with our partners at Flinders University. Currently our inaugural batch of students are hard at work as they climb towards the business end of their study.
Each student came into the course at a different point of their educational journey, for some it was a steppingstone to further education, for others an eye-catching qualification on a future resume, whilst a select few have used the course to fulfill their burning desire to work in professional sport.
With applications currently open for the second intake of students, we sat down with our aspiring graduates to learn more about how the course has impacted them.
For Riley Brook, the diploma is allowing him to get an understanding on what higher learning can look like, and to experience some special moments.
‘I came out of school and didn't want to do a full Uni degree. So, I found the one-year diploma to be a great taste tester to get my feet in the water and just test it out’ said Riley.
‘My standout moment for this course has to be the BBL placement that we got to do. Strikers v Sixers, 40,000 people and we got to do an innings break activation on the middle of Adelaide Oval’
Riley’s classmate Olivia Turner is using the diploma to add to her current studies and learn what a career in sport looks like for her career path.
‘I'd kind of half started a law and politics degree and was really interested in expanding my horizons’ said Olivia.
‘Having access to some key people in SACA like the in-house counsel, has been important in understanding what a career would look like in sport’
For many of the students, the highlight of the diploma has been the access to industry professionals during match days and in the planning stages leading up to key events.
Our students were given the opportunity to help assist with events like Adelaide Strikers matches, the Sheffield Shield Final, and SACA run community cricket competitions.
Adam Hinkley reflected on his role in helping to run the SACA Aboriginal Cup while on placement.
‘Standout moment for me was on placement I got the opportunity to work with Aboriginal communities to host an event called the Aboriginal Cup. It was great. I got insights to help me to understand how the events side of SACA works’ Adam said.
Adam’s classmate Thisama Kottahachchi got to be up close and personal during a WBBL match.
‘One of my favourite moments were the WBBL games and the Shield Final. I got to go on-ground and watch the coin toss quite literally about 5 meters away from it. It’s just so cool to see all the behind the scenes that went into broadcasting.’ Thisama said.
Having Adelaide Oval as your classroom was itself was a lure for many die-hard sports fans, who will use this course to jump-start their career in the sports industry.
Alex Edwards explained that he chose this course specifically due to the reach and opportunities that exist within cricket.
‘I chose the cricket focus programme because cricket is such a worldwide game, I felt it could open more potential avenues for career paths after completion’ Edwards said.
‘This course is a great starting point for anyone who's passionate about joining the sports industry’
As the diploma reaches its end, our students are learning from and engaging with departments they had never considered before, experiencing what goes on behind the scenes to ensure our major matches and events run smoothly.
Thisama is one student benefiting from a simulation placement, tasked with working in a group to plan and execute their own event.
‘A lot of important stuff came from a simulation placement where we are working in a big group. It was really important as I took on the team manager role to delegate everyone roles that they enjoyed doing and making sure that everyone was having fun while doing it’ Thisama said.
‘It's also the perfect opportunity for someone to get a feel for different aspects of sports management.'
Our next intake of students will begin their diploma in September this year, with applications now open through Flinders University.
Applications are now open:
CLICK HERE