Just out of school, I had aspirations of working in athlete management. I remember telling anyone who listened, that I was going to manage athletes for a living, “just you watch” I said. No one believed me and I don’t blame them. Getting into sports management seemed a million miles away at the time.
Fast track to 2010 and I can say I got there. In fact it was nearly 8 years ago that I took the management reins of my first client. Since that time, I’ve been involved in the personal management of Australia’s biggest sporting stars including Ian Thorpe, Leisel Jones, Libby Trickett, Alisa Camplin, Cadel Evans, John Aloisi, Lucas Neill, Mark Bresciano, Vince Grella, Brett Emerton, Torah Bright, Matthew Mitcham, Marcos Ambrose, Matt Hall, Geoff Huegill and more recently Shane Watson plus many more.
It’s been an incredible ride with some amazing memories. A time in my life that I’ll never forget.
I’ve worked across major areas of business including client management, public relations and sponsorship sales and servicing. I’ve been there for two Olympic Games, two Commonwealth Games, three World Championships, countless National Titles, and the biggest sporting events to grace our shores.
I’ve experienced the personal highs and lows of my client’s careers, the controversies, the revelations and the feel good stories. I’ve managed the delicate relationships with athlete family members, coaches, sponsorship managers, fans, club officials, and every single major news outlet in the country. I’ve witnessed the money and politics that drive sport behind closed doors, I’ve had special access to sponsors’ products and a free ride to the best seats in the house. I’ve attended countless VIP events, stayed a lot of hotels, travelled business class and enjoyed the over-the-top hospitality that celebrity attracts. I’ve had parties, dinners, dates and weekends interrupted at all hours of the day by journalists chasing a story. I’ve even felt the adrenaline and pride of cheering home a client in a packed stadium (a special feeling). But none of these experiences matches the amazing close friendships I’ve formed with the people around me such as the athletes, business contacts and my teammates – the staff alongside me.
I’m telling you all this because today is my last day as an athlete manager.
In order to be the best administrator in Australian sport I need to seek a new challenge, one that is going to further challenge me and grow my credentials. From next week I begin work with one of Australia’s best institutions for producing the sporting superstars of tomorrow. It’s an exciting next step and one I’m really looking forward to.
I started this blog to share my knowledge of an industry few really get to experience. I really hope readers have benefited from the insights.
I will endeavour to keep posting (quality over quantity) content on this blog but for now I need a little space to settle into a new role.
Let’s meet again soon.






