Explore your career in Sports Management

Sprint into the business of sport.

Sport is a serious business. In the world of sports management, you'll discover rewarding careers that require leadership, marketing, finance, strategy, and digital skills. Imagine yourself as a talent agent, sports administrator, or sportswriter - all exciting, varied careers.

Perhaps you could be managing sporting professionals, community sport programs and clubs, or shaping the game behind-the-scenes, project managing high-profile events, developing grassroots community programs, or running a sports club. You'll find unlimited opportunities to flourish in a growing industry, where the grass really is greener.

What does a career in Sports Management look like?

Imagine turning your passion for sport into a career. Fancy yourself as a talent agent? You'll spend your days searching for tomorrow's sporting stars. As a player agent, you'll prepare and negotiate player's contracts and provide legal and financial advice. You'd likely have a double degree, bringing your knowledge of Law, Finance and Sports Management into the mix.

As a sports manager, you'll promote sporting activities and develop policies for your organisation. If you're a sports administrator, you'll spend your days networking with the sporting community to recruit coaches, umpires and other officials. It's a promising, fast-paced sector where you can focus on your strengths to create your own career path.

Earn good money

_{Enjoy excellent remuneration, with the average weekly wage for a sports administrator being around $2600 per week.*}

^{*Source: Labour Market Insights}

Enjoy job growth

_{Take advantage of a projected 17.7% future job growth for sports centre management roles.**}

^{**Source: Labour Market Insights}

Work across industries

_{As a sports administrator, you’ll work across diverse industries such as professional services, health care, and arts/recreation.}

^{*Source: Labour Market Insights}

Study options

Diploma in Sports Management

Bachelor of Business (Sports Management)*

Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Activity (Honours)

Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching

Master of Business Administration (Business Analytics)*

*Available at Festival Plaza from 2024.

Study at our new city campus in 2024.
Flinders at Festival Plaza – Where potential meets possibility.

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Potential occupations

Sprint into an exciting industry rich in opportunity, strong job growth and excellent prospects. Expand your skills and career options by following up your Bachelor of Business (Sports Management) with a Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching.

Top ten sports manager jobs

professional sports coach
venue operations manager
community program manager
talent agent
official, umpire or referee
premier league coach
sports administrator
player agent
health and wellbeing manager
sports journalist

Potential employers

Take your finely-honed strategic, marketing and digital leadership skills across industries by leveraging Flinders’ national contacts in sporting clubs, governing bodies, and community groups.

If you study our Diploma in Sports Management based at Alberton Oval you'll enjoy 100+ hours training with Port Adelaide players, management and staff. As a successful graduate, you could be offered employment with the Port Adelaide Football Club.

Industry placement

Graduate future-ready for tomorrow’s workforce with our Work Integrated Learning and industry placement programs. Flinders' strong industry ties connect you to industry leaders, including prestige brands and professional bodies across all sectors.  

No.1 in SA

in Business & Management for learning resources and overall educational experiences.

(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only)

Five stars
in Business & Management for learning resources.

(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)

No.1 in SA
in Law & Paralegal Studies
for skills development and student support.

(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)

Why study Sports Management at Flinders?

Tailor your studies

Our Flinders Innovation and Enterprise electives allow you to tailor the Sports Management degree to suit your career goals. These optional subjects empower you to develop transferable skills like leadership, creativity, teamwork and resilience.

Enjoy flexible study options

Expect a world-class learning experience at Flinders University or Alberton Oval (Port Adelaide Institute of Sport) depending on your choice of studies.

Learn at the Port Adelaide Institute of Sport

Our Diploma in Sports Management will have you learning the ropes at Alberton Oval alongside Port Adelaide players, management and staff.

Future-proof your career

Graduate ahead of the game with future-forward skills taught by Australia’s leading academics and sports management professionals.

Connect with industry leaders

Get real-world experience and develop networks through Work Integrated Learning and industry placement programs.

Hear from our students

“

The flexible learning style of engaging online lectures allows me to work (while studying) and gain experience within the sports industry.

Heath Wingard, Bachelor of Business (Sports Management)

”

Get inspired

Discover Sports Management

In this video, Associate Lecturer Daniel Padovan talks about how Sports Management at Flinders opens doors to dynamic careers.

Watch video

Five inspiring jobs in sports management

Did you know you can turn your passion for sport into a career by studying Sports Management? Check out these five careers in an industry where the grass really is greener.

Business for a Better World

Make a difference by studying with Flinders Business.

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Study at the Port Adelaide Institute of Sport

Discover the Diploma in Sports Management powered by Flinders University at the Port Adelaide Institute of Sport.

Watch video

Teaching & professional staff

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to industry.

Associate Lecturer, College of Business, Government and Law: Daniel Padovan

Daniel Padovan holds a Bachelor of Management Honours, a Double Degree (Bachelor of Management and Bachelor of Marketing) and a PhD in Management currently under final examination.

As Coordinator for the Bachelor of Business (Sports Management), Daniel is also involved in the delivery of the Diploma in Sports Management, exclusively housed in the Port Adelaide Institute of Sport at Alberton Oval.

Work Integrated Learning Coordinator: Ms Kahlene Michalenny

Kahlene Michalanney has a Bachelor of Business (Management) from Flinders University where she learned first-hand the value of undertaking a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement. Kahlene's WIL experience saw her transition from student to working professional with her WIL employer in her final study year.

Kahlene is passionate about supporting current students to have valuable WIL experiences within the College of Business, Government & Law.

Frequently asked questions

What are the entry requirements for sports management?

Check out the Flinders University Handbook and search for the sports management course you’re interested in.

What does a Sports Manager get paid?

A sports management career can pay very well. According to Labour Market Insights a Sports Administrator in Australia earns around $2600 per week.*

*Source: Labour Market Insights

Is sports management a good career?

A Sports Management degree can lead to many different careers. In such a thriving sector, the biggest decision will be whether you'd prefer to focus on the business side of the industry or be directly involved with coaching sports professionals.

What does a Player Agent do?

A Player Agent represents a sports professional. They are responsible for negotiating the player's contract, offering legal and financial advice, securing endorsement and sponsorship deals, and managing media appearances. The ability to build deep connections within the corporate sector and sporting community is vital to success in this role.

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Enquire now

Phone: 1300 354 633

Email: askflinders@flinders.edu.au

Request a one-on-one appointment

Explore your career in

Sports Management.

Explore your career in

Sports Management.

Sprint into the business of sport.

What does a career in Sports Management look like?

Earn good money

_{Enjoy excellent remuneration, with the average weekly wage for a sports administrator being around $2600 per week.*}

Enjoy job growth

_{Take advantage of a projected 17.7% future job growth for sports centre management roles.**}

Work across industries

_{As a sports administrator, you’ll work across diverse industries such as professional services, health care, and arts/recreation.}

Study options

Study at our new city campus in 2024.
Flinders at Festival Plaza – Where potential meets possibility.

Study at our new city campus in 2024.
Flinders at Festival Plaza – Where potential meets possibility.