Geelong Cats, Cricket Australia, and now GIS: Student Gives Advice on Breaking into the Sports Industry

To make a sporting event happen, players don’t simply turn up and play.

Behind the scenes, it’s the events, logistics and operations teams responsible for making sure everything goes as planned, so that fans can watch the sports they love.

In Australia, cricket and Australian rules are two of the biggest sports, two sports which GIS student Paige Sutherland has multiple years of experience in across a variety of positions.

Having worked for AFL side Geelong Cats, Cricket Australia, and now Northern Territory Cricket, Paige’s roles span Sports Trainer to Events Manager, and speaking to GIS, spoke to GIS about her career, her studies, and valuable advice for other students.

To begin, we asked Paige to recall some of her proudest moments so far:

“Being part of an AFL Premiership in 2022 in my team operations and logistics role at Geelong Football Club stood out,” she said, having worked behind the scenes on the team’s first premiership in 11 years.

“Leading a community engagement event which drew thousands of Darwin cricket fans to meet and greet the Australian Men’s T20 team on just three weeks’ notice is another, but most importantly, reflecting on my personal and professional growth over the past decade since high school—I’ve had incredible experiences and opportunities in the sports industry, and I can look back and feel truly proud.”

The unifying aspect of sport is originally what attracted Paige to it in the first place, noting its power to bring communities together as the root of her passion.

“Growing up,” she said, “I loved the energy of live events, the teamwork involved, and how sport can drive positive change. That combination of excitement, connection, and impact is what

drew me in and keeps me motivated.”

Now working as an Events Manager in the Northern Territory’s governing body for cricket, Paige has been able to turn her passion into a living, an opportunity she said came through networking. 

Working full-time, Paige began studying part-time on our MSc International Sport Management programme in 2024. 

This combination of study and work is something many aspiring sports professionals consider when deciding on if they want to study. Paige, having done so for two years, spoke on her experience and how she has managed it, underlining the ability to apply classroom concepts to current work as, “motivating rather than overwhelming.”

“It’s definitely a juggling act, but the flexibility of my GIS program makes it manageable, it’s built for working professionals, with online delivery, recorded sessions, and self-paced elements.

“I rely on time-blocking: focused work hours during the day for my full-time role, then evenings or weekends for study. Strong planning, team support, and being willing to request extensions during major events have been essential.”

Industry focus, global perspective, and a reputation for boosting careers in sport are reasons Paige gave as to why she chose GIS to study a postgraduate degree, further referencing “expert lecturers with real-world experience, and the online/distance format was ideal for someone in a full-time job. 

“I wanted a qualification that truly bridges theory and practice in international sport management, and GIS’s rankings, partnerships, and practical approach gave me confidence it would support my growth effectively.”

In particular, Paige mentioned modules on event management, digital marketing, and governance as topics that have aligned with her day-to-day work, also recommending the GIS Global Sport Summits, which she attended earlier this year.

Finally, Paige leaned on her years of working in sport to provide some valuable advice to any students wanting to break into the sports industry.

“Get practical experience early – volunteer, intern, or take entry-level roles. Network relentlessly, build a portfolio of your involvement, and demonstrate passion combined with reliability. 

“Be adaptable, opportunities often come from persistence and being willing to start small.

“Finally, choose education that aligns with real industry needs and apply what you learn immediately, it sets you apart. The sports industry rewards enthusiasm backed by solid, transferable skills!”

To learn more about the programme Paige is studying, visit the course page, and to learn about our other available options, explore our course offerings.

Article by Zakaria Anani