As the 2023/24 A-League men’s and women’s seasons kick off, Adelaide United and Flinders University have strengthened their partnership to offer a new Diploma in Sport Business that will give students a pathway into sport business careers.
With the Australian sports industry contributing $14 billion and 128,000 jobs to GDP, the one-year diploma will help students develop an in-depth understanding of the business of sport – from running local sports programs to marketing major teams.
The diploma offers industry placement at Coopers Stadium with insights from Adelaide United guest lecturers, including A-League players and will be delivered at Flinders’ new city campus with regular visits to the stadium.
Launching in 2024, the program will leverage the combined experience of a Flinders curriculum with the on- and off-field success of Adelaide United players and management to help students prepare for careers in the expanding global sports industry.
Successful completion of the diploma will also let students step into the the Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) or Bachelor of Sport and Active Recreation at Flinders’ new city campus with credit for their year of study.
Flinders University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Romy Lawson says the Diploma in Sport Business will give students a valuable, real-world understanding of how the business of sport really works and will help them take their first steps towards an international career.
“Amid the incredible growth in interest around football sparked by the Matildas and Women’s World Cup in Australia, there has never been a better time to roll out this new education program for students passionate about careers in sport with an A-League club or through other sporting codes.”
“This diploma provides the skills to deliver on- and off-field success for community or elite sporting organisations. Adelaide United have competed at the highest level in the AFC Champions League, which attracts millions of fans in Asia and in the A-League, so diploma students will get a real insight into the business operations of a global sports brand.”
Adelaide United Chief Executive Officer, Nathan Kosmina, says Adelaide United and Flinders University have had a great partnership for over four years now, and this new initiative further strengthens the collaboration and pushes the boundaries of what elite sporting clubs and world-class universities can achieve when they work together.
“We have worked closely with Flinders University to bring this program to life, sharing knowledge between sport and management disciplines to give a comprehensive overview into the sporting world and a pathway to a Bachelors degree at Flinders University. “
Studying the final year of the Bachelor of Sport Management at Flinders, Andrea van Metzinger, says her goal is to work with professional and elite athletes at the top of their sports, like the players at Adelaide United.
“Studying Sport Management at Flinders has equipped me with the tools to succeed in many areas of a a sporting organisation, including ethical leadership and diversity goals. I’m confident these skills will serve me tremendously as I now pursue a career I’m deeply passionate about. Sport plays a big role in my life, so why not make it a career.”
For more information on 2024 enrolments, please visit the Diploma webpage.