Graduates from the inaugural cohort of the new Diploma in Sport Management program, delivered by Adelaide University and the Adelaide Crows Institute of Sports Business, have secured full-time roles with the Adelaide Football Club.
The education initiative was established to provide students with a direct pathway into the sports industry through a combination of academic study and hands-on experience within an elite sporting environment.
From the initial cohort, seven graduates of the one-year program have secured employment opportunities at the AFC, and others in sporting roles in South Australia.
Graduates Oscar Laidlaw and Tyas Humphreys secured full-time roles with the Crows, winning positions offered to each graduating class from the Diploma.
Further graduates and current students have taken on casual positions across the Club's Community and Membership teams, having built strong connections and experience during their Diploma placements.
The employment outcomes highlight the program's ability to translate learning into meaningful career opportunities and reinforce its role in building the next generation of sports industry professionals in South Australia.
Students undertake their studies primarily at the Crows’ headquarters at West Lakes, combining classroom learning with practical industry experience through placements across match days, community programs, membership, events and club operations.
Throughout the program, students gain firsthand exposure to the business of sport, learning from industry professionals while developing practical skills in areas including sports business operations, marketing, sponsorship, leadership, commercial and athlete performance.
Crows CEO Tim Silvers said the first graduating class represented an important milestone for the Institute and the Club's broader vision for developing sport industry talent.
"Seeing our first cohort graduate and move directly into employment opportunities is exactly the outcome we hoped to achieve when establishing the program,” Silvers said.
"The Diploma provides a unique opportunity to learn within a professional sporting environment, while developing practical skills and experience which can make our students industry-ready.
"We’re committed to ensuring the program grows and becomes a genuine talent factory for the sports industry, particularly here in South Australia, but interstate as well."
The Diploma was launched to provide students with foundational knowledge and practical experience for careers across the sport sector, while also offering a pathway into the second year of a Bachelor of Business majoring in Sport Management at Adelaide University.
“Sport and sports management is a fast-growing field globally and across Australia,” said Professor Andrew Beer, Dean of Adelaide University’s School of Management.
“Adelaide University has a long track record in supporting this industry, and we are immensely proud to be working alongside the Adelaide Crows to pioneer exciting new pathways into sports careers.
“The University’s School of Management takes great pride in the ability of our students to move into careers they aspire to, and this Diploma meets the needs of many within the South Australian community.”
Graduate Oscar Laidlaw said studying inside a professional sporting club provided invaluable insights into the industry.
"The opportunity to learn from people working across different areas of the Club and gain real-world experience through placements gave me a much clearer understanding of how the industry operates," Laidlaw said.
"The hands-on experience allowed me to develop relationships across the organisation, which ultimately helped me take the next step into full-time employment."
Graduate Tyas Humphreys said the program exceeded expectations.
"Being involved in match days, community programs and day-to-day club operations gave us experiences you can't replicate in a traditional classroom environment," Humphreys said.
"The networks, practical skills and industry exposure made a significant difference."
The Institute is also committed to creating more accessible pathways into the sport industry through initiatives such as the Kuwarna First Nations Scholarship, which covers the full cost of the Diploma for one eligible Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student each year.
Applications to study the Diploma in Sport Management in 2027 are now open for students who have completed (or are currently completing) SACE or have completed a Cert III and above to apply: Adelaide Crows Institute of Sports Business.
The Diploma is a one-year, full-time program, combining study in the business of sport with 120 placement hours across the Club and its partners. No ATAR is required for entry.
Any questions about the Diploma can be directed to study@afc.com.au