John Kleeman grew up dreaming of working for his favourite footy team, Port Adelaide Football Club (PAFC) – and after graduating with a Diploma in Sports Management, it’s a dream he has turned into reality.
In February this year, the young South Australian joined 37 inaugural graduates receiving their diplomas at a special ceremony at the new state-of-the-art Alberton Oval precinct – an event that marked the first official steps of his career journey.
For Mr Kleeman, using the knowledge gained from the year-long course has created a powerful springboard into hands-on work in the industry.
As a student, he worked at the Port Store. Today, as a graduate, he is a commercial coordinator with Port Adelaide.
Mr Kleeman told EducationDaily that his new sports administration role will help foster opportunities to work with the club’s key corporate partners and build relationships that benefit its 64,000-strong membership.
“I’ve barracked for Port Adelaide from a young age and this new professional role with the club really is a dream come true,” he says.
Studying the diploma has transformed into the opportunity of a lifetime to make a real contribution with my boyhood club. I look forward to learning about the operations of the club and contributing to its overall success in the AFL.”
Diploma provides a solid stepping stone
The graduating students were supported by Port Adelaide Captain Tom Jonas on their special day, having spent the past year embedded with the club’s staff and management at the Port Adelaide Academy of Sport.
The academy is a joint initiative between Flinders University and the Port Adelaide Football Club which offers a unique pathway for students with a passion for AFL and sports. The inaugural graduates have developed business and management skills to help them transition into careers in Australia’s growing sporting industries.
Twelve graduates from this first 2023 cohort have chosen to take their tertiary education further to embrace pathways unique to the diploma by enrolling in bachelor’s degrees in business, sport and education at Flinders University.
Educating a new generation of sports industry professionals
In 2024, with 63 students about to embark on their own educational and career journey at the academy, the collaboration with PAFC reflects Flinders University’s commitment to provide students with learning opportunities that inspire them. This includes unprecedented access to the club’s professional knowledge and facilities when studying a first-of-its-kind sport education pathway in South Australia.
Flinders University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) Professor Romy Lawson described the diploma graduation ceremony is an important milestone for students, marking their achievements and future prospects in the Australian sports industry.
“Underpinned by the quality pedigree of a Flinders University curriculum, our inaugural graduates have gained valuable sports industry experience and applied themselves across both the men’s and women’s programs, through 100 hours of hands-on work experience with the Port Adelaide Football Club,” he said.
“Since its inception, this curriculum has been developed to foster work integrated learning opportunities at the highest AFL level.”
The graduates, said Professor Lawson, have taken knowledge learnt in the classroom and applied it on game days and throughout the season to develop their marketing, event and sport management skills.
“We know there is no better way to learn than by applying new skills in a real-world setting. Flinders congratulates all our graduates on their successful journey.”
Preparing for a high-performance career
Every day spent in a job he loves, says Mr Kleeman, is a privilege he is grateful to experience – and he told EducationDaily that he has the practical focus of the course curriculum to thank for the opportunity.
“Gaining real-world insights into the running of an AFL club was really important,” he says.
“The diploma also gives you a better understanding of the way large sporting organisations operate – and the different parts different people play in their success.”
It’s a reminder, he says, that the sports industry is home to a diverse range of career pathways that extend beyond the football field on game day.
“Being embedded with the club and completing our studies while working with the staff and management of the club makes you feel like you’re a valuable part of it,” Mr Kleeman told EducationDaily.
“I’m not sure where exactly I’ll end up. The sports sector is growing bigger in Australia – but internationally as well. There are so many options to explore.”
