Athlete Management And Representation

This subject is available under ICMS undergraduate degrees, please click the button below to find an undergraduate course for you.

Subject Code:

SPO301A/SPO301B

Subject Rationale:

SPO301A

High performance sport operates in an increasingly complex legal, social, political and technological environment. Given the ever-increasing demands placed on high performance athletes today, managers require the appropriate professional skills, knowledge, and experience to support these athletes during their playing careers and in periods of transition, including extensive understanding of the legal and social frameworks and systems required to maximise playing talent and career transition.

This subject will provide students with a critical understanding of the management and coordination of athlete talent within the Australian sport system. An underlying theme of the subject is the management of sport careers and also support for transition into retirement, and cessation of life as a professional or high-performance athlete.

Students will also develop an understanding of dual career management and the policies, programs, processes and structures that influence athlete performance, personal development, and transition. Key considerations include the management of personal branding, financial literacy, well-being and behaviour, communication and social media strategies.

SPO301B

High-performance sport operates within an increasingly complex legal, social, political and technological landscape, requiring effective management strategies to support elite athletes throughout their careers. With growing demands on athletes, managers must develop specialised skills and expertise to navigate contract negotiations, governance structures and career transitions. A strong understanding of legal frameworks, collective agreements and social policies is essential in ensuring athlete well-being and long-term professional sustainability.

This subject provides a comprehensive analysis of athlete management and representation within the Australian sports system, focusing on career development, contract negotiation and transition planning. A key emphasis is placed on dual career management, exploring the programs, policies and support mechanisms that impact an athlete’s performance, personal development and life beyond sport. Topics such as personal branding, financial literacy, well-being, behaviour management and social media strategies are integrated to equip students with the necessary tools for athlete representation.

A defining feature of Australian sport governance is the operation of not-for-profit leagues and member-based clubs which rely on salary caps and, in some cases, draft systems -a stark contrast to the privately owned franchises in the United States and different contractual models in European sports. This subject critically examines how these distinctive employment structures shape athlete representation, contract negotiations and career pathways, ensuring students develop a strategic and applied understanding of athlete management within Australia’s unique sports governance framework.

Learning Outcomes:

SPO301A

a) Critically assess the place of athlete management and representation in the contemporary sport context and theories.
b) Determine how best to manage an athlete’s health, education, social life and brand in the global sports industry.
c) Critically reflect upon the most appropriate skills required in athlete management and representation at specific stages of the athlete development pathway.
d) Rationalise effective interpersonal communication skills, presentation skills, and personal capabilities, suited for a career in athlete talent management.

SPO301B

a) Critically assess athlete management and representation, focusing on theories, governance structures and legal frameworks shaping career development and transitions
b) Evaluate best practices in managing an athlete’s health, education, social life and brand in the global sports industry
c) Critically reflect on key skills for athlete management at different career stages, ensuring long-term success in high-performance and post-sport transitions
d) Rationalise effective interpersonal communication skills, negotiation skills, presentation skills and professional capabilities, suited for a career in athlete talent management.

Student Assessment:

Note: (G) = Group assessment