GIS Launches Sydney Campus and Welcomes 2026 Student Cohort

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Image Credit: Global Institute of Sport

Students gain access to elite sporting venues and industry leaders as teaching begins across Sydney’s premier sports precinct.

The Global Institute of Sport (GIS) has officially commenced teaching at its new Sydney campus, welcoming its 2026 student intake following a successful opening week.

The new campus offers students the opportunity to undertake a range of specialised postgraduate programs. These include a Master of International Sports Business and a Master of Sports Analytics. A Combined Master program is also available, designed for students seeking a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary understanding of the global sports industry.

Teaching will be delivered across some of Australia’s most recognised sporting and educational facilities, including Allianz Stadium, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), and the University of Newcastle’s Sydney Campus. The multi-venue learning environment provides students with direct exposure to world-class sporting infrastructure and industry networks.

Students were introduced to the Australian sports industry on their first day through a panel featuring leading professionals. These included, Courtney Pascoe (Competitions and Officials Manager), Matt Pound (General Manager), Thomas Beauchamp (Commercial Partnerships Executive), and Jess Bridger (Account Manager).

 

National recognition

The Sydney campus launch follows the recent GIS Global Sports Summit Australia, which saw students engage with industry stakeholders across both Sydney and Melbourne. The event featured guest speakers from organisations including La Liga and the Rugby World Cup, providing students with valuable networking opportunities and industry insight.

GIS President Sharona Friedman highlighted Sydney’s unique sporting culture and its alignment with the institute’s learning approach.

“Sydney places sport right at its heart. Being based at Allianz Stadium and connected to the SCG places students within a precinct that hosts multiple elite sporting codes. It’s a city where sport is deeply embedded in everyday life,” Friedman said.

Friedman also emphasised Sydney’s broader appeal for students, describing it as a global city offering a strong balance between sporting opportunities, cultural experiences, and lifestyle.

Prospective students interested in studying in Sydney can explore GIS program offerings and student resources via the institute’s official channels.

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Inside GIS’ New Executive Edge Program Driving Sport’s Future Leaders

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Image Credit: Global Institute of Sport

A new executive education program designed to shape the next generation of sports industry leaders is set to launch in June 2026, offering participants a rare blend of academic insight and real-world application at the highest level of global sport.

The Executive Edge in Sport, delivered by Global Institute of Sport (GIS) in partnership with Rotman School of Management Executive Programs, will provide current and aspiring leaders with the tools needed to navigate an increasingly complex and fast-evolving sports landscape.

The seven-week program, Sports Leadership Essentials, is delivered primarily online, offering a flexible and immersive learning experience for professionals worldwide. It is tailored for individuals seeking to strengthen their leadership capabilities within sport, as well as those aiming to transition into senior roles. This includes athletes navigating their post-playing careers.

Led by Sharona Friedman, President and CEO of GIS, and Walid Hejazi, Professor of Economic Analysis and Policy at Rotman, the course combines academic rigour with industry relevance. Participants will engage with key topics shaping modern sport, including leadership and strategy, governance and ethics, finance and revenue models, marketing and fan engagement, event operations, and the growing influence of AI and emerging technologies.

The program also features exclusive masterclasses with senior figures from across the global sports industry, alongside sessions led by leading academics and practitioners from the Rotman School.

For those seeking a more hands-on experience, participants can opt into the Sports Leadership Lab. This is a four-day, in-person summit held at BMO Field in Toronto. Delivered in collaboration with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the lab provides behind-the-scenes access to elite sport operations, bridging theory with practice in a live stadium environment.

As the global sports industry continues to expand and evolve, The Executive Edge in Sport positions itself as a critical pathway for leaders looking to stay ahead. It provides students with the knowledge, network, and perspective required to lead with impact.

Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

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Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

 

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

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