Reuben’s recommendation
What can Ben do?
Give a quick overview of your work experience (jobs, internships, volunteering)?
Member Insights Analyst, GMHBA (Mar 2022–present): Build and maintain forecasting and lapse models in R and SQL, automate reporting, and deliver board-ready insights across brands.
Sports Analytics Experience: Senior Assistant (2023–2025): Doing opposition reviews and coach presentations.
Football Operations Assistant at Carlton FC (2019): Building R pipelines for match data
Recruiting Data Analyst at North Melbourne FC (2016): Creating draft-prospect databases
Game Day Statistician at Coburg, Box Hill and Northern Knights (2015–2016)
Master’s Thesis: Master’s thesis with Dimension Data on cycling team role mix, producing an in-depth analysis and executive presentation.
Do you have a track record of delivering measurable outcomes or KPIs?
Forecasts that drive budgets: Built and maintained board-facing membership forecasts for BP cycles (BP25–27, BP26–28), keeping variance within tight internal tolerances at portfolio level and enabling timely budget decisions.
Hours back to the business: Replaced manual spreadsheet workflows with reproducible R/SQL pipelines, cutting monthly prep from hours to a quick rerun (typically under 30 minutes) and reducing error risk.
What technical or industry-specific skills do you bring?
Performance data pipelines: Clean, join, and model event data.
Build reproducible R and SQL workflows to automate post-game and weekly reporting.
Match and opposition analysis: Code games, extract trends, and produce coach-ready insights.
Experience with Champion Data, Premier Data and live match support.
Recruitment and list analysis: Build and maintain player databases, create prospect profiles, and run simple models for role fit and list balance.
Time-series and predictive methods: Forecasting, segmentation, and classification using R (tidyverse, fable/ARIMA).
Reporting and communication: Coach-facing one-pagers and board-ready summaries
Capable in Excel and developing in Power BI.
What tools/platforms/software are they proficient in?
Analytics & Coding: R, SQL BI & Reporting: Excel, Power BI.
Databases & Cloud: SQL Server/SSMS, Azure (developing)
Sports & Performance: Catapult (L1 & L2 accredited), Champion Data, Premier Data
What qualifications, certifications, or degrees do you hold?
Degrees: Master of Actuarial Studies — Monash University (2021)
Master of Sports (Data) Analytics — La Trobe University (2018)
Bachelor of Science (Statistics) — RMIT University (2016)
Certifications: Catapult Level 1 and Level 2 Accreditation Tableau course (Lynda)
I bring a wide mix of experiences and thinking, from business grade forecasting and R SQL pipelines at GMHBA to on ground roles in football programs.
I bring a wide mix of experiences and thinking, from business grade forecasting and R SQL pipelines at GMHBA to on ground roles in football programs. That variety allows me to adapt and translate analysis findings to suit many different stakeholders. I’m genuinely passionate about sport and I want to bring that energy into a professional program.
What steps has Ben taken to break into the sports industry?
I previously built experience inside football programs as Senior Assistant at Woodend-Hesket FNC, Football Operations Assistant at Carlton FC, and a Recruiting Data Analyst placement at North Melbourne FC. While those roles were a few years ago, my current work as a Member Insights Analyst has sharpened my R and SQL pipelines, forecasting, and clear stakeholder communication, giving me a broader and more diverse analytical toolkit. I’m keen on bringing that mix of sports context and business-grade analytics back into the industry.
Why do you want to work in the sports industry?
I’ve always loved sport, especially AFL, and that interest has grown across many codes. I really enjoy the feeling of being part of a team, whether you’re on the field or on staff. Pairing that environment with my other strength, turning data and statistics into clear, useful insights, is where I get the most satisfaction because it lets me use data to make a positive impact on decisions and results.
Where does Ben want to go?
Next 6-12 months | Next 5-10 years |
|---|---|
Over the next 6–12 months, my goal is to secure a sports analytics role with a professional team or organisation. I want to use my R, SQL, and match-analysis skillset to turn data into clear insights. | In 5 to 10 years, I want to lead a performance analytics team in a professional club or sporting related organisation. My aim is to progress into a Head of Analytics role, setting the vision and standards for how data is utilised. |
What sporting problem keeps Ben up at night, and how would you solve it?
I want to close the gap between analytics and the people who use it day to day, coaches, athletes, and staff, so good analysis actually changes and improves training, selection, and tactics. The focus is simple, accessible outputs and analysis that get used every week, not just dashboards. I’d like to bring more of the American-style buy-in to Australia.
What is Ben like?
What kind of environment do you thrive in?
I feel I thrive best in a purpose-driven work environment. Being around people who are also driven and energetic is something I feed off.
When have you had to show resilience in your life or career?
After completing my Master of Sports Analytics in 2018, I was set on building a career in sport. When COVID hit, the roles I was qualified for dried up, so I pivoted, upskilled in actuarial studies, and rebuilt my profile in the non-sport market. It took sustained resilience to change direction, keep learning, and turn that period into a step forward rather than a setback.
What about Ben’s interests outside of work?
What are your interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I’ll watch pretty much any sport.
In winter, I’m around local footy as much as I can, and I like to keep active with running and riding.
When it warms up, I’m outside in the garden and on the mower.
What is your favourite sporting moment?
I'm a Sydney Swans fan, so being able to be at the drought-breaking 2005 Grand Final will be very difficult to top.
What’s your ideal holiday?
My ideal holiday is something that is laid back in the sun and warmth. Needs to include a beach or a pool.
If you had 30 minutes to pick the brain of anyone, who would it be and why?
Steve Kerr has a rare mix of experiences, from player to coach, across different eras and teams. I’d pick his brain about which experiences shaped his beliefs most, and how he builds trust and role clarity with players while still embracing new ideas and data.
What’s book or podcast that’s helped your career you recommend?
I’ve found The Diary of a CEO book and podcast really valuable for learning new ideas and practical career techniques. Most importantly, it’s pushed me to prioritise simple communication and clear presentation of analysis so it drives action.
Additional details
Where in the world are you located, and where are you open to work?
Living in Melbourne, but open to work anywhere in Australia.
What is the most important consideration for you in your next role?
Professional Development Opportunities Supportive & Forward-Thinking Workplace Salary.
What questions does Ben have for employers?
How do you support growth for employees (mentoring, courses, conferences), and what does a strong career path look like for those roles?
What does success in the first year look like for this role, and which quick wins would matter most to you and the organisation?
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