Jarrod Wallace

Assistant Analyst, Reserve Team & A-League Men’s Team, Auckland FC / Analyst, U23 Men’s National Team, Football Australia
Bachelor of Business in Management and Leadership & Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management

He loves being fully immersed in football, says Jarrod Wallace who studied business and sport and now splits his time between working at Auckland FC and contracting for Football Australia.

“It had been a long-term goal of mine to be part of a professional sporting set-up. My role focuses on both game preparation and performance review. A large part of my job involves scouting upcoming opponents; reviewing their past matches to identify tactical trends, key behaviours and potential areas we can exploit. I put together detailed reports and video packages to help coaches structure training sessions and inform our game plans. After each match I collaborate with the coaching staff to review our own performance, highlighting our strengths and areas for improvement. Supporting player development of our reserve team players is also a key part of my job.

“I really enjoy the analytical side of the job – working with data and footage to make sense of what’s happening on the field and help the team improve. There’s always something new to learn, and the potential for growth in this field is huge. The job has also given me the chance to travel internationally, which has been an amazing way to experience new cultures and see parts of the world I might not have visited otherwise.”

While he is only in the early stages of his career, he has already had a few career highlights he is especially proud of.

“The first highlight was winning the Premiers Plate with Auckland FC in our inaugural season. That achievement required a huge collective effort over many months, and it was rewarding to know that my scouting and analysis work contributed to supporting the team as we all worked towards this shared goal. The second was being part of Auckland City FC’s campaign at the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco. Playing in front of 50,000 people was an unforgettable experience, and it really opened my eyes to the scale and potential of the football landscape globally. Both moments were incredibly meaningful and have helped shape my professional journey.”

Defining his career path
Jarrod says he developed a strong interest in both business, and sport and recreation when he was in school.

“I was passionate about business and sport, especially subjects like accounting and economics, so choosing a double degree allowed me to keep my options open and explore where I really wanted to take my career. Whether it was in sport management or the broader business world, this combination gave me the flexibility I was looking for.

“One of the biggest highlights of my time at AUT was the hands-on experience I gained throughout the programme. I discovered a passion for performance analysis — something I hadn’t really considered before starting at AUT. That interest really took off when I had the opportunity to undertake a 35-hour workplace experience with Auckland City FC; practical experience that lasted three years. The experience gave me direct exposure to a high-performance sporting environment, which was ultimately the platform that helped define my career path.”

There were a number of staff who made a particular impression on him throughout his time at AUT.

“Associate Professor Richard Wright played a major role in helping me understand the sport and recreation landscape. He was always approachable and offered guidance whenever I had questions, whether it was about academic topics or navigating the wider sport business industry. He also helped me realise how important it is to build networks in the field. Professor Kirsten Spencer was also incredibly influential. She helped me develop a deeper understanding of performance analysis and gave me opportunities to learn how to use tools like Hudl Sportscode. She was always willing to offer help — whether that was answering questions about assignments or providing practical advice for applying analysis in real-world scenarios.”

Advice for other students
Jarrod has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.

“Make the most of every practical opportunity that comes your way. The experience you gain outside the classroom – whether through placements, internships or volunteering – is often what sets you apart.”

Networking is just as important, he adds.

“Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself, ask questions, or attend events. Often, one conversation can lead to your next opportunity.”