Sam Casey-Popovich
All Whites and Men’s U20 Performance Analyst, New Zealand Football
Master of Sport, Exercise and Health
Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Coaching
He loves the problem-solving element of his job, says Sam Casey-Popovich who is now a performance analyst for New Zealand Football.
“I really enjoy identifying tactical patterns, tracking structural trends, and translating complex performance data into actionable insights for coaches and players to drive success on the field. I love representing my country on the world stage and being able to help Kiwi footballers be the best they can be.”
His proudest career achievement so far is representing New Zealand at two football world cups.
“I proudly represented New Zealand with the men’s U20 team at the 2025 World Cup in Chile, and with the men’s team at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA and Canada. Representing your country in any capacity is always special, but to be part of the All Whites team that had long awaited being in the world cup again felt truly special and will forever be a highlight of my career.”
A shared passion for sport
As someone who has always loved sport, Sam says deciding to study a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation was easy.
“I chose a degree in sport and recreation because I’ve always enjoyed being around sport in any capacity, and to turn this passion into a career opportunity was incredibly exciting to me. Of the many university open days I went to in high school, AUT immediately distinguished itself through its strong commitment to real-world, practical application. Nearly all of my classes at AUT included practical workshops, which was a highlight as it made the learning more hands-on. But the main highlight for me was connecting with people who shared the same passion for sport and football. This shared enthusiasm fostered a highly supportive environment, making every classroom discussion and collaborative workshop both engaging and insightful.”
There is one staff member whose support he has particularly appreciated.
“Professor Kirsten Spencer was greatly influential in my career path after studying. It was her course on analysing performance that immediately sparked my interest in this field. This pushed me to connect more with my lecturers to find opportunities within the field, and when the Wellington Phoenix reached out for interns, it was Kirsten who recommended me. This was my breakthrough to working in a professional sporting environment.”
Advice for other students
Sam’s advice for other students is simple: connect with your lecturers.
“The lecturers have seen students go from the classroom into the workforce, and, from my experience, they’re always happy to share advice on how to get into your desired career. In building these connections, you also put yourself in the best place for when internships or other opportunities arise.”
Don’t focus too narrowly on a specific field, he adds.
“Another really key piece of advice I was given while at AUT was to be open to chances that may not mirror your exact target. My field is a great example. Analysis was, and still is, an incredibly niche field, even more so if you focus only on one sport. Opportunities will arise in other areas, maybe in a different sport, and different domains of sport. By remaining open to adjacent sports or roles outside your immediate preference, you gain invaluable foot-in-the-door experience. Career progression isn’t linear, so be open to experience that may not be your first choice, but may just be the breakthrough to get you where you want to go.”
