Sports Advisory Partners Australia (SAPA) has launched SAPA Tech & Innovation, a dedicated practice helping sporting organisations make better technology decisions, enhance their use of data, strengthen capability and get greater value from their investment.
The new practice combines system-wide technology experience with a practical understanding of how sporting organisations operate. SAPA Tech & Innovation will support organisations to connect technology investment with their strategic, commercial, operational and performance priorities.
SAPA Tech & Innovation is led by Dean Cleary, Head of Tech & Innovation. Dean brings more than 25 years of executive technology leadership, business development and C-suite experience across financial services, alongside 15 years in AFL coaching and sports administration.
Dean specialises in helping organisations simplify complexity, build internal capability and deliver transformation through data, digital and emerging technology.
Sam Chadwick, Co-Executive Director of SAPA, said the growing intersection between technology and sport created a clear need for the new practice.
“The intersection of technology and sport has never been more significant. Dean brings a level of technology expertise rarely accessible to sporting organisations, delivered through an outsourced model at a fraction of the cost of a full-time executive appointment. “Organisations that leverage this kind of know-how will set themselves apart.”
Dean said the practice would help sporting organisations connect technology investment with stronger organisational outcomes.
“Sporting organisations are investing in technology across almost every part of their operations. The challenge is ensuring those investments are guided by a clear strategy, supported by the right capability and implemented in a way that delivers lasting value. SAPA Tech & Innovation will help organisations understand their needs, set clear priorities and put the right systems, platforms and processes in place. Our focus is not technology for its own sake; it is using technology as an enabler to support the organisation’s broader objectives.”
The practice will provide advice and delivery support across:
- technology strategy, roadmaps and leadership, including fractional technology and security leadership;
- procurement and vendor advisory;
- systems and platforms;
- data, artificial intelligence and insights;
- high-performance technology;
- change and delivery;
- security, risk and compliance;
- cost and operational effectiveness;
- commercial partnerships; and
- major-event technology and readiness.
The practice will offer independent, vendor-agnostic advice and delivery capability to sporting organisations of different sizes and levels of technology maturity. Its services include access to senior technology leadership for organisations that need strategic expertise without employing a full-time Chief Technology Officer.
SAPA Tech & Innovation has already begun working with some of Australia’s leading sporting organisations.
Dean recently facilitated a digital roadmap workshop for Gymnastics Australia, bringing together its Board and State and Territory Associations to consider how technology could support the sport’s priorities. SAPA is now supporting a Capability, Development & Growth Audit and the development of a national Digital Roadmap aligned with Gymnastics Australia’s Inspire 2032 strategy.
Ian Prendergast, Co-Executive Director of SAPA, said Dean’s practical approach and understanding of sport were central to the new practice.
“Dean brings extensive executive technology experience and a genuine understanding of sport and the environments in which sporting organisations operate. “His practical approach strengthens SAPA’s ability to support organisations as they make important technology decisions and build the capability required for sustainable growth.”
About SAPA Tech & Innovation
SAPA Tech & Innovation helps sporting organisations turn technology investment into stronger organisational capability. The practice provides independent advice and delivery support across strategy, systems, data and AI, digital transformation, high-performance technology, security and risk, commercial partnerships and major-event readiness.