"The course is a great way to learn and acquire knowledge. It's a great blend of theory with practical case studies delivered by an outstanding group of academics and respected sport industry professionals." That was the summation of Brian Thorburn, General Manager of the Australian Rugby Union after attending SKA's inaugural Executive Sport Management Programme held late last year.

Equally complimentary were attendees from organisations such as the Sports Authority of India, the Commonwealth Bank Centre of Excellence in Cricket, the Richmond Tigers AFL club, the International Cricket Council and the Singapore Sports Council.

From 15-20 October this year at Sydney Olympic Park, Thorburn will be among a high profile list of industry identities - this time presenting the course - in concert with other leading industry practitioners and noted academics from universities around Australia.

Joining Thorburn as industry presenters are David Gallop, the National Rugby League CEO, Steve Tew, Deputy CEO of New Zealand Rugby and David Howman, Director General of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Heading the academic "dream team" is Professor David Shilbury, the Foundation Chair of Sport Management at Deakin University and Foundation President of the Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand. He joins among others, Professor Kristine Toohey of Griffith University and Adjunct Professor Sue Halbwirth of University Technology Sydney who are world renowned leaders in Knowledge Management and Associate Professor Braham Dabscheck of the University of NSW - a former consultant to the International Federation of Professional Footballers Associations whose research interests include industrial relations in professional sport.

Of particular interest to course attendees will be the specially commissioned case studies which have proven to be a popular and unique feature of our intensive live-in courses.

One of the studies examines the amazing success of Country Racing Victoria (CRV). It focuses on how the CRV evolved to achieve its ambitions in an environment where other states were struggling to maintain a viable country race calendar - forcing the closure of many racetracks.

Dr Russell Hoye, of LaTrobe University, who co-authored the study with Dr Matthew Nicholson from Victoria University, talks about the organisation's achievements, "The CRV has delivered sustained business improvements over the last six years," says Hoye.

"This success can be attributed to a strategic change management process based on a detailed analysis of the racing industry and an industry wide strategic plan."

"Our case study will provide Executive Sport Management students with the opportunity to assess the previous performance of CRV, develop strategies to improve performance and then compare these with the actual plans and results over the last five years."

The Executive Sport Management Programme is designed to take Chief Executives to a superior level of knowledge and practice or to prepare a senior management team member to take the next step to the role of Chief Executive. It will focus on providing senior executives with the most recent sport management knowledge and skills that will enhance their leadership capabilities, make more effective their communications, and advance and refine their negotiation and marketing skills.

Please click here for more info on the Executive Sport Management Programme.