In this feature, Joe Dale, Head of Commercial at The Wave, an official partner of NextGen, gives a unique insight into his experience of the programme from the standpoint of applicant, leader and sponsor.
“No-one cares more about your own development than you do”
A piece of advice from a former boss that echoes around my head whenever I’m thinking about whether an opportunity in front of me is one I should take. In almost all cases, the answer is ‘yes’ and applying for Sport Industry NextGen was one of the best decisions I’ve made personally and professionally.
I was introduced to Sport Industry NextGen by a senior colleague while I was at the England and Wales Cricket Board. She remains a great friend and mentor and was my internal reference and must have written something nice.
Tip 1 – Pick references who know you and care about your development (close to as much as you do) so their words are authentic. Your internal one will likely be supporting your time out of office so good to have their buy in from the start.
Tip 2 – Do make yourself stand out. There’s a beautiful ‘full circle’ feel to my video. The role I was in at the time was in recreational sport, driving implementation and adoption of mass participation programmes. In my video, I spoke about my desire for NextGen to connect me with the more commercial world, to understand how and where the decision makers hung out that allowed me to do my thing at the grass roots. As for the full circle bit… I did it dressed in a wetsuit holding a surfboard.
Surfing was a huge passion of mine then… and perhaps, somewhere deep inside, I aspired to be head of commercial for The Wave, bringing the power of surfing to the masses. But for the purpose of the application, I was ‘the bloke in the wetsuit.’
Tip 3 – Is simple for those who make it, and that is show up. And predominantly I mean physically. There’ll be sessions you find really easy to get involved in and some that you feel you gain loads more from by observing how your peers operate and trying to take on board their knowledge and expertise. But do whatever it takes to get there. You applied for this and deserve to reap the rewards, don’t make a busy work schedule the reason you miss out.
Like many in the cohorts pre-Covid, the trip to Sandhurst was my highlight. What goes on tour stays on tour and all that, but ultimately it was the most time spent with my peers and where our authentic selves probably had the most chance to shine through. And as a result of that, real bonds were formed. People ask was Sandhurst hard… try eating curry off your lap dressed in suits/evening dresses after a few beers. The rest is on a need-to-know basis.
It was the ending of the relationship with Sandhurst that created my chance to bring The Wave and Sport Industry NextGen together. As I said, the time to be ‘off duty’ with your peers was where the magic really happened. And while the programme has always been about driving purposeful leaders forward to retain strength at the forefront of the industry, when it was defined as innovation, social impact, sustainability and entrepreneurism… it was like the spec had been written for The Wave to come on board. The value exchange was a clear one, bring us the industries finest young minds who are switched on to purpose driven business so we can show it to them in action, and share our incredible slice of the ocean through the Sport Industry Group network, giving businesses the chance to bring their own teams to The Wave and experience a team trip away like no other.
25-degree water and immaculately blue skies accompanied the 2023 residential. Following a surf lesson, the NextGen sat with The Wave’s leaders in round table discussions on the four key topics. Based on the conversations over dinner and a few drinks as the sun set, I’d say it was a huge success. A dawn swim and sunrise yoga session set the team up the following day to reflect on their experience on the way home.
We can’t promise the sun in 2024 but we can ensure we welcome the 2024 cohort with open arms, ready to discuss and facilitate their motivations to lead the industry with true purpose into the future.
For me, the value of Sport Industry NextGen has certainly not reached its limit. I’ve developed a close network of industry leaders who I call friends, and call on for professional guidance as readily as I do a coffee when I’m in London. The growing group of NextGen alumni is one of those networks that perhaps you don’t really quantify value until you sit back and think about it. All you have to do is connect with them on LinkedIn and say ‘hey – I’m alumni too’ and you’re off on whatever collaboration you looking for.
And my career – if it wasn’t for me articulating to the judges, but ultimately myself, what I wanted to achieve then I’m not sure what else would have made me stop and think in late 2018 about it. I was at a crossroads and ultimately the programme was the catalyst to finding my current role which inspires and challenges me on a daily basis.
SPORT INDUSTRY NEXTGEN 2024 APPLICATIONS OPEN
As part of our official partnership, The Wave is offering all Members of Sport Industry Group the chance to get 10% off for their staff via their business partnership scheme. All members will be sent this code directly.
If you’re not an SIG Member but still want to emulate the NextGen cohort and take your team to The Wave, enquire here and The Wave team will help you build the perfect away day.
