Blake Cavallaro
NSW
Summary
Commercially focused professional in sponsorship, partnerships, and community engagement with over 15 years of experience. Expertise in securing revenue, enhancing participation, and delivering sustainable growth through strategic programs in elite and grassroots sports. Proven track record in building high-value relationships across various stakeholders to create impactful community experiences.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Pathways & Development Manager
MANLY WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
01.2025 - Current
- Lead the strategic planning and delivery of the club's male and female pathways programs.
- Secured Flip Insurance as the inaugural major sponsor of the Manly Pathways Program, generating $100,000 in new revenue.
- Established the club's first dedicated pathways sponsorship partnership.
- Developed and maintained relationships with schools, junior clubs, community organisations, sponsors, and governing bodies to enhance pathway participation.
- Strengthened stakeholder engagement across schools, clubs, and community organisations, driving participation growth and supporting pathway development.
- Manage pathway budgets, stakeholder engagement initiatives and operational delivery.
- Coordinated player development programs and talent identification initiatives to align with club objectives and enhance player success.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to align pathway outcomes with club objectives.
Talent Scout & Development Manager
ATHLETE FUTURES
01.2025 - Current
- Identify and assess emerging Rugby League talent across junior, state and national competitions.
- Cultivated relationships with clubs, schools, athletes, families and industry stakeholders to enhance talent support and development.
- Created individual athlete development plans emphasizing performance and long-term career success.
- Facilitated communication between players, clubs, sponsors, commercial partners and legal representatives to streamline processes and strengthen partnerships.
- Support contract negotiations, player development and commercial opportunities.
- Developed strategic relationships across NRL clubs, schools and talent networks.
- Assisted athletes with personal brand development and media engagement opportunities.
- Supported athletes in securing professional and representative pathway opportunities.
Sevens Pathways & Women's Head Coach
NSW WARATAHS
01.2025 - Current
- Lead the strategic planning and delivery of the Women's Sevens Pathways Program.
- Delivered strategic athlete development initiatives aligned with participation and performance outcomes.
- Managed athlete development programs and engaged stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness.
- Strengthened relationships with stakeholders across Rugby Australia, schools, clubs, and community organisations to support program goals.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to support athlete development and program outcomes.
- Fostered inclusive, high-performing environment that prioritized athlete wellbeing and development.
- Collaborate with Rugby Australia, schools, clubs and community stakeholders.
Head of Female Pathways & Coach
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Led the strategic direction and operational delivery of the Bulldogs Female Pathways Program.
- Cultivated stakeholder relationships with schools, clubs, parents, and governing bodies to enhance collaboration and support for female pathways.
- Streamlined coaching and player development systems across NSW, Queensland, New Zealand, and regional pathways programs to improve athlete progression.
- Led coaching, recruitment and athlete development initiatives.
- Established elite development camps for emerging female athletes.
- Designed and implemented participation and development programs across local and satellite regions.
- Successfully recruited elite NRLW, international and emerging talent.
- Developed long-term player development frameworks and staff KPI systems.
- Enhanced stakeholder engagement across schools, clubs, and community organizations to foster community involvement and support for female athletes.
Head of Pathways & Coach
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
01.2018 - 01.2024
- Led the strategic direction and delivery of the Sydney Roosters representative and development pathways programs.
- Designed pathways that facilitated athlete progress to NRLW and representative honours, strengthening the organization's talent pipeline.
- Developed annual strategic plans aligned to organisational objectives.
- Cultivated stakeholder relationships with schools, clubs, sponsors, community organisations and governing bodies to enhance program support.
- Oversaw program operations, budgets, and logistics while implementing athlete development initiatives to optimize participant success.
- Secured Kari and Ward as major commercial sponsors of the Sydney Roosters Female Pathways Program.
- Recognized as Club Role Model for Women in League in 2022.
- Successfully led all Sydney Roosters representative teams to finals appearances in 2022.
- Head Coach of the undefeated Indigenous Tarsha Gale Premiership teams in 2022 and 2023.
NSW Under 19s Women's State of Origin Head Coach
NSWRL
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Celebrated NSW Under 19s women's team victory in State of Origin Championship 2022.
- Celebrated NSW Under 19s women's team victory in State of Origin Championship 2021.
- Managed athlete selection and development, ensuring effective performance planning.
- Successfully developed athletes transitioning into elite representative pathways.
- Coordinated staff and logistics, optimizing stakeholder engagement activities.
- Developed and delivered strategic plans, enhancing the NSW Women's Under 19s State of Origin Program.
Game Development Officer
NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE (NRL)
01.2011 - 01.2017
- Cultivated and maintained stakeholder relationships with councils, schools, clubs, referees, and volunteers to enhance community support.
- Secured $250,000 in sponsorship funding to establish and launch a new junior rugby league competition within the Sydney Roosters district.
- Successfully relaunched the Sydney Roosters Junior Rugby League competition with more than 650 participants.
- Coordinated budgets, staffing, and program delivery to ensure compliance with reporting requirements and program success.
- Established strategic partnerships with schools and community organizations to drive participation and engagement growth.
- Developed and delivered the first NRL Fundamental Movement Program for Foundation to Year 2 students.
- Established participation pathways for girls through the creation of all-girls rugby league development programs.
Education
First Aid, CPR & Anaphylaxis Certification -
01-2025
National Police Check -
01-2025
Senior Level 2 Rugby League Coaching Certificate -
National Rugby League
01-2019
Team Management & Leadership Certificate -
University of Sydney
01-2019
ASCA Level 1 Strength & Conditioning -
ASCA
01-2019
Certificate IV Elite Athlete & Wellbeing -
Wellbeing Science Institute
01-2018
Graduate Certificate of Education - Sports Coaching
University of Sydney
01-2017
Diploma of Fitness -
Randwick TAFE
01-2010
Skills
- Sponsorship Acquisition & Retention
- Sponsorship Activation & Delivery
- Strategic Partnerships & Relationship Management
- Community Engagement & Activation
- Stakeholder Management
- Business Development & Revenue Generation
- Event Planning & Activation
- Program Management & Implementation
- Budget Management & Reporting
- Strategic Planning
- Leadership & Team Development
- CRM, Data & Digital Engagement Platforms
References
Available upon request
Core Competencies
- Sponsorship Acquisition & Retention
- Sponsorship Activation & Delivery
- Strategic Partnerships & Relationship Management
- Community Engagement & Activation
- Stakeholder Management
- Business Development & Revenue Generation
- Event Planning & Activation
- Program Management & Implementation
- Budget Management & Reporting
- Strategic Planning
- Leadership & Team Development
- CRM, Data & Digital Engagement Platforms
Key Commercial Achievements
- Secured $250,000 in sponsorship funding to establish and launch a new junior rugby league competition within the Sydney Roosters district, leading sponsorship acquisition, activation and implementation.
- Secured Kari and Ward as major commercial sponsors of the Sydney Roosters Female Pathways Program, establishing long-term partnerships that remain active today.
- Generated $100,000 in new revenue by securing Flip Insurance as the inaugural major sponsor of the Manly Pathways Program.
- Re-signed the Mabel Backhouse School partnership through to 2027, strengthening talent pathways and community engagement initiatives.
- Delivered community and school-based programs aligned to corporate social responsibility objectives, creating meaningful engagement opportunities for sponsors and local communities.
- Awarded Sydney Roosters Employee of the Year (2020) for outstanding leadership and organisational contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Led the successful relaunch of the Sydney Roosters Junior Rugby League competition, which continues to exceed participation expectations almost a decade later.
Timeline
Pathways & Development Manager
MANLY WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
01.2025 - Current
Talent Scout & Development Manager
ATHLETE FUTURES
01.2025 - Current
Sevens Pathways & Women's Head Coach
NSW WARATAHS
01.2025 - Current
Head of Female Pathways & Coach
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
01.2024 - 01.2025
NSW Under 19s Women's State of Origin Head Coach
NSWRL
01.2021 - 01.2022
Head of Pathways & Coach
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
01.2018 - 01.2024
Game Development Officer
NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE (NRL)
01.2011 - 01.2017
First Aid, CPR & Anaphylaxis Certification -
National Police Check -
Senior Level 2 Rugby League Coaching Certificate -
National Rugby League
Team Management & Leadership Certificate -
University of Sydney
ASCA Level 1 Strength & Conditioning -
ASCA
Certificate IV Elite Athlete & Wellbeing -
Wellbeing Science Institute
Graduate Certificate of Education - Sports Coaching
University of Sydney
Diploma of Fitness -
Randwick TAFE