Michael
Najdan

We spoke to NTU alum Michael about his exciting role as a Performance Analyst for Cricket NSW.

Why did you decide to study at NTU?
I’m originally from Nottingham and my parents still lived there so location was an important part of my decision.  I was keen to study, and eventually work in performance analysis, and the MRes course offered by NTU allowed me to specialise in this area of sport science.  In addition, the research nature of the course meant I could work closely with a professional team to complete my dissertation and eventually get this published in the International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport.

What does a day in your current role involve?
I guess the typical day doesn’t really exist in performance analysis! It is highly dependent on the time of year, in-season or out of season, matchday or not etc. On a matchday I would arrive at the ground early, set up the laptop and analysis equipment ready for the day ahead. Once the match starts, I provide analysis to the coaches and players, offering data insights and trends. At the end of each matchday I provide the key numbers from that day/match, how we have performed compared to pre-arranged metrics, and offer any vision and data to coaches that may confirm what they have already noted and back-up their perspective on the match or perhaps provide something meaningful from the data that may not have been apparent to the eye during the match. Players will often request certain information too.

On non-match days I will generally be preparing for the upcoming match or working on a review of the previous game. Looking at strengths and weaknesses of the opposition and preparing information for a pre-match meeting. I also work at training sessions providing footage or information on an area of a player’s game they may be working on.

What attracted you to this field of work?
I was extremely interested in sports and data from a young age, particularly thinking about trends in performance and why that trend existed. At the time, the field of work didn’t really exist but as I went through my undergraduate degree companies such as OPTA and Prozone started to develop which encouraged me to look further into performance analysis as a possible career. Even as I completed my master’s degree, roles in performance analysis, particularly in cricket, were limited and much less frequently advertised than they are today. I tried to be as proactive as possible in gaining experience and was lucky enough to find full-time roles.

What have been the highlights and biggest challenges of your career so far?
The career has allowed me to travel the world and work in places such as India, New Zealand, Australia and the United States. I have had the opportunity to work with a number of elite athletes and coaches, across a range of competitions. I was the performance analyst for Kent County Cricket Club for 9 seasons and was able to contribute to the club winning 2 trophies in that time. Working with different coaches and players in varied environments and trying to build relationships with these is a key element to the role. Some players are all over the data side of the role, others use the vision more, so it is important to cater for the different preferences in a squad. The only real down-side of the job is there can be long, anti-social hours and I have been particularly busy in the summer when others would be on holiday, at weddings etc.

What are you plans for the future?
I have only been in the job I am currently in for just under 12 months so I am concentrating on fulfilling this to the best of my ability. My main plan would be to work hard and keep improving my skills to be better at my role going forward.

If you had a time machine, what would you go back and tell yourself at uni?
Work as hard as possible, network with professionals involved in the career you would like to end up in and enjoy!

Follow Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-najdan-65285b63