Francis Soyer Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Vic, Au

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

This position has the full responsibility for the design, delivery and execution of the Australian competitive play calendar including the Tennis Australia professional and performance events portfolio.Leading the national team and supporting the Member Associations in delivering and supporting competitive play from juniors through to the domestic calendar encompassing our Junior Tour, Junior Development Series, and all forms of Open prize money events.I am also responsible for the… Show more This position has the full responsibility for the design, delivery and execution of the Australian competitive play calendar including the Tennis Australia professional and performance events portfolio.Leading the national team and supporting the Member Associations in delivering and supporting competitive play from juniors through to the domestic calendar encompassing our Junior Tour, Junior Development Series, and all forms of Open prize money events.I am also responsible for the strategy and delivery of our pro and performance calendar which encompasses the Australian Pro-Tour, World Tennis Tour Juniors and all Junior National Individual and Teams Championships and Tour Finals. Working in close partnership with the Performance and Talent Development teams to ensure that our calendar and playing opportunities support their long-term performance objectives. Show less

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Undertaking a secondment opportunity with the Adelaide International event team for the 2024 event. The event is a WTA500 and ATP250 event held from January 6 to 13, the week before the Australian Open. Reporting to the Operations Manager, my responsibilities include:- Assisting the Tournament Director and General Manager to ensure all player operation areas are in place and are managed smoothly during the event. - Assisting and managing budgets for Player Services, Court… Show more Undertaking a secondment opportunity with the Adelaide International event team for the 2024 event. The event is a WTA500 and ATP250 event held from January 6 to 13, the week before the Australian Open. Reporting to the Operations Manager, my responsibilities include:- Assisting the Tournament Director and General Manager to ensure all player operation areas are in place and are managed smoothly during the event. - Assisting and managing budgets for Player Services, Court Services, Accreditation, Accommodation and Ballkids areas.- Leading the Event Transport team (Courtesy Cars, Bus services as well as contract and volunteer staff) Show less

Melbourne, Australia

For almost 16 years, I have been part of a team that has developed Grand Slam Champions for Tennis Australia. The team achieved this goal when Ashleigh Barty won the French Open (2019), Wimbledon (2021) and Australian Open (2022) Women’s Singles Titles.Project Manager / Men’s Tournament Director – Australian Open 2022 Qualifying – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Responsibilities• Project Group leader of AO Qualifying Event Steering Committee. • Managing requirements… Show more For almost 16 years, I have been part of a team that has developed Grand Slam Champions for Tennis Australia. The team achieved this goal when Ashleigh Barty won the French Open (2019), Wimbledon (2021) and Australian Open (2022) Women’s Singles Titles.Project Manager / Men’s Tournament Director – Australian Open 2022 Qualifying – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Responsibilities• Project Group leader of AO Qualifying Event Steering Committee. • Managing requirements for Internal teams (Commercial, Event Operations, Player Services) and External event management company (BrandPlus International)• Development and responsibility for $14.5m event budget• Implement all ATP and WTA Tour event policies and Covid-19 protocols at the event• Procurement of official hotel accommodation for all event groupsTournament Director – Australian Open Junior Championships – Melbourne Park. Tournament Director of the Australian Open Junior Championships and lead-in AGL Loy Yang Traralgon Junior International from 2007 to Present (2022). Achievements• At the 2022 event, achievement of CSAT score of 100% following end of event survey sent to all participants. • Managing an event and leading an event team during the height of Australia’s Covid Omicron crisis. Bringing in over 350 international stakeholders (players, coaches and guests) from 51 countries. • Only Junior Grand Slam event to have boys and girl’s singles finals on Centre Court (Achieved in 2007 for boys and 2011 for girls). Leading this internal change management process has resulted in crowds of between 3000-5000 spectators each year, a 1000% increase over previous attendances.Responsibilities• Ensure all event operation requirements are implemented for the Junior Championships, including:o Official Accommodation, Charter Flights, Entry Visa Requirements, Player entries, travel assistant services, accreditation, official transport, player benefits & services, media and communications. Show less

Melbourne, Australia

The event is one of the four junior Grand Slam tournaments held each year and represents Tennis Australia's first opportunity to engage and develop relationships with the future stars of tennis. The Boys and Girls Singles Finals are played on Rod Laver Arena, with all junior matches broadcasted to international markets. Major AchievementsImproved the attendance of the World’s Top 20 Junior players to the Australian Open Junior Championships by an average of 20% since 2012. -… Show more The event is one of the four junior Grand Slam tournaments held each year and represents Tennis Australia's first opportunity to engage and develop relationships with the future stars of tennis. The Boys and Girls Singles Finals are played on Rod Laver Arena, with all junior matches broadcasted to international markets. Major AchievementsImproved the attendance of the World’s Top 20 Junior players to the Australian Open Junior Championships by an average of 20% since 2012. - Undertook data analysis of previous 10 years. Improved relationships and servicing of international countries, academies and coaches. Presented recommendations to senior leadership including playing the Junior Singles Finals on Rod Laver Arena, which has resulted in crowds of between 3000-5000 spectators each year for both Junior Singles Finals. My responsibilities for the tournament include:INTERNATIONAL PLAYER & SUPPORT TEAM RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT- One of my main roles is to develop relationships with all players and support team members and ensure the first Australian Open experience for the future stars of tennis is an exceptional one. The aim of developing these relationships is to ensure the Australian Open becomes a players' favourite tournament each year when they reach the professional circuit. EVENT MANAGEMENT- Member of the daily scheduling team for the Australian Open- Work with numerous Australian Open project groups such as Player Benefits, Accommodation, Catering and Ceremonies to ensure these areas are ready for implementation for players and teams competing in the junior tournament. - Be a spokesperson for all related matters regarding the Australian Open Junior Championships. Show less

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The UTR Pro Tennis Series was created in 2020 due to the Covid-19 global shutdown of tennis events. Played across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth during the year, the UTR Pro Tennis Series provided prizemoney and match opportunities for professional tennis players based in Australia. Over the course of the series, it has provided just over $1m in prizemoney to assist over 100 Australian professional tennis players maintain an income during the difficult 2020 year.… Show more The UTR Pro Tennis Series was created in 2020 due to the Covid-19 global shutdown of tennis events. Played across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth during the year, the UTR Pro Tennis Series provided prizemoney and match opportunities for professional tennis players based in Australia. Over the course of the series, it has provided just over $1m in prizemoney to assist over 100 Australian professional tennis players maintain an income during the difficult 2020 year. Achievements• Managed Tennis Australia Member Association staff in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth during the 2020 Covid-19 global pandemic. My teams were able to host over 40 events during the six months. • The series was one of the success stories for Tennis Australia during a difficult 2020, providing over 1000 professional matches to 166 players based in Australia who earned a total of $976,000 in prizemoney. Read my LinkedIn story from phase one of the series here - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lessons-from-organising-event-during-global-pandemic-francis-soyer/ Responsibilities• Leader of the UTR Pro Tennis Series Event Operations team• Day-to-day management of the event – draws, schedules, player communications and customer service. • Development of all event budgets, payment of invoices and player prizemoney Show less

Melbourne, Australia

Major Achievements• Lead and managed the Australian Tournament Restructure, implementing qualifying draws at all Australian Ranking tournaments which resulted in an 15-20% increase in competitive matches in the following 12 months. • Implemented a rebrand of the Australian Ranking tournaments (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) that became an easy-to-understand structure for all stakeholders to follow• Conducted a strategic positioning scan that enabled our team to determine where… Show more Major Achievements• Lead and managed the Australian Tournament Restructure, implementing qualifying draws at all Australian Ranking tournaments which resulted in an 15-20% increase in competitive matches in the following 12 months. • Implemented a rebrand of the Australian Ranking tournaments (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) that became an easy-to-understand structure for all stakeholders to follow• Conducted a strategic positioning scan that enabled our team to determine where to place new tournament products• Conducted frequent market research with a wide and diverse stakeholder group of Australian Ranking Tournaments, analyse tournament results data. Delivering insights & recommendations for Senior Leaders to assist with the development of the strategic plan for Tennis Australia’s National Junior Tournaments from the 2016-2018 and 2019-2021 period. • Restructured the year-round National Junior Championships that resulted in the creation of major state qualifying eventsResponsibilities• Strategic Management of the Australian Ranking product and Management of several National Junior Championship events. Management of a yearly budget of $3.4m.• Source locations for National Championship events each year. Negotiate contracts with venues, suppliers, sponsors and local governments. My team is responsible for 12 national/international events each year, a budget totaling over $1.6m. Show less

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Achievements• Creation and Development of the December Showdown year-end National Junior Championship event at Melbourne Park. This developed a structure that utilised Melbourne Park for longer during the summer of tennis as well as providing valuable training and testing opportunities for numerous AO teams• Sourcing the Tournament Planner software product from Europe, developing and maintaining the vendor relationship, resulting in a 14-year benefit for all tennis clubs… Show more Achievements• Creation and Development of the December Showdown year-end National Junior Championship event at Melbourne Park. This developed a structure that utilised Melbourne Park for longer during the summer of tennis as well as providing valuable training and testing opportunities for numerous AO teams• Sourcing the Tournament Planner software product from Europe, developing and maintaining the vendor relationship, resulting in a 14-year benefit for all tennis clubs. • Restructured the year-round National Junior Championships that resulted in the creation of major state qualifying eventsResponsibilities• Development and communication of the strategic plan to internal staff, but importantly to external stakeholders (private coaches, players, parents and local clubs).• Innovated and implemented new Australian tournament products (for example, qualifying & playoff draws). • Servicing of Sponsors of Australian Ranking Tournament circuit and various national and international eventso Identified yearly assets across the department and assisted the Business Development team with preparation of data-driven proposals to prospective sponsors. Responsible for implementation of sponsorship contracts for local grassroots event circuits with Optus (from 2008-2012), MLC (2012-2015), Medibank (2012-2015) and Kia (2019-present). • Be the media face and Tennis Australia spokesperson at all national events• Develop and maintain relationships and servicing of international countries, academies and coaches. • Professional Development, coaching and mentoring of direct reports. Providing opportunities for graduating sport management students to work on summer series events managed by my team. The experience gained has directly helped these graduates receive full-time work in the sports industry shortly thereafter, including at Tennis Australia. Show less

Launceston

For almost 4 years, I was responsible for the relationships and servicing of all 58 local tennis clubs across the state in their endeavor to improve the Health & Wellness of Tasmanian’s playing tennis. Major AchievementsDeveloped and built relationships by implementing the MILO Tennis Over Australia program over 3 years across all affiliated tennis clubs each year. - Responsible for improving relationships with key tennis club stakeholders across the state. Conducted… Show more For almost 4 years, I was responsible for the relationships and servicing of all 58 local tennis clubs across the state in their endeavor to improve the Health & Wellness of Tasmanian’s playing tennis. Major AchievementsDeveloped and built relationships by implementing the MILO Tennis Over Australia program over 3 years across all affiliated tennis clubs each year. - Responsible for improving relationships with key tennis club stakeholders across the state. Conducted monthly volunteer workshops across the three regions of Tasmania. Workshops included 'Development of Strategic Plans', 'How to run a successful event' and 'How to increase memberships'. The program increased the number of affiliated tennis clubs in Tasmania by 12% and the number of affiliated tennis players by 10% over the 3-year period. Improved communications and member benefits for affiliated tennis clubs and tennis players in Tasmania- Sourced a minimum of 12 yearly exclusive discount offers for members from companies across Tasmania. Designed template and was editor for monthly member newsletter (Around the Courts) that was distributed both in print and electronically. EVENT MANAGEMENT- Tournament Director for all major state tennis tournaments, including the Tall Timbers State Masters event, Tasmanian State Junior Championships and Assistant Tournament Director for international Pro Tour events in Burnie and Devonport. Show less

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Hobart

Assistant Tournament Director (2IC) of the WTA Tour event, the Hobart International. This event is part of the Australian Open series of events held in January each year. Responsibilities included the following:BUDGET MANAGEMENT- For the 2004 tournament, was responsible for the development, monitoring, reporting and reconciling of the $250,000 event budget whilst the transition to a new Tournament Director took place.EVENT OPERATIONS- Leading member of the team… Show more Assistant Tournament Director (2IC) of the WTA Tour event, the Hobart International. This event is part of the Australian Open series of events held in January each year. Responsibilities included the following:BUDGET MANAGEMENT- For the 2004 tournament, was responsible for the development, monitoring, reporting and reconciling of the $250,000 event budget whilst the transition to a new Tournament Director took place.EVENT OPERATIONS- Leading member of the team responsible for ensuring operational readiness of the Domain Tennis Centre each year. This involved managing the building and installation of temporary infrastructure such as corporate boxes, grandstands and public catering outlets. - Managed the Accreditation system and policies to ensure all players, teams, staff and volunteers were able to access their required areas. EVENT MARKETING- Worked with Tennis Australia marketing team to implement marketing collateral for the event, such as state TV commercial, event posters and event programmes. Also assisted the Tennis Australia media team to compile daily results and media releases as well as major publicity events.PLAYER ACCOMMODATION & HOSPITALITY- Managed the relationship between the tournament and the official player hotel for the tournament. - Managed player courtesy car transport from Hobart Airport, as well as between the tennis club and player hotel. Show less

Master Of Business Administration (Mba)

Activities and Societies: Co-Founder of Melbourne Business School Sports Industry Alumni Group in 2016.

Bachelor Of Commerce (B.Com.), Sports Management & Marketing

Year 9 To 12

Activities and Societies: Athletics, Cross-Country, Tennis, Basketball and Music Attended Burke Hall from Years 5 to 8. Then Senior Campus.