T O N Y
P A L A D I N
Sports Management, Consulting, Analytics, Biokinetics & Project Management
Special Projects & Project Management
"It always seems impossible until it is done" - Nelson Mandela
Being intimately involved with the world of global sports for 25 years, I have had the privilege to work on a number of both local and international projects, ranging from developing talent identification protocols for the IOC (International Olympic Committee) to designing Rehabilitation Centers, creating data acquisition dashboards for UAE Team Emirates, video analytics for Mercedes Petronas Formula 1, AI data platforms for the UFC and consulting on multiple other health and high performance projects.
Managing a Project​
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Although project management sounds like it can be extremely arduous, the key principles of project management hold true to almost any project in any sector. If the 6 P's (Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance) are maintained, any project will remain moored and on track.
The consequence of inadequate planning is poor performance. Without a concrete plan, even the most skilled and dedicated teams can struggle to meet expectations, and this can lead to disappointment, stress and failure.
Project management is the process of organizing and guiding a project from start to finish. It involves planning, assigning tasks, managing resources, and ensuring the project is completed on time and within budget. The goal is to achieve specific objectives and deliver a successful outcome.
In Project management I implement a mix of technical, interpersonal and organizational skills, focusing on:
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Planning and Scheduling
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Project Planning: Developing detailed plans defining scope, objectives, and timelines.
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Scheduling: Creating and maintain schedules with tools like Gantt charts and CPM (Critical Path Method).
Technical Skills
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Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating risks.
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Budgeting: Managing and forecasting project costs.
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Quality Management: Ensure deliverables meet standards.
Leadership and Team Management
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Leadership: Motivating and guiding teams.
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Conflict Resolution: Resolving conflicts effectively.
Communication Skills
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Clear Communication: Conveying information clearly.
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Listening and Presentation: Understanding feedback and present updates.
Organizational Skills
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Time Management: Prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines.
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Resource Management: Allocating resources efficiently.
Adaptability
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Flexibility: Adjusting plans as needed.
Some of my Past Projects
International Olympic Committee
I was commissioned by the IOC to develop a talent identification program for young rowers in Southern Africa, as part of the IOC's Youth Development Program.
This initiative encompassed conducting research on demographics and athlete somatotypes, devising a tailored testing protocol, and implementing a comprehensive data management system for candidate profiling.
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)
I oversaw a substantial project for the UFC, integrating scorecard analytics and video analysis to predict match outcomes during bouts and for overall ranking assessments. This was done by creating a platform for mass data ingestion and creating an AI based algorithm to sift relevant data, geared toward performance outcomes.
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I collaborated closely with a team of Data Scientists to create an AI platform that effectively processed historical and real-time data to produce highly accurate predictions.
Professional Power Clinic
I was contracted by St. Stithians College for Boys in Johannesburg to develop a fully integrated High Performance Program for their rugby squad. This program included comprehensive assessment protocols, talent identification, personalized training regimens, nutritional plans, and mental conditioning strategies. I collaborated closely with coaches and parents to ensure a holistic approach to player development, focusing on injury prevention, peak performance, and long-term athlete wellness, enhancing the overall team success.
Mercedes Petronas Formula 1
During my tenure in the United Arab Emirates, I led the development and management of two critical projects for the Mercedes Petronas Formula 1 Racing team. These initiatives employed AI-driven data acquisition solutions, specifically Generative Pre-Training Transformer (GPT) and Large Language Models (LLM), to optimize driving performance and systems management.
Rivonia Medical Centre
I established Rivonia Medical Centre in Johannesburg, overseeing collaboration with a team of architects and contractors to develop a state-of-the-art medical facility spanning 1500 sqm. This comprehensive project encompassed the design and construction phases, integrating 25 fully furnished offices alongside a CrossFit Gym and Pilates & Yoga studio. The planning process entailed meticulous coordination of design elements, structural development, and operational frameworks aligned with a comprehensive business plan.
St George's High Performance Academy
I was contracted by St. George's High Performance Academy in Johannesburg as a Key Opinion Leader to create and manage their High Performance Program.
The contract included planning and designing their High Performance Centre (architecture and equipment setup), drafting all operational documents and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), testing and training protocols, legal contracts, managing budgets, and coordinating between multiple stakeholders.
UAE Team Emirates
I was entrusted with developing a fully integrated data analytics platform for UAE Team Emirates, designed to aggregate data from wearables, coach input, and athlete feedback. This platform predicts performance outcomes and manages training loads to ensure optimal performance and reduce injuries. It serves as a crucial tool for team selection and tapering management for major events.
Sports Performance and Rehab Centre
While residing in Cape Town, I played a pivotal role in the planning, development, and operations of the Sport Performance and Rehabilitation Centre in Cape Quarter.
My responsibilities included overseeing the design layout, formulating the business plan, managing marketing strategies, and ensuring efficient operations management, thereby guaranteeing the center's comprehensive functionality and success.
Youth Athlete Development
I worked closely with SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) to develop, present, and educate coaches throughout South Africa by creating a platform that contained a series of courses and coaching methodologies titled "Athletic Development in Young Athletes - A Coach’s Guide to Training Methodology."
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The platform addressed subjects ranging from youth talent identification to young athlete development and mental health management.