Australian-based Games experience. Independent advice.
Downunder Advantage is led by Luke Pellegrini, an Australian sports industry leader and former
Chief of Sports & Teams at the Australian Olympic Committee.
I help International clients (NOC/NPC teams, federations, media and sponsors) plan and deliver their Australian campaigns more efficiently.
I work with Australian clients (schools, universities, councils, venues, developers and accommodation providers) to use proximity to hosting a major sport event as a catalyst for long-term partnerships, commercial revenue and community legacy.
Why it matters
Australia loves hosting global sport, and we do it well.
But compared with recent summer Olympic Games host cities, our operational capacity is significantly smaller. We have less suitable accommodation, fewer training facilities, and a tricky ground transport market. Our events are spread widely with venues a flight apart. That means early and efficient campaign planning critical.
From 2016-2024, I led the planning and successful delivery of ten Australian Teams competing at multi-sport Games abroad (including 3 x Olympic Games) for the AOC.
I understand the requirements, standards, governance, timelines, decision-making process, risk and incredible reward of global sport.
My extensive networks and insight helps facilitate Games partnerships between:
international delegations looking for a host-city partner; &
Australian organisations with the capacity and capability to assist international delegations.
My experience gives me practical insight into:
what travelling delegations need in the host region
when and how they choose local partners
the standards they expect from those partners.
What clients get
Senior Games judgement
Practical advice grounded in real Games leadership experience, not generic consulting.
Australian-based access
Local knowledge, extensive networks and on-the-ground support when you need it.
Clear commercial advice
Which opportunities are worth pursuing, what they are realistically worth, and who makes the call.
Direct access
Clients work with me directly. I do not hand work to junior consultants or large delivery teams.
My role is to provide practical local access, commercial judgement and clear advice that helps clients make better Games decisions.
Independent advisory
Downunder Advantage is independent. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any Games organising committee, government delivery agency or rights holder.
