Field visits underway for 19th edition FIFA Master class

Master Ernest Antwi Nyarko

19th FIFA Master students gaining first-hand knowledge at major sporting institutions

Post-graduate participants experienced the likes of Wimbledon and Manchester City

"Field visits play a vital part in the class learning process"

This year’s FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport class is about to finish the first chapter of their unique one-year long academic journey.

The Humanities of Sport module, organised at De Montfort University’s renowned International Centre for Sports History and Culture, is the opening step for the 28 carefully selected international postgraduate students.

Part of this module, and all three on the course, has been field visits, looking to provide students with practical knowledge and first-hand experience linked to the world of sport, be it from a historical, management or sports law-related perspective.

To begin the 2018/19 academic year, the FIFA Master class travelled to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, where they were able to learn about the unique business and marketing aspects of the Wimbledon Championships in a series of presentations.

“Visiting Wimbledon had been one of my lifelong dreams,” Alberto Arteaga Sanchez Navarro from Mexico reflected. “The contrast of the green and purple colours, the beauty of the lawn courts, and the stunning facilities left me in awe. Moreover, experiencing Wimbledon from behind the scenes was fantastic.”

The FIFA Master, which has been ranked the No1 course in Europe an unprecedented six times, is unique not only because it is organised in England, Italy and Switzerland, but also because it combines classroom-based academic theory with industry networking opportunities and knowledge gathered during an extensive field visit programme.

First module field visit destinations

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Leicester City FC Manchester City FC Manchester United FC Leicester Tigers Rugby Club Rugby School National Football Museum The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA)

A trip to the King Power Stadium, home to 2015/16 Premier League winners Leicester City Football Club, enabled the class to benefit from detailed presentations by senior club representatives on areas such as finance and legal affairs – as well as the club’s past.

“What struck me most was their focus on presenting their history and heritage,” Jisoo (Giny) Oh from Korea Republic said. “For football fans, the history and heritage of their club matters, which showed me how much Leicester City cares about their fans and future generations. We often overlook the history side of the sport but sometimes this is where the solutions can be found.”

Students concluded the module’s field visit programme with a visit to the reigning English football champions Manchester City. They were treated to a comprehensive day of presentations by senior club representatives, including partnership operations, fan engagement activities, financial analysis, and the growth strategy for the highly successful Manchester City Women’s Team.

Also, as part of these field visits, students often have the opportunity to meet FIFA Master alumni now working at the organisation hosting the visit. Thirteenth edition graduate, Alexander Staehelin, is now Strategy & Development Manager in City Football Group’s global Operations Development Team and was on hand to share some of his experiences.

“I am extremely grateful to all of the clubs and sporting organisations who are part of our academic field visit programme for their generous help and support each year,” James Panter, FIFA Master Humanities of Sport Module Co-ordinator, said. “They play a vital part in the class learning process. Further, many FIFA Master graduates will go on to work either directly or indirectly with these same organisations as they develop their careers in sport business.”

The class will move to Italy in January where they will begin their second Sports Management module at the SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan. At the end of March, the class will then move again to Switzerland for the final Sports Law module at the University of Neuchâtel Law Faculty.

The application process for the 20th edition of the FIFA Master (2019-20) has recently opened. More information can be found here.