University signs partnership with the Football Association
The University of Liverpool is to work with the Football Association (FA) to deliver football-related education programmes, representing the first partnership between a higher education institute and the FA.
The University’s School of Management will work with FA Learning, the educational arm of the FA, to deliver courses such as its Football Industries MBA (FIMBA).
The Football Industries MBA, established at Liverpool in 1997 and the first of its kind in the world, provides the business focus that management positions in modern sport demand and meets the rapidly expanding worldwide interest in the professionalisation, business and marketing of football.
The partnership with FA Learning will enable FiMBA students to benefit from the expertise of one of sport’s biggest governing bodies through guest speakers and practical learning opportunities as well as developing distinct pathways from education into employment
The University will work with the team at St. George’s Park, the FA’s £100m development in Burton-upon-Trent which will be the national centre for coach education and the home of FA Learning. The long-term FA Learning vision through St. George’s Park is to offer professional, accredited training, enhancing the skills of the current football workforce and developing the next generation of coaches, referees, medics and administrators.
Professor Murray Dalziel, Director of the University of Liverpool’s Management School, said:
“The University of Liverpool is delighted to be FA Learning's first higher education partner. The partnership will ensure that our MBA (Football Industries) programme continues to lead the professionalism and development of football administration, marketing and management globally. St George’s Park is a fantastic new facility and we look forward to working with the team there".
David Sheepshanks, Chairman of St. George’s Park, said:
“We are naturally very pleased to have reached this agreement with the University of Liverpool. It is extremely important for us to have a strong university relationship and in making today’s declaration we can confirm that will be the case.
I have spoken of our desire to see St. George’s Park become a ‘university of football’ and with the support of the likes of the University we will see this potential become a reality. We look forward enormously to working closely together.”
Students who have studied on the FIMBA programme have gone on to work in high level positions across a range of sports including clubs, governing bodies, agencies and consultancy groups in the UK. Europe and across the world.
If you would like further details about the FIMBA call Anna Semens on 0797 024 7268 or email aps@liv.ac.uk.