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Women in Football members can now apply to study towards a Professional Master in Football Business with the Football Business Academy (FBA) on their September course and be in with a chance of a life-changing 40% discount. 

Thanks to the FBA renewing their #GetOnside pledge for another year, we’re calling all aspiring female leaders that are looking at further education.

The course includes six months of online classes, three months of internships in the football industry and two months on campus in Lisbon. Invest in your future and join a community of ambitious female leaders in football who have graduated from the FBA. But don’t just take our word for it – we’ve been speaking with some female alumnae and current students who are set to step into the industry...

 

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Annalisa Conti
Commercial Operations, UEFA

After dedicating 12 years to the volleyball industry, I found myself seeking a new challenge and I wanted to enter the football industry fully prepared to make an impact. Receiving the scholarship played a pivotal role in my choice to change direction and take the risk. Without it, I might not have had the courage to leave everything behind and start anew. To me, that scholarship was a true game changer in my life. Combining the knowledge gained during the course with 12 years of experience in the sports event industry helped me to be well-prepared for the interview with UEFA and get my dream job. 

Annalisa’s highlights: 

• Networking opportunities: interacting with industry experts as well as my classmates led to valuable connections.

• Personal development: my preconceived notions were challenged, and I gained insights into alternative ways of thinking and developing new approaches.

• Professional growth: having the opportunity to study different areas of the football industry led to hard skills improvement.

 

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Gina Stein
Ticket Account Coordinator, Euro 2024 GmbH

Throughout the programme, I had the opportunity to do my placement at one of the biggest clubs in this world, FC Bayern Munich. There I worked in the corporate partnerships department and gained experience in how a club is run. After graduating from the FBA, I started my job at Euro 2024 GmbH which will take place in my home country, and which has been a lifelong dream of mine.

To be completely honest, I was surprised by the number of women in my edition! When I signed up, I expected to be maybe with one more woman in the class, but we ended up being six in total. So, this was a nice surprise as we could count on each other for support and bond over the same struggles we face as women in the industry trying to break the glass ceiling. The work the FBA is doing to get more women on side is great and I am sure you will see the impact in the future.

Gina’s highlights: 

• The module at NOVA in Lisbon: the whole class attended and had in-person classes throughout the module. This was the most valuable part to shape connections and meet like-minded people from all over the world that have the same goal.

• Placement at FC Bayern Munich: it helped me to understand the dynamics of football clubs and showed me a different side that I had not seen before. 

 

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Sylvia Iwong Ugi
European Football for Development Network, FBA internship

The FBA's #GetOnside pledge played a pivotal role in making the Professional Masters in Football Business programme a reality for me. It provided the financial support that allowed me to pursue this incredible academic opportunity without the burden of significant financial constraints. The programme's reputation for setting the standard in sports management education was a major motivator for me. Without the #GetOnside pledge, the financial commitment required might have delayed my participation by several years. 

Sylvia’s highlights: 

• Collaborating on a real-world project: researching, analysing, and developing solutions for the partners' needs, was a valuable learning experience. It allowed me to apply the knowledge gained throughout the programme and showcase my teamwork and problem-solving skills in a practical setting.

• Interconnectedness of all the modules within the programme: an extensive alumni network of professionals currently working in diverse positions within the industry provides access to career opportunities, and a sense of community. 

 

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Lilith Aghajanian
Marketing Communications Manager, Fast Media

Knowing that there was an opportunity specifically designed to support women in football made the application process more accessible and inclusive. In addition to making me feel that being a woman was not a barrier to working in the football industry. 

Lilith’s highlights: 

• The course keeps up to date with developments in the football industry: whether it be special subjects or guest lectures, almost half of the course is completely relevant to the student's interests and provides a good platform for a future career.

• Networking: the opportunity to network with seasoned industry professionals willing to share their experiences both in and out of class. Thanks to the FBA you feel reinforced, and when you need advice, there is only one message that separates you from the right person. 

• Practice gained: the opportunity to put my knowledge into practice through the internship and student business project.

 

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Alinne Neshmonin
Clube Atlético Mineiro, FBA internship

Without the scholarship the programme would create a negative effect on my family's budget. Also, because of this scholarship, I was able to allocate some money to do my internship overseas at the club that I support, realising a lifelong dream of mine.

Alinne's highlights:

• The amazing and talented professors: helping me to develop skills and discover areas that I would love to work in. The knowledge and experience they share with us is incredible!

• Internship opportunity at Atlético Mineiro: it is filling me with knowledge and confidence to advance in my career, as well as creating professional connections that could be very important in this industry.

 

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Eve Mercer
Tedeschi & Partners – UK, FBA internship

The FBA’s #GetOnside pledge with Women in Football was a particularly unique selling point in the course and without this scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue this avenue. The course has already helped further my career in football by providing me with an internship where I can gain my first valuable experience at a football agency. Not only has this already expanded my network but deepened my understanding of the specific workings of marketing and partnerships in the football industry. 

Eve's highlights:

• Access to an introduction and networking week in Seville and the WFS event: this was a great opportunity to get to know the other candidates on the course before we dived into online classes and build a good rapport before our final module in Lisbon.

 

Read more about the FBA's Professional Master in Football Business and apply for the exclusive #GetOnside discount. Applications close on 31 May. 

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