University Launches Sport Director Degree
A University in Manchester has launched the UK’s first ever Masters programme in Sport Directorship, a role fast becoming one of the most important in modern sport.
Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, in partnership with Visionary Sports Investment, will now deliver a unique curriculum tailored to qualify a new generation for the job.
Details of the two-year, part-time executive level degree were announced at a launch attended by form Everton, Manchester City and England player, and a director of VSI, Joe Royle.
Joe Royle, ex Everton, Manchester City and England, and a director of VSI, said: ‘The Sport Directorship qualification is the first of its kind in the UK and I passionately believe it will aid the development of the sports industry and fill a skills gap in the market which is becoming more and more vital.’
‘Sport has developed significantly in the last few years with experts predicting the global industry is set to be worth more than £85 billion by 2015. In 1995, I won the FA Cup with Everton with just seven back-room staff! Teams now have up to 50 staff working across a number of departments, so the role of the Sporting Director in managing talent and teams is absolutely invaluable.’
MMU Business School’s Commercial Academy Director Steve Bainbridge commented: ‘Until now, the dynamic multi-faceted role of the Director of Sport hasn’t been catered for with a specific qualification. Graduates from the programme will form part of an elite group with sport industry experience enabling them to be recruited to senior leadership positions in sport.’
VSI Director Tony Faulkner added: ‘This will be the benchmark qualification for sports organisations seeking to recruit Sporting Directors. The role is currently not well defined and the course delivers absolute clarity on the skills and capabilities required for the function.’
‘I have spoken to chief executives across multiple sports, who have been unable to recruit successfully for this role because of a lack of qualified candidates. Employers engaging graduates from this MMU-based course can be guaranteed appropriately qualified individuals.’
The programme, which begins in September, is aimed at sports industry professionals.
