Last year Drogheda United Football Club and the Louth & Meath Education & Training Board (LMETB) teamed up to deliver a unique Diploma course in Business Administration (VTCT level 2) which used the love of football to engage unemployed people with mainstream education.
The project was a huge success with graduates experiencing work with Everton FC in Liverpool, Feyenoord FC in Rotterdam as well as ABGK1 Goalkeeping Academy in the UK.
Building on the successes of the course last year, the club are now calling for applicants to enrol, and inviting young people who wish to pursue a career in the sports industry to join them at an information evening in the Drogheda United Clubhouse this coming Monday evening.
Recently appointed club Chairperson Joanna Byrne, who has been central in securing this funding from LMETB for Drogheda United to deliver this programme, is excited about the course commencing for a second year.
“Last year we endeavoured to develop and strengthen our community links and in the form of education we were able to give something back to the town by delivering this course and the opportunities it provides. “We couldn’t have anticipated the successes that would come for the graduates with some of them now already working abroad in massive European football clubs.
“The course offers an important educational pathway for 25 young men and women which not only furthers their education but develops future employment opportunities – all through the power of football. It provides a diverse skillset set with qualifications ranging from business skills, commercial management skills, marketing, right through to coaching badges.
We are inviting interested applicants aged 17-35, both male and female to join us in Drogheda United Clubhouse at 7.00 pm on Monday evening where the course tutors will roll out a presentation on the course and will be on hand to discuss individually with those thinking of applying.”
The Diploma in Business Administration, which is mapped at QQI Level 4 on the National Framework of Qualifications will feature exclusive football related content designed to give trainees an understanding of the administrative side of running a football club.
The content of this Business programme has been adapted to use football as a tool for participants to learn about the running of a football club including modules such as;
- Commercialisation and Administration of Football
- Football and Community Development
- Running an enterprising activity
- Business Development
- Marketing, Branding and Promotion
- Event Planning, Health and Safety
- Personal Development and Leadership
- Volunteerism
- Financing of Clubs
- Football Coaching
The course which is supported by LMETB will commence in early December, located in The Barbican Centre in Drogheda with just 25 places available.
If you are between 17-35 years old and are interested in learning how football clubs operate while gaining a nationally recognised qualification, this is definitely the course for you.
