Dr Firoz Bhaiyat’s Post

Exciting News! We are thrilled to announce that the UA92 Business of Football degree has officially been validated and will commence in September 2025. But what makes this degree truly stand out? Conversations started about a year ago when Dr Firoz Bhaiyat Josh Longman and I began exploring how we could create a football business degree that not only meets the demands of the industry but goes beyond the standard offerings. Through extensive research, we discovered a common theme: while many professionals in football are experts in their specific areas, there’s a growing need for graduates and existing employees with a more comprehensive understanding of the football industry. In response, we’ve developed a degree that provides an in-depth, 360-degree view of the business side of football. This degree covers a number of modules focused on areas such as leadership, football governance, football operations, community development, sustainability, football law and ethics, talent identification, data analysis (on and of of the field) and much more emphasising the crucial connection between on-field performance and off-field club management. This new addition to our portfolio complements our already well-regarded Sports Management degree, which offers a broader perspective on sport. To learn more about this innovative business of football degree, hit the link below. We’re also proud to share some outstanding feedback from the recent National Student Survey, where our students rated us among the best in the UK in several areas: ·      How good are teaching staff at explaining things – 100% ·      Does the course challenge you to achieve your best work – 100% ·      Extent you have chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth – 94.4% ·      How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to – 94.4% These results, along with the validation of our new degree, are a testament to the incredible team we have here at UA92. A huge thank you to everyone involved, Josh Longman Jayne Lawton Natalie Walker - Craig Tom Jones and our dedicated associate lecturers who have contributed at different stages throughout the year. If you’re interested in learning more about our unique offerings in Sports Management and the Business of Football, don’t hesitate to get in touch. #OneTeam #FiredUp #DeliberatelyDifferent #Culture #RightPeopleOnTheBus #Football #HigherEducation #Impact Emma Gaskill AATQB, MAAT, PGCE level 7, BSc (Hons) Kelly Henley Professor Gary Pritchard PhD Sara Prowse Gareth Smith Ian Turner, FCIPD EFL (English Football League) The Football Association Colin Bridgford Paul Bell Marisa Ewers Pete Ackerley Chris Brindley MBE Jon Dutton OBE Raj Athwal Ryan McKnight Dean Williams Sam Mackenzie Robert Scott Sofia Thomas Dan Plumley Warren Heyman Simon Dow Andrew Webster MSc Nathan Thompson Michael Antrobus Nick Craig Aaron Saxton Dr Eoin Murray (PhD) Katharina Koall

It is cool when my professional and family life collide. At the weekend I watched my nephew (well, my cousin Michael Wilson's eldest son) James Wilson score a late equaliser in the Edinburgh derby. At 17 and having now scored his second goal for the first team in two appearances, he is living the young footballer dream. It is important to recognise that this transition from Academy star (chased by a lot of Scottish, English and European clubs) to B-Team and now first team is certainly not easy. Even for someone like James who is thriving, there have been difficult periods and the future is still uncertain. I have been lucky enough to do some research examining this transition in a football academy with Scott Swainston and Martin I. Jones. Scott used really cool methods - organising weekly video diaries with academy players awaiting their professional contracts over 40 weeks. The research revealed how crucial psychological factors are - specifically how young players handle adversity, maintain motivation, and balance social support systems. Most interestingly, it showed that successful academy graduates weren't just the most talented, but those who developed strong coping mechanisms and had stable support networks. To every parent and young player out there pursuing this dream: while only about 0.012% of academy players make it to professional football, this research shows it's not just about natural talent. It's about building resilience, having strong support systems, and maintaining that delicate balance between dedication and wellbeing. Watching James embody these findings has been brilliant (as a psychologist ... and more importantly, uncle!). Check out this interview with James in an article by Fraser Wilson which touches on some some of the issues we found in our paper - including the importance of support of senior players; to managing expectations and making tough decisions about whether to move; to the reality of having to go home after the game and do his homework! https://lnkd.in/enthU-mi #HeartsFC #EdinburghDerby #FootballAcademy #YouthDevelopment #ScottishFootball #FootballFamily #HMFC"

🚀 The Future of Football: Where Education Meets the Beautiful Game As we gear up for the World Football Summit Europe, it's time to address a game-changing topic: the role of education in shaping the future of football. #WFSEurope The stats don't lie: Only 0.5% of academy players make it to professional football 54% of former pros face financial difficulties within 5 years of retirement Players with higher education enjoy 12% longer careers on average These numbers tell a story - one where talent alone isn't enough. The future of football lies in creating well-rounded athletes who are prepared for success both on and off the pitch. At Sophia High School High School, we believe that raising the standards of education for youth footballers isn't just an option - it's a necessity. Here's why: Competitive Advantage: Clubs offering top-tier education are winning the talent recruitment game. Career Longevity: Educated players have more options and adaptability throughout their careers. Personal Development: Education builds resilience, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Future-Proofing: As the sports industry evolves, educated athletes are better positioned to transition into emerging roles. We're excited to dive deep into this topic at our upcoming workshop: "Maximising Talent Recruitment: Education Programs in Football Academies" 📅 Date: September 19th 🕐 Time: 11:30-12:30 📍 Location: Workshop Area, WFS Europe Join us for an interactive session where we will: Explore innovative education models for academies Hear from directors of world-class football academies Discuss strategies for balancing athletic and academic excellence Network with industry leaders shaping the future of football The beautiful game is evolving. Are you ready to be part of this education revolution? Don't miss out on this opportunity to be at the forefront of football's next big play. See you there! ⚽️ Daniel Turner Alberto Iglesias Vanessa Temple Fernando Darcie Ángel J. Martínez López #FutureOfFootball #FootballEducation #WFSEurope #TalentDevelopment #SophiaHighSchool

In Focus: Ahead In Sport - Be A Student Of The Game Offering a traditional University pathway via a modern approach to delivery this three-year virtual programme was specifically designed for those who are, or aspiring to be, involved in the football industry.

I've spent 500+ hours studying: • Sporting directors • With tight budgets • Still finding undervalued talent Use my research to get ahead. Here is a 4 part framework for punching above your weight with Cristoph Spycher of BSC Young Boys as your professor [PT.1]: 1. Continuity "Ever since I arrived in Bern, there has always been talk of continuity." "The coach is incredibly important. But it cannot be that a coach determines the overall policy of the club." "Stability must be possible that does not stand or fall with one person." "I need a leadership team that works without fear of losing authority. It would be completely wrong to constantly fear losing your job." "In order to have sporting success, we primarily need consistency - in every match and in every training session." 2. Commitment [Stick to strategy] "It's not about recruiting the team exclusively from your own academy. But the focus is always on our own ranks 1st." "Every talent has its own story & the promotion is sometimes very individual. We have to find the perfect path at the club." "Football talent can be recognized early on, at 14 or 15 it is often clear whether someone has the potential for a great career." "But there are so many factors that play a role, such as physical development, that have not yet been defined." "We want to train our own talents and give them the chance to assert themselves with us." "That's why we don't aim for a partnership with a club from a top league. Foreign players are only interesting for us if they help us in the first team." "We really want a younger team." "We don't need players who say at some point they signed the best contract of their career with YB." "It's about strengthening the mentality, showing character." "I need players who are hungry and want to get better." "The Swiss league is probably the best training league for clubs from England, Germany, France or Italy." "In scouting you can do a lot with video these days." "The video analysis is sufficient for an initial assessment of a player." "I strongly advise not to underestimate experience. A team needs a good age structure, a sensible mix." "Veterans can be very helpful in helping young players mature alongside them." [Sport, Watson, Nau] = Each week, I send one email with principles that sharp decision makers in football use to gain an edge. It's always short [5 minutes or less] & comes every Saturday morning. Join 1K+ leaders here: https://saturdaysd.gr8.com

📣 We are pleased to announce that FC Revera 1908 has become a Partner in the research project entitled "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥". This is another aspect linking Football Development with the Club in a close collaboration. FC Revera will support the promotion of the research project through communication, joining in the distribution of surveys through internal channels, ensuring the collection of further data. FDI is strongly helping to build the Club's visibility in the European scene, so the Club's crest will be on the official report of the project, which will be sent to several thousand Club representatives. In addition, FC Revera will be able to use all the data collected in the survey for its own purposes. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐅𝐃𝐈 FDI deals intensively with education, offering a proprietary educational system, but also analysing the educational offer of global and national federations, as well as commercial institutions. FDI is currently conducting a research project entitled "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥". ▶ 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭? People from all over the world with experience (any seniority) in the following types of organisations, active in the football sector: 🔹 Club 🔹 continental federation (e.g. FIFA or UEFA) 🔹 national federation 🔹 league organisation 🔹 educational institution 🔹 university 🔹 consultancy institution ❗ The research project is also open to people who have other types of organisations in their professional history than those listed or who do not yet have experience in the football world. There is one condition: the persons mentioned should have a track record of using various forms of education in football (events & educational programmes). ▶ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠? We have defined two educational fields: 🔹 𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 All educational measures required by the regulations of the federations and football associations as well as an Employer. We are talking about various licensing obligations, credited conferences or internal trainings. 🔹 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 A collection of all events and programmes selected independently and freely by an individual person. These can be webinars, conferences, courses, educational platforms, advisory sessions, mentoring or internships. ▶ 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 🔹 characteristics of Participants' educational activities 🔹 perception and level of current educational offer 🔹 educational preferences and visions of high quality education in the football area 🗳️ 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 Join people from 14 countries and complete the questionnaire (link in comments).

💫 Sporting Stars: We sit down with sporting stars around the world, transforming the attitudes, values and ambitions developed through lifelong competition to the classroom. We spoke with Austin Beech, 2022 graduate from Durham University Business School. 🏀 🎓 𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗻: Austin's basketball journey began competitively at age 12 and started playing all year-round once he reached high school. He played four years for Adelphi University's Division 2 team in New York, followed by a year at Durham University and a professional season with Belfast Star Basketball Club. “Throughout my journey I have grown tremendously as a person, gaining invaluable lessons, skills, and experiences that make me who I am today.” 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆? 📈 “Studying in higher education and training for competitions takes up a lot of time and requires adaptability. Most of my time was spent going back and forth between training and classes, finishing one and running straight to the other.” 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻, 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘀? 🤩 He explained that he finds similarities between business and sport, both being highly competitive. However, sports provided Austin with valuable lessons and benefits that have aided his journey in business. “Both worlds crossover, and I have had to push myself as a professional and an athlete.” Read more about his story in our article below!👇 https://lnkd.in/g_cydYuw #BlueSkyThinking #Olympics2024 #SportingStars #Sport2024

Another awesome post by The Athletic with Jacob Tanswell looking into the realities of life after the academy. It reminds me of the few football clubs I would go into when I was a Student Revruitment Officer for the University of Stirling to try recruit for the men's scholarship programme. I'd look into the eyes of U18s of League 1 and 2 clubs and see a mixture of disinterest, genuine interest and feigned disinterest in the eyes of the players. The genuinely interested had a couple of questions straight after the presentation, the disinterested ones left as quickly as possible confident they wouldn't need my option but the toughest ones were the feigned disinterest players. Those ones that followed the disinterested ones out the door but slowly, with lingering looks at the final slide and me. You could tell they wanted to ask questions but maybe caught in the worry that they would be seen as not committed by other players or the coaches. The ones who had the internal worry mentioned in the article that, they knew they no longer enjoyed football but didn't want to be seen to be wasting an opportunity millions dream of. Academy football is remarkably pressure filled. There aren't really any other relevant examples in other industries. There aren't thousands of 16 year olds heart broken every year when they are told that accountancy will not be an option for them and they may not get another shot in their lifetime to do it full time. And sure, Playermaker can certainly help clubs with the exit process. One player mentions getting a video package to take to clubs, why not also give them a data package filled with technical and physical metrics that show exactly who they are? I love sport, I want my kids to play sport and I experienced the joy, heartbreak of maybe not reaching my potential and subsequent loss of love for my own personal sport. As long as parents, coaches and wellbeing staff contiue to educate ourselves and be open to the feelings and concerns of young players, we can keep more interested in sport when the inevitable release day comes. #football #soccer #academy https://lnkd.in/eV6JF8ED

What Should Be the Focus for African Football Academies? As African football academies continue to develop the next generation of football stars, there are critical areas we must focus on to ensure our players can compete at the highest levels in Europe and beyond. While raw talent is abundant, honing that talent requires a more structured approach. Here are some key areas of focus and improvement: Mentality The mindset of a player is everything. Instilling a winning mentality early on—encouraging resilience, discipline, and professionalism—helps players maintain focus under pressure. The mentality gap often differentiates good players from great players, and in order to succeed in Europe, African players need to be mentally tough both on and off the pitch. Psychology Player psychology plays an essential role in dealing with the highs and lows of football. Training young athletes to handle challenges, such as injury setbacks, competition, and adaptation to new environments, is vital. A strong mental game is just as important as physical skill, and psychological support should be embedded in academy curriculums. Football Education Beyond physical ability, players need to have a deep tactical understanding of the game. Focusing on football IQ—reading the game, positioning, decision-making, and understanding different football systems—can make players more versatile and adaptable to different styles of play, something essential in European football. Exposure Providing regular exposure to competitive environments outside the continent is crucial. European youth players are constantly tested in high-stakes matches, and African academies must seek similar opportunities for their players to gain experience against top-tier talent. Participation in international tournaments, collaborations with European clubs, and regular talent showcases are key to bridging the gap. Facilities & Infrastructure Investment in quality facilities and modern training methods is equally important. Players in Europe often have access to state-of-the-art training facilities, recovery tools, and advanced data analysis to improve performance. African academies should strive to provide players with access to similar resources. This is why our newly formed consortium is set to be a game changer. We are opening the doors to partners who are ready to embark on the journey of establishing Africa’s biggest Football Centre of Excellence. 🌍⚽ We believe this initiative will redefine talent development across the continent, providing young players with everything they need to compete on a global stage—from world-class training to invaluable international exposure. This is an opportunity to be part of Africa’s football revolution. 🚀 #AfricanFootball #FootballAcademies #TalentDevelopment #FootballPsychology #SportsManagement #CentreOfExcellence #PartnershipOpportunities

I always enjoy talking to academy directors. They play a key role in the club. 👉 Here are some thoughts for clubs that want to invest more in academies: ☑ Building Identity Takes Time You want to build a new identity rooted in the academy while striving for trophies? It's challenging. Patience is key. ☑ Bridge the Gap The developmental phase between ages 18 and 21 is very important. This is the sweet spot where players can be fine-tuned to integrate into the first team. It's about strategic planning and foresight. ☑ Spotting Hidden Gems Trust the scouting process. Good scouts identify talents from unexpected places. Talent knows no borders. Talent is universal. Don't be swayed by passports. ☑ Cost-Efficient Choices The academy isn't just about developing players. It's a cost-effective strategy. Clubs have the choice. Do you want to invest in the academy or spend big on established players? Developing homegrown talent can save millions in transfer fees. ☑ Value in Youth vs. Big Signings Long-term investments in academies can yield dividends. Both on the pitch and in the balance sheet. ✅ Thoughts The success of football academies lies in a balanced approach blending: 🔹 patience 🔹 foresight 🔹 scouting acumen 🔹 strategic investment ❓ ❓ Which club do you like because of the academy? #footballbusiness #growth #strategy