The FIFA Master is a unique 10-month sport (and not solely football...) Master programme, initiated by FIFA, coordinated by CIES, and taught by three prestigious European universities: De Montfort University (Leicester, UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Milan, IT) and Neuchatel University (Neuchatel, CH), in association with the Università della Svizzera italiana.
What is your current professional activity and your involvement in sport?
I am a marketing consultant and an agent to an international ocean rower.
Why did you choose to attend the FIFA/CIES Certificate in Sport Management at NMMU?
NMMU was the only contact institution. To be honest when I first heard it was being hosted by NMMU I was a bit apprehensive since I come from Rhodes and there was always a negative perception of NMMU. I was blown away in the first week because I felt that I was actually learning. The modules are challenging but the instruction is interactive and conducive to the learning experience. The course is well facilitated and I highly recommend the university and the course to prospective students.
What were your expectations before the start of the course? And were they met?
I thought the course would be an easy walk in the park strictly sports management and sports orientated. This was not the case however. The course was extremely informative and educational with certain aspects being applicable to every issue of the professional world.
What would you say are the key strengths of the FIFA/CIES Certificate in Sport Management?
I would say its flexibility and applicability in the real world. Although it is a University course it requires practical thinking.
What benefits (on a personal and/or professional level) did you gain from attending the course?
The marketing aspect and proposal development really helped me narrow down my skills increasing my feeling of confidence enough to compile a brilliant proposal.
What is your best memory/highlight of the course?
There are too many great memories to mention just one. This is as a result of the learning style around the course. But if I had to pick one it would have to be when Prof Berger threw our clay models of the sports training facility into the bin.
Would you recommend the FIFA/CIES Certificate in Sport Management? Why?
I think that anyone hoping to develop themselves in the areas of management and trusting to account of themselves professionally will do wonders for their career by spending the time and money that this course requires. It is a global course and with the collective experience from your class you are destined to achieve great things for your organization. Think of this experience bequeathed to you through this course. NMMU/FIFA/CIES – well done.
CIES (International Centre for Sports Studies), located in Neuchatel, is a private Swiss foundation, affiliated with the University of Neuchatel and created in 1995 by FIFA (under the impetus of its current president, Mr. Joseph S. Blatter), the University of Neuchatel, and the City and Canton of Neuchatel.
CIES specialises in three specific domains: law, sociology and economy of sport, with a view to bring together the sporting and the academic worlds. Privileging a pluri-disciplinary approach, CIES provides a wide range of research, education and consultancy services.