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Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT
Interview with

Derek Parker | graduate 2020

What is your current professional activity? And your involvement in sport
Economic Officer, Embassy of France in Port of Spain. Currently involved in the organisation and promotion of recreational football among a select group of over-40s.

Why did you choose to study the FIFA/CIES Programme in Sport Management at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus?
To deepen my understanding of the management of Sport and equip myself for entry into the field.

What were your expectations before the start of the course? And… were they met?
Yes, all of them. I expected, for example, to move from the point of seeing sport purely as a fan to approaching it through the eyes of an Administrator. This expectation was certainly met.

What would you say are the key strengths of the UWI/FIFA/CIES Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management?
Blend of face-to-face and virtual classes, the practical dimension (as opposed to purely theoretical) of the content, and the applicability to real-world situations.

What benefits (on a personal and/or professional level) did you gain from attending the course?
Deeper understanding of the sport industry, valuable contacts in the sporting world, friendships, a better appreciation for the concept of diversity in sports

How have the courses offered by the programme aided in developing your knowledge, competencies, and skills?
By equipping me with a far better understanding of every aspect of the Sport industry as covered in the course curriculum.

How has the programme contributed to your professional growth and employability?
The new knowledge and understandings have given me the self-confidence to volunteer more and to offer myself for managerial service in the field of Sport.

What is your best memory/highlight of the course?
- Collectively, the nightly on-line classes where most of my learning took place
- The visit to the Home of Football in Couva
- Working on my final project for Facilities Management. That exercise was personal.

Would you recommend the UWI/FIFA/CIES Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management? Why?
Absolutely. This programme is the perfect academic complement to the interest, exposure and practical experience held by many sport enthusiasts wishing to serve as Managers.