FIFA Master 18th Edition: Chapter 1 Leicester

After giving countless self-introductions in the first few weeks and learning about the heritage and history of sport, we knew we were embarking on a journey to leave our own legacy on the FIFA Master course as the 18th Edition. With 25 nationalities, 2 of which are being represented for the first time in Malawi and Mongolia, we knew straight from the start that this year would give us the opportunity to learn from each other and to grow as a unified class in a very unique atmosphere.

During the first 6 weeks of the course, at the International Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University in Leicester, we have covered a variety of topics within the sub modules of Birth of Modern Sport and Professional Sport in Context with Professor Martin Polley. With the first strenuous three hour exam behind us, we look forward to the next area of learning covering the Internationalisation of Sport.

We have been fortunate enough to be visited by several fascinating guest speakers since the beginning of the module. Experts from the world of sport including some of the Alumni of the FIFA Master have shared their valuable insights with us and were very happy to engage with the numerous questions our class is known for asking. The line of ‘interrogation’ often continues outside of the classroom with most speakers joining us for a chat in a more relaxed environment. These discussions are very valuable and we often learn a great deal, especially from the Alumni about their own experiences while a student during the Masters programme.

As well as inside the classroom, an integral part of the course includes the numerous field visits we are privileged to be a part of. After our first trip to the renowned grass of Wimbledon and learning about how William Webb Ellis disregarded the rules and ran with the ball at Rugby School, we have also been fortunate to visit the home of Manchester United FC at Old Trafford Stadium, the National Football Museum, Leicester Tigers and Wembley where we were warmly welcomed by the Vice Chancellor of De Montfort University, Professor Dominic Shellard. Professor Shellard is also a member of the FA Council. The field visits have provided the class with a platform to see how the things we have learnt in class can be implemented in the real world and given us an insight into working in the sports industry.

This well rounded learning experience has so far brought us closer together as a class and we are all very excited for the many experiences that are still yet to come. The Internationalisation of Sport and the numerous group project meetings will be sure to keep us busy for the next few weeks.

Yosuke Kotaki and Sinéad Dowling

Class Representatives

 

The FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport is organized by the CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (Leicester, UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Milan, Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel. In 2017 the FIFA Master was ranked as the No.1 course in Europe for the fifth time by the SportBusiness International global rankings.