FIFA MASTER ALUMNI – WHERE ARE THEY NOW? – SINEAD DOWLING

Picture: Julia Lambrecht, Project Manager with the Scort Foundation and Sinéad Dowling, Project Manager / Communications Lead at the Scort Foundation

 

Sinéad Dowling

Current Position: Project Manager / Communications Lead at the Scort Foundation

Year of graduation: 2018 (18th Edition)

Nationality: Irish

 

What does your current role involve?

I am a Project Manager and Communications Lead with the Scort Foundation in Basel, Switzerland. The Scort Foundation is responsible for the development and administration of the Football Club Social Alliance (FCSA).

The FCSA is a network of professional European football clubs which team up for social change on a global level. It uses the unifying power and values of football to empower young people living in conflict and crisis regions. The partner clubs of the alliance include FC Basel 1893, SV Werder Bremen, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, FK Austria Wien, FC Schalke 04 and 1. FSV Mainz 05. The alliance’s main mission is the Young Coach Education programme which has the aim of educating young women and men to become coaches in grassroots football for children aged 6-12 years old. Through the programme, they become proactive leaders in their communities. For over ten years, Scort and the Football Club Social Alliance have also organised football programmes for children and adolescents with a disability. The disability football programme is made up of two core elements: the Tandem Young Coach Education and the Special Youth Camp.

My role is quite varied within the Foundation covering aspects of project management, communications, monitoring & evaluation and reporting. I was also project manager for the Special Youth Camp 2019. In addition to the six partner clubs, two guest clubs - FC Shakhtar Donetsk and Legia Warsaw - also joined for this year’s camp.

Since joining Scort in July 2018 I have been to modules of the Young Coach Education programme in Rwanda, Vietnam and Tanzania where I was responsible for media and communications. As part of my communications role I edit the annual report and brochure, create and post content for our social media channels, update the website and regularly liaise with other organisations on collaborations regarding online content. Recently I have been working with the Monitoring & Evaluation unit on the analysis of data and report writing.

 

Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?

The FIFA Master has helped me in many ways. Coming from a non-sporting profession before the Masters, the multi-disciplinary approach opened my eyes and mind to the professional and complex world of modern day sport. The opportunity to learn from some of the brightest minds in sport as our lecturers and guest speakers further broadened my outlook and grasp on the current issues facing the sports industry today. The international environment with over 25 different nationalities in our class also gave me the unique opportunity to learn from my peers and develop a deeper knowledge to how sport influences communities and different cultures globally.

 

What advice would you give to future students on the course?

Firstly, I would advise future students to fully immerse themselves in all aspects of the course and embrace every opportunity offered to them. Take the time to engage with and get to know everyone. It is a wonderful opportunity to study alongside peers from across the globe so question them about life and sport in their countries.

Secondly, each semester has its own unique qualities and attributes which contribute to the well-rounded education which we receive throughout the FIFA Master course. I would encourage future students to have an open and curious mind towards the different topics and subjects covered. There will be many opportunities to learn from different experts from the sports industry so be prepared in advance of meetings with guest speakers and lecturers.

Thirdly, I would recommend that members of the class fully explore the culture and surroundings of the three study locations of the course. It is a unique opportunity to experience life in the different locations of Leicester, Milan and Neuchâtel and everything they have to offer. Venture around these three cities and take as many opportunities as possible to experience how different sports play a part in the daily life of these places.  

Finally, become active in the course alumni association (FMA). After graduation, we have the unique opportunity to join a network of alumni from various countries, involved in numerous different sports. The events planned by the FMA committee give the alumni an opportunity to meet and network and make lifelong bonds with each other.

 

FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked No.1 Course in Europe 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019 by the SportBusiness International global rankings.

Organised by CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (United Kingdom), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).

Discover more examples of inspiring FIFA Master alumni career paths by clicking here.