FIFA Master: Milan highlights

After a great Humanities of Sport module in Leicester and a fantastic New Year's Eve, which many students celebrated together, the FIFA Master class arrived in Milan (Italy) with great enthusiasm for the start of the Sports Management module at SDA Bocconi.

In the last month, we have focused on Sport Leadership, Organization and Sport Finance. The philosophy of this module is focused on us, the students, in order to achieve our maximum potential by exploiting every single moment of our studies, both in the classroom with our professors and with guest speakers and field visits. Observing the professional approach of many leading sports organizations at firsthand is a core element of the module. The timetable is designed to help us see the theories we have studied put into practice with specially arranged cultural visits and match day experiences.

One of the most enjoyable experiences so far was the company visit to Vero Volley Consortium in Monza. Vero Volley hosted us at their home, the PalaIper, which is a very well managed sports centre and an example of cooperation between a sports organization and public administrative body. The city mayor and Alessandra Marzari (President of the Vero Volley Consortium) welcomed the class and introduced us to the world of Vero Volley.

From the start, we had the opportunity to talk to the President of the Consortium, coaches and members of their scientific committee. We also had the unique chance to meet with their radio manager. Yes, Vero Volley has a private radio station! We also had the privilege of playing a volleyball game on the main court where the “team of champions” usually play. This amazing visit left us with unforgettable memories.

A very important and valuable aspect of this first part of the management module has been the programme of guest speakers. For example, the former national and international winning Italian volleyball player Pasquale Gravina met with the class to share personal experiences of leadership and playing at a professional level. This fascinating talk emphasized the importance of motivation and commitment for a team to be able to reach common goals and objectives.

However, the module has not only been about volleyball. We have also been challenged to understand the working conditions influencing the Italian Calcio and Serie A. Marco Brunelli, the Chief Executive of Lega Calcio Seria A, explained to us, as FIFA Master Students and future managers, what we should take into consideration when facing serious situations and which require difficult decisions. His lecture also helped to explain, how relationships work between national associations, UEFA, FIFA and other international bodies. These important topics were later expertly illustrated by Francesca Sanzone and Alberto Zamboni, two FIFA Master alumni currently part of FIGC (the Italian FA), when they came to talk to us about the UEFA licensing system and financial fair play.

We have also been able to learn of the importance of cultural and social projects for sporting organizations. Ms Nicoletta Flutti from Inter FC gave a lecture regarding the Inter Campus. This excellent initiative currently delivers humanitarian programmes in twenty two different countries and provides opportunities for children to play sport from all over the world.

Further classroom based sessions were to be followed with an astonishing experience at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium San Siro TIM cup game between AC Milan and Udinese..We had the amazing opportunity as special VIP guests to see the organization and management of AC Milan in action, literally just a few minutes before kick-off. Here, we could fully experience the tension inside the changing rooms, soak up the stadium atmosphere and walk out onto the pitch and sit on the players bench! This special evening finished with Italian food and wine in the stadium executive lounge.

A few days later we were welcomed to one of the biggest and most modern TV studios in Europe, thanks to a visit to the operations centre of SKY TV. The day included a meeting with the head of editorial, a tour of the studios, lectures on digital sports rights and the organizational structure of the company.

With such a hectic programme of teaching it is sometimes difficult to find time to fully explore Milan. Therefore, the class was grateful to SDA Bocconi for kindly organizing a guided tour which started at Duomo, passed by Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, stopped at the famous La Scala and finished at the Castello Sforzesco.

As we settle into our studies in Milan, it is clear that what brings us together and makes us such a great team, are not just the field visits, classes and guest speakers, but the famous Italian aperitivo, during which we can enjoy the milanese atmosphere, discuss different topics and really get to know each other.

The adventure continues!

Helena and Gianluca