An exciting new education programme is due to start in October in Drogheda targeted at young people who wish to pursue a career in the sports industry and learn about how sports clubs operate.
Drogheda United Football Club and the Louth & Meath Education & Training Board (LMETB) have teamed up to deliver a Diploma in Business Administration (VTCT level 2) course, which will use the powerful attraction of football to engage unemployed people with mainstream education.
The Diploma in Business Administration, which is mapped at QQI Level 4 on the National Framework of Qualifications will feature exclusive football related content designed to give trainees an understanding of the administrative side of running a football club.
The programme forms part of Drogheda United’s community engagement strategy and is a welcome addition to the education landscape in the area.
Speaking to Drogheda’s Community Liaison Officer Joanna Byrne, who has been central in securing and delivering this programme for the town, she commended the current board of Drogheda Utd under the Chairmanship of Conor Hoey highlighting community endeavors like this is what the club want to involved in.
“Playing our part in building and bettering our communities is what The Drogs are passionate about. We are more than just a football club and one of the boards main objectives at present is to develop and strengthen our community links, to give back where we can for the tremendous support we have received over the years.
We are the first LOI Premier Division Club to deliver a course of this kind, and indeed there is nothing like it available elsewhere in the whole North East Region. This is a huge project for the club and it will provide an important educational pathway for 25 young men and women which will not only further their education but also develop future employment opportunities – all through the power of Football”.
Football Association of Ireland Community Development Manager Derek O’Neill said: “The Louth & Meath ETB Training centre has been instrumental in supporting this new course which provides an innovative approach to teaching young people the basics of business administration through the lens of operating a football club. It’s also a great opportunity for Drogheda United to further enhance its presence in the local community by providing an excellent educational opportunity for young people. The learners on the programme will increase the club’s visibility locally and hopefully, some will go on to be excellent grassroots club administrators and volunteers of the future. The FAI League of Ireland department is fully supportive of this development and wishes Drogheda United every success in the delivery of this fantastic initiative.”
Bernie McKevitt, Assistant Manager with LMETB Regional Skills and Training Centre, who are funding this excellent initiative welcomed this new innovative programme. “LMETB are delighted to collaborate with Drogheda United and the FAI in this new innovative programme. The course offers learners a unique opportunity to gain a recognised qualification that can be a stepping-stone in pursuing a career in the business side of the sporting industry.”
The content of this Business programme has been adapted to use football as a tool for participants to learn about the running of a football club including modules such as;
- Commercialisation and Administration of Football
- Football and Community Development
- Running an enterprising activity
- Business Development
- Marketing, Branding and Promotion
- Event Planning, Health and Safety
- Personal Development and Leadership
- Volunteerism
- Financing of Clubs
- Football Coaching
The course which is supported by LMETB will commence on October 25th, located in The Barbican Centre in Drogheda with just 25 places available.
If you are between 17-25 years old and are interested in learning how football clubs operate while gaining a nationally recognised qualification, check out www.fetchcourses.ie to apply and learn more about the course. The reference number for the course is 331696.
Enter the reference number on the fetchcourses website to directly bring up the course.
