Football Development

This module will provide you with the opportunity to explore the concepts and theories which underpin football development by engaging in real-world learning experiences which are aligned to the module and assessment. This will provide you with a deeper understanding of the purpose and delivery of football activities across the local and national landscape of England and the associated challenges faced by agencies, organisations and stakeholders tasked with delivering football at all levels.

This module provides the opportunity to develop a strategic understanding of football development in order to apply the concepts and theories and develop appropriate responses to ‘real world’ football development challenges and issues. Football Development is a growing area of employment for sports graduates, with a range of positions being offered by Local Authorities, professional football clubs and National Governing Bodies (NGBs). Developing an understanding of how concepts and theories can be applied within the industry is therefore key to developing employability in this field. As part of this module, students will have the opportunity to formulate their own approaches and responses to specific targets on current FA strategy.

This module will introduce you to the broader sport business concepts that underpin, impact on and influence grassroots football development. You will also gain understanding of the wider business context that development practitioners operate within, preparing you for future leadership roles in the football development industry.

This module is designed to develop your awareness and understanding of fundamental concepts and current challenges relating to equality, diversity, inclusion (E,D&I) and safeguarding in football and their role in football development. You will be introduced to overarching legislation, for example The Equality Act 2010 and Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and will explore how key policy and law impacts on and is implemented in football development.

Evidence based practice in football development is crucial in ensuring long term sustainability, value for money and to gain a full and frank understanding of a variety of interventions, projects and programmes. This module will give you an understanding of the current landscape of M&E in football development and enable you to explore and develop new ideas for research and development. You will learn about the current context for research and evidence in the football development industry, and its place and importance to successful delivery and achievement of strategic goals. You will develop a critical understanding of approaches to M&E in the field and draw upon key areas of theory and practice to develop an analytical framework. You will learn about a variety of M&E and research approaches available to both football development and academic research in this field and consider how to apply and critique them through your own experiences and professional practice.

Graduates with experience of working in the football development industry field have a much higher chance of success in the job market once they leave University. This work-based learning module is designed to enable you to develop as a lifelong learner, allowing you to apply your academic learning and knowledge to ‘real world’ practice thorough a placement in a recognised organisation involved in football development activity (e.g. County FA, Community Club Organisation, Local Council or educational establishment). This will enable you to critically reflect on and improve the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you will put into practice in your professional / working life. Your placement will be supplemented through a series of online learning activities and the guidance of a workplace mentor to support your professional development.