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Thursday, February 18, 1999 |
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Lawrie McMenemy, Northern Ireland football manager, is inviting professional sportsmen and sportswomen to think of the future by returning to learning. He will be hosting the first of two road shows about a new qualification, the Certificate in the Management of Professional Sport, which is being held at the Queens Park Rangers ground in Loftus Road today. The qualification has been developed by Futures in Sport, a joint venture between the universities of Greenwich and Central Lancashire. The aim of the course is to equip professional sports people with a wide range of practical business skills in sports management. Dean Holdsworth of Bolton FC is one of the first professional players to enrol for the certificate. He explains his decision to return to learning: "I want to stay in football and management is something that really appeals to me. This course will help me in the future whatever I do." He will study law, finance, staff development, marketing, and IT skills. TV programmes transmitted on the BSkyB Sports channels, workbooks and personal tutoring are part of the course. Lawrie McMenemy says: "Never before have there been so many opportunities for sportsmen and women to remain involved in sport after retiring from the game. I believe that the course will be of benefit in both finding the right management opportunity and successfully continuing in the business." He is chair of an advisory panel which ensures that the course meets the needs of sport. Sports Minister Tony Banks MP has lent his support to Futures in Sport, saying: "This is a tremendous initiative. We've gained great pleasure from sportsmen and women but all too often, as they get older, they are left with little future in the commercial world. This course offers a very positive way forward." Futures in Sport has also attracted support from such top names as Olympic silver medallists Roger Black, veteran National Hunt jockey Richard Dunwoody, former England cricket captain David Gower, Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew and the All Party Parliamentary Football Committee. Lawrie McMenemy and Ken Bruce, Chief Executive of Futures in Sport have also announced an intention to establish a new Sports Education Foundation. Leading players associations, including the Professional Rugby Players Association, the Professional Cricketers' Association, the Professional Golfers' Association, and the Jockeys Employment and Training Scheme have signed a statement of intent to establish the fund. It will assist sportsmen and sportswomen to undertake full or part-time education to enable them to obtain employment opportunities for career development during or on ceasing their sporting career. The Chief Executive of Futures in Sport, who is chair of a working group setting up the Sports Education Foundation, Ken Bruce says: "our initiative is appropriately named and it will provide the foundation for alternative careers for sports men and women." 2-30 - 6PM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1999 SPONSORS LOUNGE, QUEENS PARK RANGERS FC, LOFTUS ROAD, SHEPHERDS BUSH, LONDON, W12 2-30 - 6PM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1999 GREAT ROOM, TOM FINNEY STAND, PRESTON NORTH END FC, DEEPDALE, PRESTON |
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