Seven graduates from the online programs share their work in the sports industry and their academic experience at Johan Cruyff Institute
At the latest graduation ceremony for Johan Cruyff Institute’s online programs, a new generation of professionals has prepared to contribute to the development of the sports industry. This cohort includes students from countries as diverse as Zambia, Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands, Finland, France, Belgium, England, and Saudi Arabia.
In this article, we share seven stories of graduates from the Master in Football Business Online and Master in Sport Business Online programs. All of them expanded their knowledge of the sports industry by combining theory and practice. Despite coming from different parts of the world and various professional backgrounds, these graduates share a common goal: contributing to the growth and professionalization of the sector.
Beauty Katebe
Founder of Beka Football Club
Beka FC is a community football club in Zambia with a social mission: using sport as a tool to take children off the streets. Its founder, Beauty Katebe, joined Johan Cruyff Institute seeking tools to professionalize her project.
“The Master in Football Business Online helped me grow the club. It was a very interesting experience because I completed the program while continuing my responsibilities at Beka FC. The master helped me grow professionally, and now I can work more effectively on the club’s project. I had very important experiences: during my internship at the Football Association of Zambia, I had the opportunity to meet FIFA President Gianni Infantino.”
Mark Parker
Technical Director at Langley United Soccer Association
“I come from the technical side of football, and now I am moving toward the business side. The Master in Football Business Online has taught me a lot, and I am impressed with the results,” explains Mark Parker, who has extensive experience in developing Canadian football.
He has worked both at clubs and in national programs, including the men’s U-17 national team, with which he won Olympic medals. About his academic experience, he highlights: “The teaching staff has been absolutely fantastic. Tutors, professors, and guest speakers dedicate their time to students and guide you throughout the process.”
Lars Verdoodt
Commercial Manager at OH Leuven
“I was looking for a program that would give me a deeper theoretical foundation in business in general, and specifically in football,” says Lars Verdoodt, current Commercial Manager at OH Leuven, a Belgian football club.
This led him to the Master in Football Business Online, which allowed him to incorporate tools applicable to his daily work: “The program is challenging, which was exactly what I was looking for. It provides sufficiently deep theory on every specific area of football business. I am very satisfied with the content of the entire program.”
Andrew Penn
Club Secretary Assistant at Manchester United
Andrew Penn has a long-standing career in English football. Before his current role at Manchester United, he worked at Stoke City FC, Blackburn Rovers FC, and The Football Association.
Despite his experience, he explains how the Master in Football Business Online boosted his professional development: “This program helped me expand my knowledge and apply it to my work. It improved my technical understanding in areas like data science and allowed me to have more informed conversations with other departments within the club.”
Javier Villagarcía
Correspondent in Lyon for EFE News Agency
The goal of Javier Villagarcía in pursuing the Master in Sport Business Online was to specialize in marketing and sponsorship to strengthen his career as a correspondent for EFE News Agency. “The program provided me with tools to enter the sports industry and knowledge I didn’t have, especially in the area of strategy. This will help me transition from the editorial world to communication and marketing,” he explains.
He also highlights the flexibility of the online format: “As a journalist, I don’t have regular office hours. Being able to choose my schedule for completing assignments and attending webinars was excellent.”
Eva Aguirre
Sports Broadcaster at Movistar Plus+ (Former Rugby Player)
At 30 years old, Eva Aguirre has an outstanding career in professional rugby: she is a three-time European champion in Rugby XV and a two-time winner of Spain’s Liga Iberdrola.
She joined Johan Cruyff Institute thanks to The Cruyff Athlete Fund scholarship, through which she completed the Master in Sport Business Online. “The courses they offer are very interesting and up to date with the needs of the sports field,” she notes. She also values the online format: “Being able to study at any time, using a simple and intuitive platform, made it much easier.”
Lars Carlier
Coach and Program Developer at Dutch Total Soccer
Lars Carlier has worked in the football industry both in the Netherlands, his home country, and in the United States, where he currently resides and works as a coach and program developer at Dutch Total Soccer.
“The Master in Sport Business Online has helped me see sports from a more professional perspective. Before, I focused on organizing sports activities for children, but now I also consider the business side of sports, including long-term planning and strategic management.”
