Justin Anderson-Louch, who was awarded the Johan Cruyff Institute and League1 Canada scholarship, is studying the Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona
Justin Anderson-Louch works as Head of Opposition Analyst at Cavalry FC, a professional football club based in Alberta, Canada. A few months ago, Justin was awarded the scholarship offered through a collaboration between Johan Cruyff Institute and League1 Canada. This opportunity allowed him to study the Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona. “This Master gives me a very solid foundation to learn how to manage a football club from all sides of the game and the business,” he explains.
With a strong sports tradition, the football industry in Canada is growing rapidly. A key part of this growth is the transition of amateur players into the professional ranks. League1 Canada has been working for years to become a bridge between these athletes and professional football. In this context, the FIFA World Cup will be held in 2026, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. “With the World Cup approaching, I believe there are areas where I could offer some help, based on the knowledge I’m acquiring through this Master,” says Justin. During the 2025-2026 academic year, Johan Cruyff Institute and League1 Canada will offer more than 200 scholarships to support the academic education and professional development of athletes, coaches, and club staff.
“With the World Cup approaching, I believe there are areas where I could offer some help, based on the knowledge I’m acquiring through this Master,” says Justin.
In this interview, Justin talks about his professional journey in the football industry and his experience in Barcelona studying the Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona at Johan Cruyff Institute.
What motivated you to apply for the Johan Cruyff Institute and League1 Canada scholarship?
A former coach of mine sent me the information about the scholarship. I hadn’t heard about it before, and he suggested it would be a good idea to apply. I did some research, and the fact that the program was based in Barcelona was a big plus. This scholarship is a perfect opportunity to gain training in the football industry and reach the next level. It’s amazing to study football in such an important city for the sport. I was very lucky that my former coach shared the information with me.
Which aspects of the Master do you find most relevant to your role at Cavalry FC?
In many ways. Academically, the content we receive, the people I’m surrounded by, the relationships and networking opportunities have all been great. I would also say that, obviously, living in Barcelona has been a big change in itself—being away from Canada, gaining a different perspective. So overall, the Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona has been an incredible experience so far. I’m very happy with the first half of the program and excited for the second half.
How do you apply the knowledge acquired in the Master to your daily work?
I’d say it’s a bit different because I’m an opposition analyst at my club, so my focus is on the field. However, the content we’ve been given allows me to have an internal perspective on the business side and notice many small details. Since our club is only seven years old, there are many things we can still implement, and I’m learning a lot.
Because we’re a small team, I may be able to contribute ideas and insights. So even if I’m not applying the knowledge in my day-to-day tasks, I can contribute in small ways in the short term. I wouldn’t say it has an immediate impact, but it has definitely given me a broader understanding of the football industry.
How do you think this training could influence your long-term professional development?
I believe it will have a huge impact. With the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico just around the corner, I think there may be short-term opportunities where I can contribute with the knowledge I’m gaining through this Master.
Looking ahead, this program gives me a strong foundation to pursue roles like sporting director or technical director. The Master provides a very solid base to learn how to manage a football club from both the sporting and business perspectives.
I also think that, aside from the networking opportunities, football evolves very quickly, so I’m not exactly sure where I’ll end up. But this program offers a great chance to build a future career and make sure I stay involved in the world of football.
What advice would you give to other football professionals considering this type of academic opportunity?
Especially to Canadians, I’d say it’s important to understand that you don’t have to be directly on the pitch to work in the football industry. There are many opportunities off the field, on the business side, that allow you to stay involved. That’s something we still don’t fully grasp in Canada, as our professional football league is very new and the women’s league is just getting started. A lot of people still don’t understand the entire business behind it.
The most important thing is that opportunities exist everywhere. Programs like the Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona help you understand where you fit into the football world and where you might want to go. That would be my advice for Canadians.
But in general, for anyone, this is an excellent program to develop knowledge, build a network with influential people in the industry, and learn from experienced professionals. You have to make the most of this opportunity, because you never know who will end up where—or where you might end up. It’s about building connections and applying what you learn here.
