Real Business - The Champion of UK Enterprise

Programme gives help to sports entrepreneurs

By Catherine Woods, published 1 year ago in Leadership.

The university’s sports entrepreneurship expert, Karen Bill, and Lorna Collins, director of FlyingStart Programmes at the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship, will work with Wolves to create the FlyingStart Programme for Sports Business.

It will be the first of its kind in the UK and will provide a series of specialist workshops with football-related enterprise challenges and a sports business focus.

Collins says: “We’re very excited about this new FlyingStart Programme. It addresses a burgeoning area of enterprise that hasn’t been directly supported before.

“Together with partners, we will deliver a specialist programme for current students, graduates and members of the football community who wish to start businesses in the area of social entrepreneurship in sport.”

The 12-month programme will be free for 60 participants, and 50 per cent of the places will be designated for West Midlands participants. Each participant will workshop their business concept with a view to getting their enterprise up and running by March 2010. They’ll also receive their own personal mentor.

Matt Grayson, head of marketing and communications for Wolverhampton Wanderers, notes: “With the development of football in the UK, and sport in general, there are lots of opportunities for ambitious young business people. We’re delighted that Wolves are the first football club in the country to support a scheme of this type, which will provide practical help to the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

Related articlesManagement tips from Fulham boss Roy HodgsonControlling costs in a sports businessRugby superstar Will Greenwood on his move from bruises to businessPicture source