The inaugural Football Industries MBA vs MSc Sports Business and Management Football Match
The inaugural Football Industries MBA (FIMBA) vs MSc Sports Business and Management 11-a-side football match took place at Prenton Park, the home of Tranmere Rovers FC, on Wednesday 18 May. Organised by Dr Daniel Parnell, Senior Lecturer in Sport Business, and Dr David Cockayne, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, the social event marked the end of a successful academic year for both students and academics.
Captains Luke Johnson (England/MSc Sports Business and Management) and Erik Alves (USA/FIMBA) led their teams well and the game was closely contested with both sides creating a number of chances. Despite 19 shots at goal by MSc Sports Business and Management and 8 from FIMBA, it was the FIMBA team who brought home the win! The winning goal was scored by Joseph Saba (Lebannon/FIMBA) after being played through perfectly by Joao Barros (Brazil/FIMBA) ending the game at a respectable 1-0.
The opportunity for the two programmes to take part in the football match came around due to the ongoing relationship and engagement which has strengthened in recent years between the Management School’s Centre for Sports Business holders with Tranmere Rovers.
Speaking about the day, Dr David Cockayne said:
“This was a great experience for our students. Across both teams there were students from 12 different countries playing, and for many this was their first experience playing at a professional football club stadium.
“Context is so important when studying any subject and this experience provides our students with great memories in addition to a powerful illustration of some of the facilities and activities that define a traditional English professional football club.
“The game was also an excellent way to engage with an important community-driven organisation that plays a significant role in the Wirral and Liverpool City Region.”
The match between the two programmes coincided with the launch of the ‘Tranmere Internship Programme’ which has been set up recently between the club and the Centre for Sports Business through Dr David Cockayne.
This year, 14 students will have the opportunity to gain experience into the business and operations of football between now and September, with the projects also forming the basis of the student’s final dissertation, research project or work-based project; a differentiator for our programmes and another authentic learning experience for our students.