Have you just received your Leaving Cert results and have no idea what you’d like to do? Perhaps the Leaving Cert just wasn’t for you and you’re looking for an alternative learning or career pathway? Do you like Football?

If you answered yes to any of the above, a new full-time training course teaching young people the basics of football club administration could be just what you’re looking for!

Shelbourne FC has recently launched a new multi-faceted full-time Business Administration course for early school leavers in partnership with the Dublin & Dun Laoghaire Education & Training Board.

The course is the first of its kind in the country and is central to Shelbourne’s Reds Together community programme. Drogheda United in the Community has just announced plans for a similar course and they have linked with the Louth & Meath Education & Training Board to facilitate this opportunity for local young people.

Both courses are full time, free of charge and are open to male and female participants aged between 17 and 23. There are 25 places available for the course which will be run across a full academic year of 48 weeks and participants may also qualify for a training allowance of up to €200 per week.

You don’t need to be able to play football to join the course but having an interest in football is of course an advantage. The programme is centred on a VTCT Level 2 / QQI Level 4 Diploma in Business Administration and aims to provide participants with the skills and competencies to progress to further or higher education or employment.

The course content relates to the operation of football clubs – basically, everything away from the on-pitch activity. Participants will learn about the business basics of running sports clubs such as match day operations, marketing and commercial activity, communications, club finance and football in the community work.

The content of the programme is centred around the operation of a football club and has been merged with the VTCT Business Diploma course structure to ensure that all VCTC learning outcomes are fully addressed.

Participants can also complete a FAI PDP1 and 2 Coaching certificate course and will have work experience opportunities in local schools and grassroots clubs.

The course uses football as a tool for participants to further their learning through the following modules:
· Commercialisation and administration of football
· Football and community development
· Running an enterprising activity
· Business development
· Marketing, branding and promotion
· Event planning health and safety (match day operations)
· Personal development and leadership
· Volunteerism
· Football Club finance
· Football coaching

Shelbourne Chief Executive Officer David O’Connor said: “Shelbourne FC sees the opportunity for the club to be a vehicle to help young people, not only through football, but through educational and community opportunities. Our players, staff, coaches and fans all come from different backgrounds and though some students and younger people may leave school early, there are always several different pathways for them to continue their development. This course, through the power of football and Shelbourne’s community, offers a brilliant opportunity to help further their education.”

Joanna Byrne, Community Officer with Drogheda United said: “Drogheda United has been active in building links with the local community through delivering various social programmes, particularly in local schools. This new course is an extension of this community work and we are delighted to that the Louth & Meath ETB is supporting the initiative which will provide a unique learning opportunity for young people locally.”

The Shelbourne course which is supported by the DDLETB Baldoyle Training Centre will be located at Liam Rodgers Community Centre in Swords, Dublin and will begin on 27th September, 2021.

The Drogheda United course is supported by the Louth & Meath ETB and will run from The Barbican Centre, Drogheda and is due to start on 25th October 2021. Applications for both courses are now open at www.fetchcourses.ie.