Preparing to enter the FIFA Master
This September, I will embark on the journey of a lifetime as the Candidate for Greece and Australia in the 22nd edition of the prestigious FIFA Master.
Earlier this year, I was humbled and privileged to be admitted to the The FIFA Master of International Sports Management, Law and Humanities alongside 31 other students from around the world. My classmates are from every corner of the world; hailing from the sporting industries from South Korea to Honduras, Mongolia to Canada, Nigeria to Uzbekistan, Italy to Peru. I’ll be representing both Australia and Greece in what is truly the most global activity I will have ever been involved in.
The course begins with the Humanities module at De Montfort University in Leicester in the United Kingdom on the 16th of September 2021. It then is followed by the Management module at the highly prestigious SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, Italy, before concluding at the University of Neuchatel in Switzerland in mid July 2022.
I thought I’d write this article detailing my experience applying for the course, going through each stage and eventually being accepted into the course.
Motivation to apply for the FIFA Master
I have always held international career aspirations. Travelling a lot through my childhood, the prospect of living overseas was something I aspired to. When I exited university, I started my own marketing agency which firmly grounded me in my adopted home city Perth and therefore limited my chances of making a short-term international career. I thoroughly enjoyed my time running Pryzm, but eventually, the thought in the back of my mind became an itch, then an urge and finally, something that could no longer be ignored.
I’ve achieved so much in my career I never imagined. I’m the General Manager of Marketing & Ticketing at Glory at 28 years old, a feat I know an 18 year old Harley would be in awe of. My career thus far has energised me; I’m highly motivated with big aspirations and dreams that I see as highly achievable. I still have a lot of hard work ahead of me.
For me, the timing is right to turn my domestic success into an international career. I don’t just want to be a great West Australian marketer - I want to become a multifaceted professional in international sport. I’ve lived 28 happy years in Australia but at the end of the day, we’re just a little island with 0.3% of the world’s population with 1.7% of the world’s GDP. It’s time for me to venture out, live in a new place and open my mind; an opportunity the FIFA Master allows me to do.
FIFA Master is excellently regarded and allows me to live in three different countries. I have an insatiable desire to learn more about the world of sports administration and this course takes me right to the coalface of major global organisations in European and Global sports. It allows me to network with likeminded people for 9 months and it will challenge me to change my pre-existing, Australian-based beliefs about the world of sports.
Applying for the FIFA Master
In December 2020, the notification of applications becoming open came through on my Facebook and I felt the flame light inside me. After six years of pondering what if, this time I was going to go for it.
The application process is long, filled with many questions. The key themes of this question included:
Educational Background & Knowledge of Language
Sports and Non-Sports Interests
International Experience
Work Experience
However the most important part of the application were the three essays. In short, these were:
Identify the most critical challenge facing sport leaders in the coming decade. (500 words)
What are your reasons for applying to the FIFA Master? (300 words)
What in your previous experiences makes you confident you’ll succeed in the FIFA Master? (300 words)
Next is funding. I had extensive savings so was able to pay for the course outright. I understand this isn’t the case for most people - I recommend if you’re applying to look at scholarships through your football confederations (AFC, CONCACAF etc.) and government.
Finally, the process required:
Two references: One academic and One professional
My Curriculum Vitae
High School Certificate & University Bachelor
High School & University Transcripts
Passport
My application was submitted by the due date of 8th of January 2020.
The Interview
After a month, I received an email informing me I had made it through to the next stage, with no further action needed. Then in March, I received an email notifying I had been accepted to the final stage. I was thrilled - and so, I prepared for my Zoom interview.
I was nervous for the interview - I was confident I had the skillset but I wanted to make sure I came across well to the course coordinators. 100 applicants had to be squeezed into 32.
Once let into the interview, I was greeted on Zoom by the six coordinators scattered over Europe. My interview was in the midst of a global lockdown, so most of the coordinators were dialing in from home. Most were muted and cameras off, with Professor Pierre Lanfranchi taking the lead as chief interviewer. The interview had a very friendly tone - they asked more personable questions about motivations to be part of the FIFA Master, why I chose the topic of public health in my main essay and what I would bring to the course. After approximately 25 minutes, the interview was over and I was satisfied with my answers.
The Acceptance
I was watching TV with my parents in Perth when my acceptance letter came through on my phone emails. I was absolutely ecstatic inside but I just froze; it was a realisation my whole life was about to drastically change. I had to keep the acceptance secret until I could confirm I could get an exemption to leave Australia - which I confirmed in July 2021.
It was a magical time but also bittersweet as I couldn’t tell anyone my news!
Preparing to Leave
Ahead of my departure to the United Kingdom in two months, my current priorities are:
Securing my visa to enter the Untied Kingdom
Getting my COVID-19 vaccinations in time for departure
Securing flights to the UK without entering a Red-List Country (e.g. Qatar and UAE)
Sorting University Accommodation in Leicester
Shortlist Accommodation in Milan and Neuchatel
Sorting Swiss Health Insurance (mandatory by law in Switzerland)
