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Leeds United College help staff earn diplomas

College oversees 40 graduate over lockdown.

Sports College Web 1.jpg

Over the course of the lockdown, the Leeds United College provided staff at the club the chance to study for a professional diploma in Leadership in Sport.

In partnership with 5 Global and Uninettuno University, the Leeds United College oversaw 40 members of staff graduate with diplomas.

Over a four-week period, the course was delivered online, with weekly webinar sessions, guest speakers and pre-recorded lectures.

There was a variety of topics covered throughout the duration, including an introduction to leadership, behaviours in leaders, reflective self-appraisal, the mindset of success, developing a style of leadership and leadership lessons from football and sport.

Tom McStravick (pictured), who scored the highest marks in earning his diploma said:  "I would like to thank the club for providing this opportunity.

“The diploma course in Sport Leadership has been a really enjoyable experience.

“I have learnt a lot about myself during this time and this course has really got me thinking about my skills and areas to improve and it will help me develop in my roles at the Foundation and the Academy.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Mat Everett and Nigel Thewlis for their support with the essay, I honestly never would have thought that it would have scored so highly."

Professor Vincent English who lead the course and is a professor of strategic management at University Uninettuno in Rome, said: “Employers need to do more to support their staff, not only in facilitating a new working regime but for their general mental and emotional wellbeing.

“While some companies have done that, there is no other employer that I am aware of that has gone even further.

“Leeds United contacted me to arrange a series of professional executive education courses for their staff while the country was in lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic and the result was a University accredited diploma in Leadership in Sport.

“Leeds United have set a high bar and is a beacon for others to follow.”

Angus Kinnear, Chief Executive at Leeds United Football Club, added: "As a club we knew the difficulties everyone was facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We wanted to try and take some positives out of it and offer staff the opportunity to take on a new challenge at home that would enable them to learn, stay engaged and ultimately earn a new qualification that will only be beneficial to them as they each progress in their careers.

"The Leeds United College and their partners at 5 Global and Uninettuno University have been fantastic in providing the course ready for our staff members and I hope it inspired those taking part.”

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