York Stadium launches innovative Sports Education and Training Centre to ‘transform futures’

York Stadium Management Company is launching a unique hybrid learning programme for young people aspiring to work behind the scenes in sport.

And they say it could ‘transform their futures’.

In what is believed to be a first in the UK, the education and training centre is being set up at the LNER Community Stadium.

It combines structured education qualifications and bespoke modules – and also offers rewards-based incentives linked to students’ performance and attendance.

The centre is iInitially targeting Level 2 and Level 3 accredited qualifications for 16-19 year olds. And this month the stadium is holding Open Days so parents, guardians and students can find out what’s on offer and also enjoy a tour of the facilities.

Martin Jesper, Executive Director at York Stadium Management Company, told YorkMix: “We are going to give our students the best possible opportunities to pursue careers within non-playing aspects of sport. Those same skills will also be readily transferable to many other industry sectors.

“Our bespoke modules will focus on understanding the business, commercial and operational aspects of sport. We have a vibrant, working classroom at the stadium – showcasing a range of elite and community sports that will form the basis of that learning.

“We will also prepare our students for working life – with additional workplace qualifications and personal skills such as time management, CV preparation, preparing for job interviews and how to manage your money.”

He stressed that the skills would provide the foundations for working in any sport – at any level – with the bespoke modules also being highly relevant for adults currently working in grassroots sport who are keen to learn best practices.

Martin said: “We have had conversations with local sports clubs, parents and career influencers across the city and wider community and the feedback has been exceptional with a number of local, non-sporting businesses also taking an interest.”

A brand-new classroom, with room for 26 students, has also been created – complete with the latest audio-visual equipment. The room was used as the main Operations Room for the Women’s Rugby World Cup held at the venue earlier this year.

Martin said. “Our students will be learning within a live, working example of how a sports business works on both match days and non-match days. And our rewards-based incentives will get them actively involved – through paid employment and exclusive behind the scenes access to provide additional context to their learning.

“We feel our unique, hybrid learning structure will equip our students to be a huge asset for employers in any business from day one, as well as providing a robust platform for progressing their own academic learnings further if they choose to do so,” he said.

• To find out more, call 01904 950950, visit yorksmc.co.uk or email [email protected]