UEFA CFM graduates in England

The UEFA Certificate in Football Management (UEFA CFM) – an educational programme designed to reinforce the management skills of staff within UEFA's national associations – is being implemented across Europe, with England the latest association to celebrate the graduation of a number of students.

Together with Croatia, England was one of the pilot associations as the UEFA CFM's expanded into a pan-European programme, and its second national edition ended in 34 participants receiving their UEFA CFM certificates at a ceremony attended by the Football Association (FA) general secretary Alex Horne. Twenty-five of the 34 graduates came from England – 23 from the FA and two from regional associations – while nine others came from other national associations, emphasising the international feel of the programme and the overall benefits it brings for European football and its management.

The UEFA CFM is a ten-month programme with six interactive online modules and three face-to-face seminars, with the objective being to help UEFA member associations' middle management enhance and increase their knowledge of sports and, in particular, football management. Module topics include football organisation, strategy and strategic management, operational management, marketing and sponsorship, communications, media and public relations, and organisation of events.

The UEFA CFM has now taken on an international dimension, with the programme on offer within various national associations, and content is being adapted to local contexts while still maintaining the programme's overall values. The Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP) awards the certificates, and the programme has been prepared and is conducted by internationally-renowned academics from universities in France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Participants in the course learn skills related to management techniques and best practices that will help them move up to senior executive level in the future. In England, the 'home' students were joined by representatives from the French Football Federation (FFF), Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Malta Football Association (MFA), Football Association of Norway (NFF) and Scottish Football Association (SFA). Another UEFA CFM edition in England is planned for the early part of 2015.