FAI and IFA join for CFM 'first'

Cooperation between two national associations has led to the first ever national edition of the UEFA Certificate in Football Management (CFM) programme being co-hosted.

The Republic of Ireland's national federation, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), and its counterpart in Northern Ireland, the Irish Football Association (IFA), have joined forces for the programme, which is designed to help association staff across Europe improve their management skills – enhancing the quality of European football as a whole.

Both associations came to UEFA with the initiative to stage a joint CFM national edition, the European governing body gladly gave the green light, and the first seminar was held in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.

The FAI and IFA have 16 participants each, and the international flavour of the CFM programme is evident, with six external representatives – from Scotland, Wales and UEFA's newest member association Gibraltar – taking part.

The UEFA CFM is a nine-month programme featuring studies into topics including football organisation, strategy and strategic management, operational management, marketing and sponsorship, communications, media and public relations, and event organisation.

Participants acquire skills related to management techniques and best practices in a variety of areas, which enable them to move into senior executive positions in the future, while also making invaluable use of what they have learned through their CFM studies.

John Delaney, the FAI CEO, welcomed the aims of the programme. "UEFA's Certificate in Football Management is an investment in the leaders of the future," he said. "That's exactly what the participants have the potential to become.

"The course's relevance provides the participants with the tools they need for successful management careers within the game," Delaney added. "[That makes] it key to personal and corporate development for clubs and national associations throughout Europe."

The IFA's chief executive Patrick Nelson agreed wholeheartedly. "UEFA are a tremendous organisation who always put football first," he said. "The CFM is a great example of their investment in national associations and our people. Both of our associations will benefit enormously from the knowledge and insights the participants will gain on this programme."

Two other seminars within this historic national edition will follow – in Belfast, Northern Ireland in August, and in Dundalk, situated in the Republic of Ireland and close to the border between the countries, in December.

Six interactive online modules and three face-to-face seminars are included in the UEFA CFM programme, which is being offered within various European national associations. Content is adapted to local conditions, while also maintaining the overall values that shape the programme.

The Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP) awards the certificates, and the course has been prepared and is conducted by respected academics from universities in France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.