Estonia stages UEFA CFM edition

The UEFA Certificate in Football Management (UEFA CFM) programme continues to expand across Europe, with ever more participants working in football enhancing their professional skills and learning about numerous facets of the game.

The National Football Stadium in Tallinn welcomed 34 participants from across the spectrum, with the course's international feel boosted by four guests – two from Latvia, and one each from Turkey and Lithuania. Hosts Estonia were represented by 14 staff from the Estonian Football Association (EJL) and 16 delegates from domestic clubs: FC Elva, FC Infonet, Jalgpalliklubi FCF, JK Narva Trans, JK Sillamäe Kalev, Nõmme Kalju FC, Pärnu Linnameeskond, Tallinna FC Flora, Tallinna FC Levadia, Tartu JK Tammeka, Viljandi JK Tulevik, Vändra JK Vaprus and FC Santos.

Participants were given a thorough introduction to football management, and also received a special insight into UEFA's club licensing and financial fair play measures and the UEFA HatTrick assistance programme which gives sporting and infrastructure support to the European body's 54 member associations. Estonian FA president Aivar Pohlak shared Estonia's particular experiences in managing football in the Baltic country, which joined UEFA in 1992.

Graduates from the UEFA CFM profit from their studies to make progress in their careers. The nine-month programme comprises six interactive online modules and three face-to-face seminars. Focal points include football organisation, strategy and strategic management, operational management, marketing and sponsorship, communications, media and public relations and event management.

Certificates are awarded by the Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP) at the University of Lausanne, and the UEFA CFM academic content is drawn up by a team of academics from universities in France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.