THE World Academy of Sport (WAoS) is delighted to announce the launch of its pioneering Global Sports Industry Educational Pathway which offers a flexible and convenient sports industry learning journey from high school through to higher education.

The Pathway closely integrates WAoS’ extensive international industry expertise with academic rigour through a series of sports industry education programmes that have been developed over the last few years in recognition of the increasing demand for remote learning.

Speaking about the launch of the new Global Sports Industry Educational Pathway, WAoS’ managing director Chris Solly, says: 'Our Global Sports Industry Educational Pathway draws on nearly two decades of WAoS building unique, best-of-breed industry solutions that are based on extensive and global practitioner-based knowledge generated by WAoS’ in house experts, our Visiting Fellows and our International Advisory Board, chaired by François Carrard. We now offer a full industry education pathway that supports athletes who wish to balance their sport and education all the way through to postgraduate studies and beyond for anyone within the sports industry or those wishing to enter it.

“The online nature of this Pathway reflects our long-established recognition that distance learning would always become increasingly important. It is convenient and accessible as well as a safe and cost effective way for people to study in these challenging times. Our Pathway, created with the support of our Global Education Partners, means the industry will be enhanced for years to come by qualified professionals in sport management who are able to meet the diverse and wide ranges of career demands.”

WAoS’ new Global Sports Industry Educational Pathway has three elements:

1. WAoS offers students aged between 16-18 years an International Baccalaureate (IB) Career-related Programme in International Sport Management through IB World Schools. This is an online foundation study option that connects young minds with successful sporting careers allowing those students to turn their passion into a profession. Over two years, students can combine career-related studies in International Sport Management as part of the IB Diploma Programme. Successful graduates will receive credit and direct entry into WAoS’ undergraduate programme.
   
2. WAoS has partnered with Australia’s Federation University to deliver an online Bachelor of International Sport Management undergraduate degree for anyone over 18 years of age. The flexibility of the degree allows part-time students up to 10 years to complete their degree, offering athletes who might otherwise sacrifice tertiary education the opportunity to complete their education while training and competing.
3. WAoS, in partnership with University of London in the UK, has launched an online Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in International Sports Management for those aged in their 20s and above looking to build on existing qualifications or industry expertise. It can be completed in a minimum of one academic year to a maximum of five years, recognising that people in the sports industry require varying levels of learning at different stages in their lives or may have limited time available.

Haif Bannayan, IB Director of Outreach and Conferences, comments: “We are excited to see the further developments in the partnership with WAoS that has seen innovations be piloted and proven for IB students over a number of years. It is most exciting that we are able to extend the provision of flexibility for student-athletes to those wishing to undertake the Career-related Programme.

“This unique approach provides a global framework to those students who are strongly committed to excelling in both their sport aspirations and their education studies. The IB, together with WAoS, is removing the perception of sacrifices that student-athletes have to make to an approach whereby such commitments can be achieved through well-supported, flexible options.”

Professor Mary Stiasny OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), University of London, says: “The sports industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and here at the University of London, we are pleased to be playing our part in helping with the recovery of this sector through the WAoS initiative to make students more ‘job ready’ for this specialist area of work.”

Professor Helen Bartlett, Vice-Chancellor and President of Federation University, says: “WAoS’ Global Sports Industry Educational Pathway is certainly a shining light as we focus on new forms of digital education and enhanced student experience and Federation University Australia is proud to be part of this partnership.

 

“As we navigate the turmoil of the past few months, universities and colleges are embracing the latest technology to ensure student continuity, and it is exciting to see that WAoS is already a leader in this space. We look forward to guiding the next generation of industry professionals as they connect globally, build international contacts and relationships and create a catalyst for future growth and change.”

In parallel to launching the Global Sports Industry Educational Pathway, WAoS has unveiled an Educational Support Package of scholarships that is backed by its Global Education Partners University of London and Federation University. These scholarships are being offered to all WAoS’ partners in the global sporting ecosystem including International Sporting Federations, their national members, government partners and the IB school community providing them with the educational tools and ‘know how’ needed to help sport navigate through the challenges ahead arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chris Solly, who has witnessed the devastating impact that COVID-19 has on lives, says: “What WAoS is announcing in terms of our scholarships is only one small part of the global effort that will be needed to rebuild and reimagine sport. The package is being made available due to the support of our educational partners along with our dedicated team of experts at WAoS.”

 

The Educational Support Package of scholarships is open to the Olympian community worldwide with Joël Bouzou OLY, President, World Olympians Association, commenting: “WAoS’ new Global Sports Industry Educational Pathway will provide opportunities for Olympians to create new and exciting career options. By applying the same level of commitment they have shown throughout their competitive sporting life, Olympians are some of the most successful at transferring skills into new careers.

“World Olympians Association, alongside our global network of National Olympians Associations, is continuously looking to form alliances which provide new opportunities to benefit Olympians, and this scholarship educational support package will offer new ways to gain professional and credible qualifications.”

Professor Mary Stiasny OBE added: “In keeping with our tradition of providing access to quality higher education for more than 160 years, we are pleased to be supporting the scholarship scheme. This will provide students, who may otherwise not be able to afford to register for the award, with the opportunity to access our Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in International Sports Management. This is an invaluable industry focused award that will open up new opportunities for our students in the sports sector post COVID-19 recovery.”

The WAoS educational support package launched on the 1st of July 2020 and runs through to June 2021, leading into the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Individuals and schools associated with WAoS’ partners wishing to access the educational support package can do so through their respective organisations.

Media Contacts:

Vicki Maltby                                                                       Tim Thorowgood

Vicki.maltby@hkstrategies.com                            Tim.thorowgood@hkstrategies.com

+44 (0) 7968 541 430

Student queries:

Stephanie Keller, Academic Relations Director, WAoS – skeller@worldacademysport.com

Notes for Editors

About WAoS

The World Academy of Sport (WAoS) delivers learning programmes for sports and event participants - athletes, managers, administrators, officials and coaches - through a series of tailored educational programmes. For further information visit: https://worldacademy.sport

Further information about the WAoS Global Sports Industry Education Pathway can be found at: https://istudy.sport

7 July 2020

World Academy of Sport launches pioneering global sports industry educational pathway 'From High School to Higher Education'