The UCFB Taster Day is exclusively for UCFB applicants and is designed to give you a full understanding of the unrivalled experience that studying at UCFB has to offer.
Please see the below for a list of guest speakers appearing at each of UCFB's taster days.
Wembley Taster Days
Kevin has been with The FA for over 11 years in a range of roles, ranging from a Skills Coach, to FA Skills Team Leader, and now a Regional Coach Mentor Officer for London. He has a background in Sport Science and was previously Technical Director for the Middlesex FA Centre of Excellence.
A guest speaker for this course is yet to be confirmed.
Ranked as a leading sports law barrister by The Legal 500, Craig has particular expertise in disciplinary and regulatory cases across a wide range of sports, built on fourteen years’ previous experience conducting some of the country’s most serious and high-profile criminal trials. Now focused on the sports law aspect of his practice, Craig is retained counsel to the League Managers Association, representing managers in the Premier League and EFL, and sits as Chair of disciplinary panels for the Football Association, the Football Association of Wales, the Welsh Rugby Union and England Boxing, amongst others. Recent high-profile cases in which he has acted include the Fernando Forestieri alleged racism case, the World Snooker Association match-fixing scandal and an investigation into matters relating to the 2024 Olympic Games on behalf of World Sailing.
Courtney is a Secondary School Teacher of Physical Education. She has been teaching for 4 years, 2 of which have been at her current school, Welland Park Academy in Leicestershire. She is also a qualified swimming instructor. Courtney studied Sport and Exercise Science at undergraduate level and went on to complete her Physical Education PGCE. Courtney has a huge passion for sport and from a very young age has been involved in Netball, Athletics, Swimming, Basketball and Tennis. She has been playing Basketball for 11 years and currently plays in the Division 1, Women's National Basketball League for Thames Valley Cavaliers.
Gustavo Spanholi is an innovative, results-driven international football business professional whose experience spans across Football Clubs & Stadiums, Football Federations, Sports Mobile Marketing Start-ups, Football Business Education and Marketing & Communications agencies, in a variety of international locations. Currently, Gustavo is working as an International Engagement Manager at The FA.
Chris is an experienced Events, Operations and Projects Manager, with over 10 years of his career being in the sports industry. Having amassed project and operations experience in the early stage of his career, Chris was able to utilise and enhance those skills in a variety of roles at The FA. Having started working with England Women’s youth teams, supporting on FA Cup Finals and England matches at Wembley, seconding onto UEFA Tournaments and a Champions League Final and travelling with the Lionesses. Chris culminated his time at The FA by overseeing the operation of England’s six men’s youth teams.
Suffering an injury early in her Track and Field career, led Jodine towards Sports and Exercise Psychology. After obtaining a masters in Psychology of Sports and Exercise, Jodine is now continuing her journey onto the BPS stage 2 chartership in Sports and Exercise Psychology. Alongside her role as a trainee Sports Psychologist, Jodine also works at Nuffield Health gym educating companies and staff on the importance of wellbeing and exercise. Her journey so far has allowed her to work with elite athletes including sprinters, curling athletes and footballers.
Kevin has been with The FA for over 11 years in a range of roles, ranging from a Skills Coach, to FA Skills Team Leader, and now a Regional Coach Mentor Officer for London. He has a background in Sport Science and was previously Technical Director for the Middlesex FA Centre of Excellence.
Kevin has been with The FA for over 11 years in a range of roles, ranging from a Skills Coach, to FA Skills Team Leader, and now a Regional Coach Mentor Officer for London. He has a background in Sport Science and was previously Technical Director for the Middlesex FA Centre of Excellence.
Mark is one of the most recognised voices in the world of live sport. On air, Mark's reputation is for driving interviews with the questions true fans want answers to, whether on talkSPORT or Amazon Prime Video. He has previously worked for BBC Sport and Sky TV.
Greg has been with The FA for over three years, originally planning all aspects of match day entertainment and fan engagement at events such as the FA Cup Final, to now looking after marketing for Wembley Stadium and the England national teams. He’s previously worked on major events including the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
James is a Chartered Accountant with a huge range of experience across the financial sector, including his current role at The Football Association. Before joining The FA, James was previously Head of Financial Control at Vocalink (a Mastercard company) and Group Financial Controller at Melbourne IT, amongst other roles.
Etihad Campus Taster Days
Starting his career at Bradford City, Steve moved on to Burnley FC before returning to the Yorkshire club as Company Accountant.
Dave presented a popular radio show for 18 years at BBC Lancashire, a role in which he was offered after joining the broadcaster in 1998 as co-host of the Rugby League Programme. Dave also spent an exciting 17 years at Sale Sharks as their Customer Service Director & Head of Media. This role not only allowed Dave to explore the industry within a professional sports club, but also saw him made a Director.
A guest speaker for this course is yet to be confirmed.
Starting his career at Bradford City, Steve moved on to Burnley FC before returning to the Yorkshire club as Company Accountant.
With a 10-year career at Manchester United FC, Neil’s role as Pre-Academy Manager sees him manage over 30 talent centres around Manchester for boys aged between 6-8 years old. The aim of the centres are to identify talented players at a young age in order to allow them to develop at the club’s academy from the age of 9. Neil is an experienced coach holding a UEFA B license, alongside Youth Modules awards 1-3.
With a 10-year career at Manchester United FC, Neil’s role as Pre-Academy Manager sees him manage over 30 talent centres around Manchester for boys aged between 6-8 years old. The aim of the centres are to identify talented players at a young age in order to allow them to develop at the club’s academy from the age of 9. Neil is an experienced coach holding a UEFA B license, alongside Youth Modules awards 1-3.
A guest speaker for this course is yet to be confirmed.
A guest speaker for this course is yet to be confirmed.
