UCFB academics attend Pathways Tournament with New Balance and Liverpool FC’s Jeremie Frimpong

Two UCFB academics attended the 2025 summer Pathways Event in Manchester, hosted by New Balance and also attended by multiple influencers, media organisations and professional footballers.

The event was a tournament and job fair, with UCFB staff informing people there of the incredible and unique degree courses on offer, all of which are tailored to the football and wider sports industry.

The two academic staff members at the tournament were:

• Matthew Macdonald – Course leader for BA (Hons) Football Business
• Moses Gomes-Santos – Lecturer for BA (Hons) Sports Business and Coaching

The Pathways Tournament has had events taking place across the world, such as in the Netherlands, Germany and Ghana. The UK-based event was held in Manchester on Sunday, June 22.

The event was also supported by Jeremie Frimpong, Liverpool’s new summer signing who set up the Pathways initiative. At the tournament, Frimpong had a conversation with our academics about the industry-focused degree courses UCFB provides.

The aim of the global tournaments is to showcase and provide opportunities for young footballers who don’t make it as a professional, but wish to remain within the fantastic sports industry.

Matthew and Moses introduced many of the footballers, as well as their friends and families, to UCFB’s courses relating to such areas as sports media, sports coaching and sports business.

Matthew called the event, “a powerful case study of community-focused event management,” while after the event, Moses said: “I’ll continue to strive and convey to young people that whatever you want to do is possible. The world is your oyster.”

UCFB also has launched a partnership with The Premier League, showcasing how education within sport can allow young footballers to remain in the industry if they do not make it as a professional player.

Learn more about UCFB’s courses, campuses and student life by viewing a prospectus.