UCFB hosts successful landmark Sports Entrepreneur Competition to mark 10 years in Manchester

Young entrepreneurs from across the UK congregated in Manchester for UCFB’s groundbreaking Sports Entrepreneur Competition. 

The flagship initiative, which was created to mark ten years of UCFB using Manchester as one of its hubs of sporting education, gave innovators aged 18 to 30 the chance to win a prize up to the value of £50,000 to bring their sports business idea to life. 

The business concepts covered a wide range of fields across the sports industry, from nutrition to injuries and media to clothing, with all the young entrepreneurs putting their case forward to be awarded the grand prize up to the value of £50,000. 

Old Trafford football stadium was the iconic venue for the shortlisted finalists to present their ideas to a panel of industry experts including 

• Andrea Chilton – chief executive of the English Schools Football Association 

• Brendan Flood – founder of UCFB 

• Adrian Harris – chief supply chain officer at Castore 

• Sam Mackenzie – chief executive at Altrincham Football Club 

• Eni Shabani – founder at Rising Ballers 

Find out more about each of the industry experts who sat as judges on the event panel. 

One of the panel members, Eni Shabani, said: “Days like this are incredible. In terms of what’s being put forward: the money, the mentoring, the guidance. It really creates an opportunity which not many people get a chance to have. 

“Many people are passionate about an idea, and to have this catalyst put right in front of you by UCFB is amazing.” 

Fellow judge Andrea Chilton spoke about what she hopes all the shortlisted candidates take away from the event, whether victorious or not. 

“Courage,” she said. “It’s a big thing to stand in front of an investor, they’ve not got very long. It’s potentially life changing for them, so the significance is huge. 

“Whatever happens today, they’ve had the courage to come, and I hope it gives them the courage to carry on.” 

The overall winner was Marie Kelly, a professional cricketer who brought forth her business of sporting caps for women. 

“My main emotion is shock,” she said after the victory, “I didn’t expect to win. I came here for the experience and to help me strategise the business and think about where I wanted to go with it. To be the overall winner, I’m really delighted.” 

She went on to speak about the next steps for her business after winning the prize. 

“It takes a weight off my mind about how to supply the demand I already have for the products and the caps.  

“Hopefully, I can really develop the product as well so it’s even better and serve even more women and girls in sport.” 

In addition to this competition, UCFB also hosts the annual entrepreneurship competition, held at UCFB Wembley. 

You can also learn all about UCFB’s wide range of undergraduate degree courses, all tailored to the domestic and global sports industry, whether it be sports business, sports media or sports coaching. 

View a UCFB prospectus to learn more about student life, our unique courses and everything there is to know about kicking off your career in the sports industry.