The Football Industries MBA Improving Women's Soccer
Vaidehi Vaidya set up her own women’s soccer network in India after the Football Industries MBA
Vaidehi Vaidya and Deborah Dilworth are helping women achieve their goals in soccer. They started out on the Football Industries MBA at the University of Liverpool Management School
Women’s soccer is on the rise. The 2019 Women’s World Cup final was watched by a record 1.12 billion people, while the number of women who play soccer globally has now reached the same levels as those who play tennis or practice yoga.
Yet there is still a large divide between the women’s game and their male counterparts. The total prize money for the women’s world cup was $30 million, while the prize money for the men’s tournament was $400 million in 2018.
Two women who are keen to make a difference in supporting women’s soccer are Vaidehi Vaidya and Deborah Dilworth. Both keen players and lovers of the game, Vaidehi is helping make soccer more accessible to women in India, while Deborah is improving structures within the women’s game in England.
They both began their journeys on the Football Industries MBA (FIMBA) at the University of Liverpool Management School, a course which blends fundamental business learning with lessons related to soccer, helping graduates forge careers in the industry.
Why FIMBA?
Vaidehi decided she didn’t want to pursue a nine to five job after graduating from her bachelor’s degree in engineering in India. Instead, she chose to work toward her passion for soccer. She found the FIMBA online and decided to complete the required two years of work experience in India, where she worked as a design engineer, before joining the course in 2012.
Deborah, meanwhile, was already channelling her passion while working as an assistant regional director for a soccer company in California. In 2013, she decided to leave her role and further her career by studying on the FIMBA.
Deborah was experienced in managing soccer coaches and volunteers, but felt adding an understanding of the business side of soccer to her coaching badges would help her stand out when applying to higher roles within the industry.
The FIMBA, which is the only Football Industries MBA in the world, combines core business teaching with classes including Football Economics and Analytics, Football and Finance, and Becoming a Football Executive. This gives students a blend of skills which are needed to build careers in the industry.
The Football MBA Experience
As an industry, soccer presents some unusual challenges, but the FIMBA is tailored to help students overcome them with soccer-specific business classes. Finance lessons in asset management use players as assets, while classes on strategy and negotiation teach students to negotiate player contracts.
Teaching in class is supplemented by visits to key industry sites, helping students to see how the theory they learn in the classroom is implemented in the real world.
Deborah had the opportunity to see behind the scenes of soccer stadiums in Liverpool and MK Dons, as well as UEFA headquarters in Switzerland. UEFA is the administrative body for soccer in Europe.
“Learning in a football stadium or press room brings it alive, it's exciting because you think ‘I want to be part of this,’” she says.
For Deborah and Vaidehi, networking opportunities were a highlight of the program. FIMBA students have access to alumni working throughout the industry, for governing bodies like UEFA and the English Football League (EFL) as well as soccer clubs like Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
Industry experts also give guest lectures throughout the course. Vaidehi met the CEO of Everton Football Club after a guest lecture. “These are the people you see on television and having them come in and talk in your classroom about how things happen is just amazing,” she reflects.
Utilizing this network means FIMBA students can gain access to knowledge and opportunities that don’t exist anywhere else. Vaidehi secured an internship with UEFA and the Asian Football Development Project, “it was one of the alumni who helped me get that internship, and that later became my first job after the course,” she says.
Vaidehi continued working with the Asian Football Development Project in India after completing the FIMBA, while Deborah (pictured below) became a coach mentor at the Football Association (FA), the governing body of association football in England, and a network manager at the Football Supporters’ Association.
Supporting women in sport
Since entering the industry, both women have focused their work on supporting women’s sport.
In 2015, Vaidehi created Women In Sport India (WISI), a platform seeking to unify online forums and communities in India to provide women in sport with an information and support network.
She came across the idea while completing her work-based project—the final piece of work FIMBA students undertake before graduating.
The project involves in-depth research on the student’s chosen topic, and Vaidehi focused hers on widening women's access to soccer in India. She travelled across urban and rural India speaking with governing bodies, players and sports schools as part of her research.
“I started realizing that there is a lot of talent in women’s football and women’s sport in India but there is nobody to bring them together under one roof, so that is where it all started,” she says.
In 2015, she left her role with UEFA, where she had been evaluating the potential of women’s soccer in India, to return to the idea.
“I thought if there is no platform, I am sure there are a lot of women searching for the same thing, so I started one,” she says. “It is something that I love doing so I ultimately decided I wanted to do it full time; I wanted to do it for women.”
Deborah’s role with the Football Supporters’ Association sees her bridging the gap between supporters and official structures in the women’s game, creating and maintaining a network by working with volunteers, supporters groups and clubs.
She took on the voluntary role two years ago, alongside her main job within the FSA working with the EFL network. She performs similar tasks for both roles, but working in women’s soccer means dealing with a much less established network.
“It’s a different scenario really. Some of the groups in the EFL are 20 years old whereas in the women’s game a lot of them are quite new,” she says.
“I think that supporters in the women’s game deserve the treatment and voice that the EFL and the national league get, and I am passionate about bringing that to women’s football,” she continues.
“The beauty of the FIMBA is that it showed me what I was interested in, and it gave me that level of clarity to then push forward with my career.”
Well I won't tell you about all the great things about this university. But I'll just tell you my honest experience about it.
I have visited almost all the places here. This university knows how take care of their students. Be it any aspect, be it career and placement department, be it societies, be it organising committees, they know what all issues a student can face and they are ready with the solutions already.
Professors here are so welcoming. You can literarily bother them ample number of times but they will still be so nice with you. They actually put a lot of efforts to make letures more fun. They try their best to focus on each and every student and check if they are comfortable or now.
Coming to the offerings. They know that there will be a lot of international students and there will be a lot of issues they will face in adjustment over here. So they organised a lot of events, distributed a lot of free vouchers just to make students feel welcomed over here.
Trust me if you are looking for a Uni for yourself or for someone, do add this one on your priority list.
Hani
Verified
26/09/2023
On Campus
Fantastic school
The lecturers are incredibly experienced in their field of study, and it shows when they teach. They know what they are talking about, and that instills a level of trust that you have made the right choice coming to this university. They are supportive and charismatic - exactly how lecturers should be!
The accommodation is all fantastic too. Homely, comfortable, so close to campus. Even Greenbank, which is a 15 minute bus journey from campus, has its perks (heavily discounted bus pass - from £400 to £60 and free gym membership).
There are so many societies too! Literally one for everything. During the society fair, they were all so welcoming which is so great to see.
The lecture theatres are all top-notch too. It feels so modernistic. It really feels like I have had a big step up from sixth form to university. I made the right choice by coming to UoL!
Keira
Verified
10/09/2023
On Campus
Original RedBrick Review!!
The Marketing Course at this uni a great course with exceptional industry connections - for example a brand assessment centre from The Hut Group and an assessment centre at Anfield Football Stadium! The campus is great as it is all connected and everything can be found there - so whether you are a Starbucks or Cafe Nero kind of person the campus has everything. Freshers is great with campus tours, city walks and course talks to connect you with fellow coursemates. Halls was also a great experience - I loved the halls packs where you can get free tshirts, baking kits and we even got free dominoes pizzas!!
Francesca
Verified
5/09/2023
On Campus
Enjoyed every aspect of it!
My experience studying Marketing at the University of Liverpool has been amazing! All the lecturers and students have been so lovely and helpful. The management school building is my favourite place to study. I would recommend studying Marketing at the University of Liverpool because the content is so engaging and the assignments are creative.
Ramy
Verified
11/07/2023
Online
Quality
Perfect learning methodologies and curriculums, the most i liked about my learning experience with University of Liverpool is the professionalism, in delivering the subjects and helping the students gaining more knowledge.
Jessica
Verified
30/04/2023
On Campus
Amazing course
The marketing course at UOL is great the lecturers are helpful and provide in-person and online resources to succeed in assignments, and the careers department is extremely helpful. The modules are all relevant and have expanded my understanding of the marketing industry and consumer behaviour, social media and so on
Imogen
Verified
30/04/2023
On Campus
The Best Experience
Currently in my Second Year studying Marketing at the University of Liverpool. Due to the big student culture in Liverpool, you soon feel completely at ease and at home. Staff are extremely helpful - there is always opportunities to ask for additional support/guidance. Each module is clear and well organised - this definitely helps in first year when it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with the new workload. It’s very easy to find your way around due to it being a campus university as everything is in close proximity. I lived at Greenbank accommodation in my first year and the staff are so helpful and make you feel very well settled. There is a huge community feel and the modules are interactive meaning making friends is much easier and a lot less intimidating. If you’re considering attending this university and I honestly couldn’t recommend more - you’ll have the best experience!
Student
Verified
6/02/2023
On Campus
Culture
One of my favourite things about this university is the diversity of its people. I met so many different people during my time here, from all different backgrounds and experiences. Not only did these people provide me with insight and knowledge into their own cultures and beliefs, they also allowed me to learn about and understand different ways of life that I would have otherwise never been exposed to. The tutors were also incredibly supportive on this course and allowed me to excel.
India
Verified
29/11/2022
On Campus
Great university!
I did my undergrad in film studies at LJMU and I honestly could not recommend it enough. It has the perfect mix of practical and theory work that prepares you for any job possible in the film industry, from lighting tech to AD. The university lecturers were also very attentive, and I felt comfortable enough with them to seek their help if I ever had an issue or concern, academic or personal. LJMU gave me experiences I would not have got anywhere else, offering summer placements completely free that broadened my horizons. The fact the campus is interspersed around the city also makes it very convenient.
Student
Verified
27/12/2023
On Campus
Law Program
UoL has been a great school to attend so far. I attend UoL's campus in the Cayman Islands, Truman Bodden Law School. Being on such a small island, it has been great with the personal face-to-face with lecturers in understanding topics.
Karan
Verified
28/09/2023
On Campus
My experience in UOL
Well I won't tell you about all the great things about this university. But I'll just tell you my honest experience about it.
I have visited almost all the places here. This university knows how take care of their students. Be it any aspect, be it career and placement department, be it societies, be it organising committees, they know what all issues a student can face and they are ready with the solutions already.
Professors here are so welcoming. You can literarily bother them ample number of times but they will still be so nice with you. They actually put a lot of efforts to make letures more fun. They try their best to focus on each and every student and check if they are comfortable or now.
Coming to the offerings. They know that there will be a lot of international students and there will be a lot of issues they will face in adjustment over here. So they organised a lot of events, distributed a lot of free vouchers just to make students feel welcomed over here.
Trust me if you are looking for a Uni for yourself or for someone, do add this one on your priority list.
Hani
Verified
26/09/2023
On Campus
Fantastic school
The lecturers are incredibly experienced in their field of study, and it shows when they teach. They know what they are talking about, and that instills a level of trust that you have made the right choice coming to this university. They are supportive and charismatic - exactly how lecturers should be!
The accommodation is all fantastic too. Homely, comfortable, so close to campus. Even Greenbank, which is a 15 minute bus journey from campus, has its perks (heavily discounted bus pass - from £400 to £60 and free gym membership).
There are so many societies too! Literally one for everything. During the society fair, they were all so welcoming which is so great to see.
The lecture theatres are all top-notch too. It feels so modernistic. It really feels like I have had a big step up from sixth form to university. I made the right choice by coming to UoL!
Keira
Verified
10/09/2023
On Campus
Original RedBrick Review!!
The Marketing Course at this uni a great course with exceptional industry connections - for example a brand assessment centre from The Hut Group and an assessment centre at Anfield Football Stadium! The campus is great as it is all connected and everything can be found there - so whether you are a Starbucks or Cafe Nero kind of person the campus has everything. Freshers is great with campus tours, city walks and course talks to connect you with fellow coursemates. Halls was also a great experience - I loved the halls packs where you can get free tshirts, baking kits and we even got free dominoes pizzas!!
Francesca
Verified
5/09/2023
On Campus
Enjoyed every aspect of it!
My experience studying Marketing at the University of Liverpool has been amazing! All the lecturers and students have been so lovely and helpful. The management school building is my favourite place to study. I would recommend studying Marketing at the University of Liverpool because the content is so engaging and the assignments are creative.
Ramy
Verified
11/07/2023
Online
Quality
Perfect learning methodologies and curriculums, the most i liked about my learning experience with University of Liverpool is the professionalism, in delivering the subjects and helping the students gaining more knowledge.
Jessica
Verified
30/04/2023
On Campus
Amazing course
The marketing course at UOL is great the lecturers are helpful and provide in-person and online resources to succeed in assignments, and the careers department is extremely helpful. The modules are all relevant and have expanded my understanding of the marketing industry and consumer behaviour, social media and so on
Imogen
Verified
30/04/2023
On Campus
The Best Experience
Currently in my Second Year studying Marketing at the University of Liverpool. Due to the big student culture in Liverpool, you soon feel completely at ease and at home. Staff are extremely helpful - there is always opportunities to ask for additional support/guidance. Each module is clear and well organised - this definitely helps in first year when it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with the new workload. It’s very easy to find your way around due to it being a campus university as everything is in close proximity. I lived at Greenbank accommodation in my first year and the staff are so helpful and make you feel very well settled. There is a huge community feel and the modules are interactive meaning making friends is much easier and a lot less intimidating. If you’re considering attending this university and I honestly couldn’t recommend more - you’ll have the best experience!
Student
Verified
6/02/2023
On Campus
Culture
One of my favourite things about this university is the diversity of its people. I met so many different people during my time here, from all different backgrounds and experiences. Not only did these people provide me with insight and knowledge into their own cultures and beliefs, they also allowed me to learn about and understand different ways of life that I would have otherwise never been exposed to. The tutors were also incredibly supportive on this course and allowed me to excel.
