Second year BSc (Hons) Sport Management students have organised a successful sport and mental health networking event as part of their event management module. This included a range of activities, including inviting external speakers who work in sport, physical activity and mental health and wellbeing to take part.
In planning the event, the team of students adopted a very hands-on approach to incorporate the realities of real-world event management. They led on the planning and preparation in key areas including finance and marketing, as well as the recruitment of speakers. They also set-up the venue and became familiar with the key logistics and health and safety concerns.
Guest speakers included Edge Hill University alumni who, as well as sharing their experiences, gave insights into the reality of work from sectors that offer potential employment opportunities. Current Edge Hill students had the opportunity to interact with guests and learn about key roles that exist in areas including research, coaching and sport management. The event was a huge success, not least in providing attendees with an excellent opportunity to learn more about the roles and careers available to them, especially from speaking with Edge Hill alumni who now work in prominent positions in community sport.
The benefit of studying the event management module is that it allows students to gain substantial practical experience, as well as discover the real-world demands of event management in the sport industry. Students gain the opportunity to develop their skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership, while enhancing their professionalism and adaptability in creating a real-world events that provide key networking opportunities. The module meets the growing demands of the sports industry by providing students with the skills required to apply key event management theories and concepts to practical, real-life settings when they graduate.
BSc (Hons) Sport Management is endorsed against the professional standards of CIMSPA, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity. It is designed to help you see theory in practice through work experience opportunities.
The event management module engages you in activities that will enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to work towards the CIMSPA Entry Manager and Health Navigator professional standards.
“This has been a brilliant opportunity to work in a real-life environment. The ability to be in charge of a student–led event has allowed us to run the event in our control. Although we came across challenges, the event was a success. I would highly recommend this module as I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.“
Harvey Dykes
BSc (Hons) Sport Management
“This module gave a fantastic insight into careers in sports event management. We organised the event really well and we have all come together with lots of great ideas to make it a success.”
Luke Hayes
BSc (Hons) Sport Management
“I really enjoyed the experience of working as a team in a real-life situation and having the opportunity to overcome challenges through teamwork. I would very much recommend others to take this module as it helps to increase your employability awareness and enables you to focus on what you want to achieve.”
Ben Shields
BSc (Hons) Sport Management
“The best thing that I have gained from studying this module is that it has broadened my career options. It has been a fun rollercoaster of experiences.”
Sofia Tzima
BSc (Hons) Sport Management
“I am very impressed with the enthusiasm the group have shown to take ownership of the networking event, especially the level of detail that has gone into key aspects of planning it. They have displayed great creativity and professionalism and have thoroughly considered the needs of current undergraduate and postgraduate Edge Hill students.
As a module, Event Management really engages the students because it provides an insight into the real-world demands that students will have after graduation in the various sectors of sport, physical activity, and mental health.”
Dr Eoin King
Lecturer in Sport, Physical Activity and Health
Two Edge Hill University alumni, who were special guests at the networking event, expressed how pleased they were to be asked to come along and support the current students.
“It has been a brilliant opportunity to come and network with all the current Edge Hill University students, who are the future workforce. It has been great to spread the word about the work I do at Manchester City Football Club and talk about how the students can apply their knowledge and studies to the real world.”
Jason El-Kaleh
Community Mentoring Manager
City in the Community at Manchester City Football Club
“The event has been very well organised by the students. It has been a pleasure to come back to Edge Hill and share my knowledge and experience. I hope I’ve inspired a few of the current students who are thinking about their future careers.”
Ryan Cartledge
Rugby League Team Leader
Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation
To turn your passion for sport into a dream job, you need skills and experience. Here at Edge Hill, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to practise for a lifelong career as a professional.
December 13, 2023
