Having covered some of the evidence that suggests preparing for a career transition can actually benefit current performance, it is no surprise that more and more athletes are choosing to take up studies to prepare for the next step.
At GIS, we’re proud to have athletes ranging from Olympic medallists to Premier League veterans choosing our courses to do so, and we’d like to share some of them with you.
A first example is Team GB hero Asha Philip, who achieved bronze at the Rio Olympics in the 4 x 100m relay. Starting at GIS in September 2024, Asha signed up for our Master’s degree in International Sports Management. This is a course that she had a lot of anticipation for, saying, “I am most looking forward to meeting my classmates and tutors to embark on a new journey together which is quite exciting but also scary, but I am looking forward to a new challenge. I am scared, but in a great way – like I am about to race.”
Another Olympic medallist we have studying with us is Shona McCalin MBE, who won gold at Rio 2016 as part of Team GB’s hockey team. Shona has joined the same course as Asha, one named in SportsBusiness Magazine’s Top 40 Postgraduate Programmes, and also started in September. Shona is studying whilst playing in Hockey One for Adelaide Fire in Australia.
Shona received one of our scholarships aimed at helping former professionals gain an education to remain within the sports industry that they have given so much to. Shona emphasises the importance of education, even as a professional athlete. “Hockey isn’t a career where you can earn financial amounts that set you up for life. My parents, coaches and mentors have all instilled how important it is to have an education and develop skills away from your sport.”
Another athlete who agrees with the benefit of doing this is Michael Churm. Having competed at the Sydney Paralympics in 2000, Michael competed in the T37 100m sprint and the T38 4 x 100m relay. Earning a silver medal in the latter, Michael has now started a course with us at GIS.
From the track to the pitch, we also have Tsubasa Endoh looking to further his career through GIS. Also on the International Sports Managements course, Tsubasa told us, “There is always an end as a professional athlete and I have always been wanting to study how football clubs are run and learn about the business side of football.
“I am still 30 years old but there is no harm in starting early to prepare for your second career. Ultimately, GIS is a perfect place for me to pursue my Master’s degree.”
Having played for Melbourne City and Toronto FC, as well as representing Japan at multiple youth levels, we are so happy that Tsubasa has enjoyed his time so far.
“The service and support from the GIS people are really second to none. The process of getting into the postgraduate programme is so smooth that there was no stress whatsoever from my end.”
Looking back to the earlier point of education providing performance benefits to athletes who still compete, we have some sportspeople who are prime examples of this!
One is Millie Chandarana. Studying our MSc Football Business course, Millie currently plays for Nottingham Forest Women, and has now started her second year with GIS, opting to study part-time to ensure she can fully focus on both her course and career.
On this, Millie said: “GIS offers that outlet. It allows me to balance football and education. It’s good to have both to have one to take your mind off one or the other.
“I’m happy I’m doing the course part-time with GIS and being able to get that extra time with contacts and lecturers and actually learning more across two years rather than having it condensed into one.”
Alongside mentor and Sky Sports journalist Dev Trehan, Millie has been nominated for accolades at the Asian Football Awards, as the pair work to raise positive awareness and inspire the next generation of players from the Asian community.
Another elite athlete we can share with you as an example is former Aston Villa goalkeeper, Brad Guzan. Still starting in goal for Atlanta United, Brad is also on our MSc Football Business programme.
Speaking on the comfort that studying while playing provides him, Brad explained that: “I’m not ready to hang up my gloves yet, so the option to prepare my next move whilst still playing at the highest level was hugely important to me. That’s why I chose to study at GIS - it just made sense.”
Also achieving 64 international caps and a trip to the 2008 Olympics, Brad is still learning about the sport every day, and told us: “After being in the game for 20 years now, it’s amazing to still discover new aspects about a sport I love and look at ways I can continue to make an impact in football after I finish playing.”
With so many elite athletes, both past and present, choosing to study with us at GIS, we aim to provide them with the best education possible to give them a platform to continue their careers in the sports industry.
To find out more about the range of degrees we have on offer, click here.
Article by Zak Anani
