The Global Institute of Sport (GIS) is delighted to have Kelly Simmons OBE supporting our Women in Sport Scholarship as a mentor for 2024-25.

The GIS Women in Sport Scholarships are for outstanding female applicants to any GIS course starting in September 2024.

The ideal scholar should have ambitions to become a future sports industry leader and a commitment to working with GIS and partners to increase access for women into the sports industry.

One of the many benefits received through these scholarships is mentorship from a senior sports industry professional, such as Kelly Simmons OBE.

Kelly is a sports consultant, as well as being a director for Women in Football and board advisor for Premiership Women’s Rugby.

She is also a FIFA competitions expert and UEFA match delegate.

Previously, she spent more than 20 years at The Football Association, in roles including head of football development, director of the women’s professional game and head of the national game.

Kelly Simmons OBE said, talking about the scholarship: "I am delighted to be partnering with UCFB and GIS to support more women to come into and excel in the football industry. 

“The football industry is an exciting and dynamic place to work and I would recommend it to anybody considering their career options.

“However, we know that despite much progress, women are underrepresented at all levels in the industry and that is why I wanted to support this postgraduate scholarship programme by offering to mentor the successful candidate. 

“I have over 30 years of experience in a number of senior executive and non-executive roles in the game and hope to pass on some of that knowledge, experience and networks to help the next generation."

Mentorship from sports industry professionals and executives such as Kelly Simmons OBE allows recipients of the Women in Sport Scholarship to grow their skills, knowledge and network.

Other benefits for the scholarship includes:

  • 15 per cent reduction in Master’s degree tuition fees
  • Free access to a GIS Global Sports Summit in North America or Oceania
  • Role as a GIS student ambassador, specifically involved in strategies to increase access for women into the global sports industry

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be a female student holding an offer for a GIS Master’s degree course starting September 2024.

Applications are open now. Click here to find out more about the scholarship, as well as others available worldwide, and to apply before the deadline of July 1.

This is just one of many scholarships at GIS which aims to promote female inclusion within the global sports industry.

Millie Chandarana, a professional footballer for Blackburn Rovers Women, is a recipient of the South Asians in Football Leadership Scholarship.

Millie, who studies MSc Football Business, said: “It has been really good so far. I’ve been getting a lot out of it.

“Dev Trehan (Sky Sports journalist and Millie's scholarship mentor) has been great. He is able to offer me so much knowledge, advice and mentorship.

“South Asians in football is something that we’re both passionate about and being a South Asian woman in football myself, it’s something we try and change the landscape of.

“The scholarship is helping to change that.”

Siân Hillis is another scholarship recipient, receiving the Powerhouse Project Scholarship with GIS.

An MSc Football Coaching and Analysis student, Siân said: “I feel really privileged to have been awarded the Women in Sport Leadership Scholarship. 

“Achieving this Master’s degree will support with my future career ambitions of working in football.”

She added: “My coaching aspiration is to continue working in an elite female environment and continue gaining more experience along the way.”

Click here to view a GIS prospectus and kick off your career in the global sports industry.