The Global Institute of Sport is excited to welcome professional footballer Tsubasa Endoh onto one of our postgraduate degree courses this September.

Japanese winger Tsubasa, who played for global clubs including Melbourne City, LA Galaxy II and Toronto FC, will be starting a Master’s with GIS this September in MSc International Sport Management.

After representing Japan at multiple youth levels, Tsubasa moved to North America, where he was named MVP in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.

Following this, he played for Toronto FC for six years, where he initially found out about the Global Institute of Sport.

Tsubasa has not been playing professional football since a 2022 diagnosis of leukaemia, but is keen to pursue a second career in the sports industry through GIS.

When asked about why he chose GIS to further his education of the sports industry, he said: “I used to play for Toronto FC for six years and I’ve heard really good things about their undergraduate programs.

“I knew that GIS has a strong connection with Toronto FC and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and I reached out to a few people at Toronto FC as soon as I figured that I wanted to pursue a Master’s in Sports Management.

“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. 

“Since then, the service and support from the GIS people are really second to none. The process of getting into the postgraduate is so smooth that there was no stress whatsoever from my end.

“I am just excited to start my postgrad this September and get to know my fellow students along the way!”

To find out more about the global postgraduate degree courses available at GIS, click here.

You can also score your career goals in the sports industry by viewing a GIS prospectus here.