Why Socceroo Bailey Wright Chose GIS to Prepare for Life After Football

Having helped Sunderland to Championship promotion and represented Australia at the World Cup, footballer Bailey Wright chose GIS to embark on his next challenge.

Bailey graduated in 2022 after studying with us part-time while still playing for Sunderland, where he made 89 league appearances. Before that he had a seven-year stint at Preston North End, followed by a move to Bristol City.

After earning 29 caps for Australia, including a World Cup appearance during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he now plays for Lion City Sailors in Singapore. But this busy career hasn’t stopped him from planning his next steps.

Building on an impressive playing CV, Bailey studied MSc Sports Directorship, and spoke to GIS about his experience.

“I never thought I’d be the sort of person who goes to uni or studies,” he said.

“I’ve been a footballer, I’ve achieved that, but I thought: ‘What’s next for me? What do I want to be when I finish playing?’” 

Provided with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to sit in a strategic leadership role in a sporting organisation, Bailey said the experience has been “incredible, and taken me out of my comfort zone. 

“It’s tested me mentally, and now I look forward to using it in my career.”

He also emphasised that being a footballer is his dream, but it’s a short-lived one. Bailey is not alone here, with other players feeling the same. These include Brad Guzan and Tsubasa Endoh, who have both enrolled on courses with us at GIS, studying the MSc Football Business and MSc International Sport Management, respectively.

Studying modules such as Football Finance, Football Operations Management, and Global Sports Leadership, the skills they’ve gained are designed to equip them with the necessary tools for a smooth transition into a career off the pitch.

Bailey also explained that it’s never too late to study, and that athletes in particular should keep this in mind.

“It’s massively important to plan for your next step.

“I never really was an academic person, my focus was always football, but that’s the beauty of education– you’re never too old to learn something new or educate yourself. You can do that your whole life, and it’s important you do.”

The centre-back also highlighted GIS’ network as a reason why he chose to study with us, and he has also felt reassured to know he can continue working in the game he loves.

Some studies even suggest that athletes who take steps to prepare for their future careers perform better on the pitch, and Bailey agrees.

A testament to athletes aiming to build their future beyond their playing careers, Bailey was still at Sunderland during his studies, and said: “I don’t see it as a distraction at all, I see it as a real positive. 

“I’ve done it for two years now and it hasn’t distracted me from my football. In the two years I’ve been studying, things have gone really well for me from a football point of view as well, so I think it goes hand in hand.”

“I think it’s exciting to know that you can open new doors and start something new whilst already having lived a career that was your dream, which you can now continue in a different role.”

If you’re an athlete who’s been inspired by Bailey’s story, or an aspiring professional who wants to get your foot in the door, explore our postgraduate courses in sport leadership and management to take the next step toward a career in the exciting and fast-paced sports industry.

Article by Zakaria Anani