A professional development pathway that mixes practical training, psychometric profiling and funded bursary places to help women progress into leadership roles within football
Women in Football Leadership Programme offers structured professional development for women pursuing careers in the football industry. The programme serves current practitioners and those seeking entry. It combines skills training, practical leadership practice and networking through online and in-person delivery.
Levels address early-career leadership through senior readiness, with targeted modules on public speaking, decision making and personal branding. Funded bursaries, offered in partnership with the Premier League, widen access for candidates with protected characteristics, socio-economic barriers or significant caring responsibilities.
Market data shows the offering includes psychometric profiling and post-programme coaching to support measurable career steps and improve representation across club, governing body and commercial roles.
The numbers
According to quantitative analysis of programme materials, fee structures vary by delivery and chosen levels.
Online fees are £660 for levels 1–2, £725 for levels 3–4 and £1,150 for levels 1–4. In-person fees are £750 for levels 1–2, £900 for levels 3–4 and £1,400 for levels 1–4. All fees include VAT and require a 30% deposit at booking. Advanced participants gain a 40-minute psychometric session, an extended DISC profile and two group coaching sessions. Alumni report promotion and role changes attributable to programme participation. Market data shows related sector education providers report high employment rates in football and sports roles.
Market context
From a macroeconomic perspective, demand for qualified talent in sports management remains strong. Investor sentiment toward sports commercialisation supports recruitment into commercial and media roles. The football sector increasingly values diverse leadership for governance and brand resilience. According to quantitative analysis, transferable leadership skills command premium roles across clubs and governing bodies. The programme aligns supply with employer expectations by emphasising board-level readiness and visible leadership.
Variables at play
Eligibility is aligned to participant experience. Levels 1–2 require several years of work experience. Levels 3–4 require at least two years of management experience. Completion of lower levels is not mandatory for advanced entry when experience criteria are met. Bursary availability depends on representation within the nine protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010, plus socio-economic and caring considerations. Accessibility factors such as travel, accommodation support and online delivery affect candidate uptake and cohort diversity.
Sector impacts
Financial metrics indicate the programme targets bottlenecks in progression for women across the football ecosystem. Skills emphasised include inclusive leadership, networking and public profile management. These competencies map directly to roles in club operations, governance, media and commercial partnerships. By offering psychometric tools and coaching, organisers aim to increase board readiness among participants and reduce time-to-promotion for mid-career professionals.
Outlook
Investor sentiment and employer demand suggest continuing need for targeted leadership development within the sport. Programme features—cohort-based learning, psychometrics and follow-up coaching—align with best practice for career acceleration. Prospective applicants should assess level criteria, delivery mode and bursary eligibility before applying. Those seeking bursary support must prepare documentation that demonstrates eligibility against stated characteristics and circumstances. The programme presents a structured pathway to translate leadership capability into measurable career progression across the football industry.
