Case studies: Administrative manager, Irish Football Association: Andrew

Andrew works in Belfast for the Irish Football Association. He completed a BSc in Sport Exercise and Leisure at Ulster University in 2006.

I was always interested in pursuing a career in sport. In the third year of my degree course I took a placement at Belfast City Council's Recreation Development Unit. In the last month of my year’s placement I discovered that the Irish Football Association were recruiting for a student to work on the planning and organisation of the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Under 19 Finals being hosted in Northern Ireland in 2005. I was lucky enough to be offered the position and decided to slow track my degree so that I completed my final year over two academic years.

My degree helped me to develop a range of skills. The guidance of the teaching staff and the opportunity to gain workplace experience proved invaluable. Modules such as Management in Sport and Leisure and Advanced Sports Development provided me with useful practical knowledge. However, it was the placement that earned me the experience and contacts which led to the job.

At the end of my year's contract I was offered a position in the Association's newly formed Competition Services Department and I've been there now for four years.

My first role within the Competition Services Department was as an administrative assistant, where I assisted the Head of Competition Services with general competition administration. I'm now responsible for the day to day management of various clubs and leagues such as the JJB Sports Irish Cup, WKD Intermediate Cup, Irish Football Association (IFA) Championship, IFA Reserve League and IFA Youth Leagues. On a day-to-day basis this involves providing them with assistance on fixture matters, player registration issues, drafting fixtures and making cup draws.

I'm also involved in key policy matters and strategies. In the past four years this has included:

• serving as secretary to an independent assessment panel that assessed and ranked applicant clubs;
• formation of the IFA Championship;
• introducing new player registration procedures and regulations;
• introducing new match-day admin procedures for member clubs.

The best thing about my job is being involved in a sport I love and providing input for the development of the game in Northern Ireland. I enjoy the interaction with clubs and leagues, and attending UEFA seminars. The seminars allow me to learn about what other national associations are doing to develop the game in their countries. The association is making great strides and is constantly evolving.

Next, I'm keen to take a diploma in management. It's difficult to say what opportunities will present themselves in the near future within the IFA, but I hope that I'll be in a position to apply for promotion in the near future.