The Ulster Business School (UBS) has joined forces with the Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association (IRUPA) to create a bespoke programme of study.
Seven Ulster Rugby players have completed the inaugural programme to equip players for professional life post-rugby and have been awarded the University of Ulster Certificate in Personal and Professional Development (Entrepreneurship) CPPD.
Janette Sheerman, senior lecturer, Ulster Business School, explained: “Professional rugby players’ lives are dominated by training, travelling and playing leaving little time to pursue conventional forms of study.
“Realistically, rugby is not a ‘job for life’ and as such the Ulster Business School’s task was to create an academic and personal development initiative which would equip the players with appropriate knowledge and skills to enable them to carve out business careers in the future.
“A triple module programme was developed comprising facilitated workshops, master classes and assignments which moved each participant through best management practice to entrepreneurship.
“The first cohort from Ulster Rugby is successfully through the Certificate stage and is now eligible to progress to the advanced certificate and potentially to a BSc Hons in management practice.
“Ulster Business School was delighted to have been asked to work with Ulster Rugby in this unique project and we hope that the players’ immersion into the world of business will give them a practical and inspiring taste of life off the field of play.”
Speaking at the awards Ken Belshaw, Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association said: “The joint project between UBS and IRUPA targets players who have a keen interest in business but due to training and playing commitments aren’t able to take advantage of conventional ways to study and increase their knowledge and transferable skills.
“The course provides step by step guidance on key areas that are central to starting new business and how to make it a success. All modules have been delivered by local experts within the business industry and IRUPA would like to them for their continued support along with Janette Sheeman (UBS) who has played a major role in bringing the programme to life over the past 9 months.”