Global Institute of Sport and former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor launch ‘study and play’ academy in Dubai

Staff Writer
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Global Institute of Sport (GIS) has announced an expansion into the Middle East by partnering with leading football performance specialists The Player, co-founded by former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor.

Aspiring footballers from across the globe can now study a GIS university degree and immerse themselves in an elite football environment with the stunning surroundings of Dubai.

The new ‘Study & Play: Dubai’ initiative provides footballers of all levels with an unprecedented opportunity to train and play in state-of-the-art facilities under the guidance of UEFA A licenced coaches. Alongside their football, students studying a specialist GIS online sports degree will receive local academic support, as well as be part of a global cohort of GIS students studying the same degree course.

Open to students from across the world to move to Dubai, successful applicants will be able to immerse themselves in the Middle East’s emerging football market, gain cutting-edge skills and apply for sports work placements that will shape their future both on and off the field.

The Player Co-Founder and former Newcastle United player Steven Taylor commented:

“This partnership with GIS offers a fantastic opportunity for young athletes. Education is one of our four main focuses at The Player, and we’re able to offer high level performance training alongside this education.”

Fellow The Player Co-Founder and UEFA A licenced coach Sam White added:

“We’re really proud to be introducing this partnership with Global Institute of Sport, and being able to offer young professionals and talented young athletes the opportunity to study a degree and play or work within the world of football in Dubai at the same time.”

GIS President and CEO Sharona Friedman stated:

“GIS was founded with the intention of bringing the best learning and education from the world of sport together so that students are able to graduate with a holistic understanding of best practice from around the globe.

“We are delighted to partner with The Player to provide an additional immersive opportunity for students to study and train in an elite football environment, whilst also bringing our education model to a new region, which will be at the forefront of sports business and performance for the decades to come.”

The GIS degrees available to study as part of this opportunity are:

All programmes are delivered entirely online with the exception of MSc Football Coaching & Analysis, which is largely online plus two residential weeks in either London, Miami or Melbourne.

For more information on Study & Play: Dubai, you can visit the link here: www.GIS.sport/dubai.

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New Vodafone & UEFA Partnership Secures Growth for Women’s Football

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Vodafone has announced a partnership to sponsor the UEFA women’s international and club soccer competition, as well as to become an official partner of the UEFA Champions League.

The deal renews a partnership that first started in the late 2000s, where Vodafone was an official partner of the Champions League between 2006 and 2009.

The company will sponsor the UEFA Women’s Champions League, UEFA Women’s Euros, UEFA Women’s Nations League, and some other international competitions until 2030. 

Vodafone has networks in important European soccer markets, such as the UK, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as partnerships in countries including France, Italy and Spain. 

Included in the service will be Wifi hotspot zones and a dedicated customer service deck in selected venues during the competition season. Another feature of the service will be an opportunity to win match tickets. All of these features will provide a beneficial marketing opportunity for Vodafone. 

Guy Laurent Epstein, UEFA’S executive director of marketing spoke about the alignment amonsgt both parties. 

“We are delighted to welcome Vodafone as a sponsor of UEFA Women’s Football and a UEFA Champions League Licensee,” he said in a press release. 

“Vodafone’s strong track record in supporting sport, coupled with their commitment to innovation and inclusion, aligns seamlessly with our ambition to grow the game at every level. Together, we look forward to creating impactful and engaging experiences that bring fans closer to the sport they love.” 

Nadine Kessler, UEFA’s women’s soccer director shared an excited sentiment regarding the new deal.  

“The meteoric rise of the women’s game, highlighted by the record-breaking success of this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euro is undeniable, and it continues to attract some of the world’s most recognisable brands eager to be a part of this groundbreaking moment.” Kessler said in a press release. 

This partnership will likely be beneficial for both Vodafone and the UEFA women’s competition, as it will provide ample marketing opportunities and exposure for Vodafone, whereas Vodafone will supply financial backing, improved stadium experiences for fans, and overall elevating the women’s game.

Bentleigh Greens SC Strike Deal with Local Brand Inner Athlete

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Bentleigh Greens SC have announced a partnership with Inner Athlete as the club’s new sponsor after the JGNPL (Junior Girls National Premier League) season has concluded.

Inner Athlete is a gym who specialises in strength & conditioning training, injury rehab, and youth athlete development to help young athletes aged 10-18 years to move better in their respected sprots, as well as perform at their best.

Bentleigh Greens SC President, Abraam Gregoriou stated the reason they partnered with Inner Athlete is their recognition of young female athletes who require a tailored program to improve strength, increase recovery times and above all prevent injury.

“Inner Athlete are a trusted partner already, so it was a no brainer to pursue that relationship in season 2026,” he said to SoccerScene.

“Bentleigh Greens believes the women’s game can thrive but only if we invest in our female football players at all ages and that includes in programs that Inner Athlete provides.”

To celebrate the new sponsorship, Inner Athlete are offering Bentleigh Greens SC members free discovery calls to see what program is right for them.

They are also delivering a special program during the Term 3 school holidays (22 Sept – 4 Oct), JGNPL players can bring a teammate to a free training session at Inner Athlete.

The gym caters to all sportspeople from all levels under pro-leagues, with Inner Athlete training and mentoring young athletes who can later enrol in major sports programs like Football Victoria Academy, which Inner Athlete and Football Victoria are partnered.

Bentleigh Greens SC announced this week an investment of $2.4 million through federal, council and themselves funding to build a brand-new pitch at the Kingston Heath Soccer Complex for the purpose of developing women’s football in the area.

Now with the sponsorship news, it shows Bentleigh Greens SC is wanting to boost women’s sports, including their girls soccer teams, by partnering and engaging with parties who share the same values.

In the middle of the year, Bentleigh Greens U15 Girls head coach, Matt Crawford was interviewed on the Inner Athlete podcast where they shared their experience coaching young women soccer players.

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