Building a Career in the Football Industry: Lorenza van Gils’ Journey
“One thing was clear: I wanted to work in football. It has always been the industry that genuinely interests me. The challenge was that I did not yet know in which role or department I saw myself”.
This is what 14th Edition Alumna, Lorenza van Gils, told us when she began her search for a Master Program. Finishing a Bachelors degree in Sports Communication, she knew she wanted to continue her studies. Assuming she would just do so in her home country, the Netherlands, she enrolled into what at the time felt like the correct next step, a Masters in Communication.
However, something wasn’t sitting right with her, so she made a brave and honest decision: she withdrew. Without a clear path and wanting to give herself more time to understand what she wanted to do next, she headed to Spain to study Spanish where she quickly realized she had made the right decision. Having time to search for programmes in her true passion, football, she found The Football Business Academy (The FBA).
As she explored options to build a career in the football industry, she realised the importance of finding a programme that offered a broad and practical perspective.
From Uncertainty to a Career in the Football Industry
“The programme did not focus on just one discipline. It covered everything from football law and economics to sporting analysis and stadium operations. That broad perspective was exactly what I was looking for. I did not want to narrow myself too quickly. I wanted to explore the industry in depth and discover where I truly fit.”
Now as the Office and Operations Manager at Orange Veins, Lorenza has found herself in an exciting and dynamic work environment within just 8 months after graduation. Her and her team organize tournaments for top youth clubs and national teams all over the world, as well as trips for academies or clubs looking to compete against elite youth teams. The office team is tight-knit and collaborative, and she also gets the chance to travel frequently for tournaments and trips.
Her journey reflects how the right education and experience can help build a career in the football industry.
Lorenza shares her journey with us and how The FBA played a role in her landing a job in the Football Industry.
Bridging Theory and Industry Reality
The Football Business Academy is a global education institution dedicated to preparing professionals for the football industry. The Professional Master in Football Business is a 12-month hybrid (online + in-person) programme designed to equip students with the knowledge, experience, and network needed to work in football organizations, clubs, federations, agencies, sponsors, and related companies.
Broken into 4 modules over the year, modules 1 and 2 are online study with lectures, readings, and live discussions. For Lorenza, she told us the online phase was a good introduction. Studying virtually required her a lot of focus, but she genuinely enjoyed working on the assignments. She says, “When you are interested in the subject, it stops feeling like an obligation and starts feeling meaningful.”
Classes are taught by industry leaders with decades of experience in the industry, telling us she genuinely appreciated the professors. This was especially valued by her because they were actively working in football themselves from organizations such as UEFA, Worcester City Women FC, Arowana Sports, Double Pass, and more. That practical experience made the classes feel relevant and grounded in reality rather than purely theoretical. They treated her and her cohort as professionals, not just students. There was always room for discussion, critical thinking, and honest questions. At the same time, they were approachable and supportive, which created a positive learning environment.
Additionally, during module 1 and 2, Candidates are invited to a Networking Week, attending World Football Summit and going on Field Trips to clubs and organizations. Lorenza said, “It was a great opportunity to finally meet my classmates in person, that aspect was genuinely valuable. Attending a major event and being surrounded by industry professionals was also an interesting experience.” However, since World Football Summit travels globally, some of these events can take place in locations that may not necessarily have a direct strategic advantage but can offer connections and learning experiences through panels. It’s also a great first step into learning how to network at such large events and a true first look into the football industry.
The Internship: Gaining a Professional Edge
Module 3 is a guaranteed internship placement for at least 3 months in a football club or organization. Lorenza completed her internship at Sint-Truidense VV (STVV), and for her looking back, it turned out to be a very valuable experience. “I was given real responsibilities and gained insight into how a professional club operates on a daily basis. Being involved behind the scenes allowed me to understand the practical side of decision making, communication flows, and the realities of working in a football organisation. That hands-on exposure helped me grow both professionally and personally. My new job also liked seeing this on my CV.”
While she had imagined stepping further outside geographically, once she shifted her focus from the location to the learning opportunity itself, she realized that the value of an internship lies more in the responsibilities, mentorship, and exposure you receive than in the location. In that sense, the experience proved to be meaningful and formative. While The FBA tailors the experience to Candidates as much as possible, it’s very important to come into these roles with an open mind.
Module 4: Global Projects and the Path to Employment
The final module consists of an on-site classroom experience in Lisbon, Portugal, including field trips and a Student Business Project (SBP) where candidates work on real consulting projects for partner organizations (a club, league, or federation).
The field trips were undeniably impressive for her, to visit established clubs and see their facilities from the inside. Experiences like that give context to what is studied in class and make the industry more tangible. For her, the added value was more inspirational than practical, which can vary from student to student as those who are naturally strong networkers or looking to build connections in those specific markets will gain concrete outcomes from it.
For her Student Business Project Lorenza and her team worked with Pafos FC, focusing on how they could globalise their club. Because this kind of change affects the entire organisation, they approached it from multiple angles. She told us, “Each of us contributed based on our own experiences and strengths. For example, one classmate was interested in partnerships, so he took the lead on that side, while I applied my communications knowledge to follow up and integrate that work.”
Personally, the experience was also very valuable for her as when applying for her current role, the employers appreciated that she had practical experience both at STVV and Pafos, which helped her stand out and feel confident about what she could contribute. With clubs valuing hands-on experience during the hiring process, Lorenza and all The FBA Alumni can confidently share experiences from many different angles.
Building Visibility and Support for Women
As with most Masters Degrees the financial investment can be a huge determining factor for Candidates. In addition, taking the leap as a woman trying to enter a still very male dominated industry, can make the financial investment seem even scarier.
Thanks to Women in Football’s GetOnSide Pledge, The FBA has partnered up to offer a 40% scholarship for members. Lorenza received guidance throughout the application process about the Women in Football scholarship after sharing her interest in the program and passion to work in football. That opportunity gave her the confidence to take the leap.
“The Women in Football scholarship was really impactful, not just for me, but also for my female classmates. In our class, we had eight women, which I think is a strong representation. The scholarship clearly supports visibility and opportunities for women in the industry, and it made a real difference in encouraging us to take part and feel supported.” She even told us that while she hasn’t had the opportunity yet to take advantage of it, Women in Football offers events, guest speakers and many networking opportunities for their members.
A Full-Circle Moment: Turning Passion into a Professional Reality
After graduation The FBA strives to keep a tight knit Alumni group as the football industry is always about connections and learning and growing from each other. After graduation, Lorenza said that she still has a good relationship with some of her classmates and was even able to go on vacation with two of them. She knows that if any of them need it, they can reach out to each other and will always be there for support.
She even has gone on to help current candidates. She said, “I have a good working relationship with one of the Candidates from the 15th edition. He reached out with questions about my work with Pafos for his internship, and we’ve kept in touch since, sharing advice about The FBA and work in football. I’d say it’s a sort of mentorship, but one that goes both ways, we both learn from each other and support each other’s growth.”
Additionally, she is in a role now, where interns are needed and that The FBA can reach out to her if any Candidates are interested in working events. Since she oversees the interns, she says The FBA Candidates have priority over other applicants, as she knows what to expect from the quality of intern.
Looking back, Lorenza told us that choosing not to start that first master’s was the right decision. It allowed her to find a programme that truly matched her ambitions. The FBA gave her knowledge of the football industry, but also clarity about herself. “It confirmed that I belong in football, and it helped me move forward with direction and confidence.” And through The FBA network, the role she ended up in came through one of her FBA classmates.
After reflecting from this interview, she realises how proud she is of her growth over the past three years. She said, “There was a time when I chose the “easy route,” enrolling in a masters degree simply because the idea of a job felt intimidating. From that point, I took a leap: I went abroad, followed my instincts and dreams, and now I’m working in a role that I genuinely enjoy, alongside fun and inspiring colleagues. I am the proudest that young Lorenza would look up to Lorenza now and think she is really cool. It’s a full-circle moment that reminds me how far taking risks and trusting yourself can take you.”
If you want to look back in a few years and make your younger self proud for taking the leap towards your dream career in football, now is the time. Join The FBA today. Applications are open for September and March, and those who confirm their place by May 31 will automatically benefit from the Early Bird Scholarship. Apply now.
