“We're empowering women, men and non-binary people with knowledge, expertise and collective support to create a stronger, brighter and more diverse future. While others champion the need for change, Women in Football are the ones driving it.” - Women in Football
Going on its 8th year of partnership, The Football Business Academy (The FBA) has once again committed to Women in Football’s #GetOnside pledge. According to Women in Football (WIF), #GetOnside is “a rallying cry to be on the side of change when it comes to gender equality in football. Organisations and individuals across football are committing to take action to improve the landscape for women and girls in the game because women in football are fundamental to the success of football.” To be onside means you are actively helping to bring about a permanent and positive change for gender equality in football on and off the pitch, which is why The FBA is continuing its commitment to making access easier for women looking to enter the industry.
After awarding over 30 partial scholarships in the last 8 years, The FBA understands that education can be a financial barrier. However, starting with education is an important step to beginning the journey of entering the football industry. With a Professional Master degree in Football Business from The FBA, candidates not only receive theoretical knowledge, but also gain hands-on experience through internships, business projects and networking events. Each Edition, at least 3 women (6 per year) are awarded a scholarship up to 40% of tuition fees. This need-based scholarship allows women who may not have the necessary finances to join The FBA.
Alumnus Alinne Castro says, “The scholarship The FBA provided in partnership with Women In Football was decisive in my decision to enroll in the program, and I am very thankful for the opportunity it has offered to me and other women who are entering the industry. Achieving a better football landscape requires diversity across all areas, ensuring that decisions reflect a range of perspectives that benefit all participants. Empowering women with opportunities and incentives like this makes a significant step towards promoting inclusivity within the football community.”
More Than a Network: A Movement for Equity in Football
WIF is a network of professionals who support and champion their peers in the football industry. They see that big steps have been made recently but understand there is still so much more to do. It’s their mission to change the underrepresentation and discrimination women face. Offering career enhancing workshops and seminars, leadership courses, mentorship, networking events, and even fun watch parties, their hope is to chip away at the barriers holding women back in their careers.
Each year WIF shares a survey for their members to express their feelings about inequalities in the sport. From its most recent report, “almost four out of five WIF members (78%) want to see more gender diversity in boardrooms, 71% want more support for the development of women in leadership roles and horrifyingly, almost one in three (29%) have experienced social media abuse based on their gender”.
Women in Football CEO Yvonne Harrison said, “The headline data from the 2025 survey remains relatively static, and in many areas, bleak. They are not just numbers: they are the lived experiences of people working in the game, and they deserve better. If the industry is to change, we need to recognise these hard truths. We can safely assume that the real levels of discrimination are even higher, with a third of female respondents stating they had not reported incidents due to a lack of faith and trust in workforce processes, or for a fear of retribution.”
Something that is special about Women in Football is that while they are encouraging and empowering women, they support other gender inequities, racism, the LGBTQ+ community and want allies including men to participate, become educated, and help women continue to break barriers in the sport. Becoming a member is completely free. You’ll receive monthly newsletters and gain access to the events and workshops they hold. You’ll be able to participate in the yearly survey which helps in understanding the changes happening within the industry.
A Powerful Alliance for Gender Equality in Football
The FBA and WIF have worked together in more ways than one. While the #GetOnside pledge to offer a scholarship is one of the biggest partnership offerings, they also partner together in the classroom. WIF Chair Ebru Köksal, CFA, is professor of Leadership in Football, and former WIF CEO Jane Purdon, MFA, is professor of Governance in Football. Both teaching in the 4th Module which takes place in Lisbon, Portugal, it gives candidates and scholarship recipients the opportunity to meet with them in person. Other members of WIF have joined as guest lecturers and can be met at networking events such as World Football Summit or WIF’s very own Be Inspired Conference.
The FBA Alumni also have an impact on WIF. Alumna Zarah Shah is the WIF company secretary and Gina Stein is a Membership Committee member. Zarah is a 7th Edition Alumna who was awarded a WIF scholarship. Now successfully in the Football Industry as a Partnerships and Engagement Manager for City Group Football she says, “I wish I’d chased my dream earlier. I believed in myself but just let other things get in the way. It wouldn’t have happened without The FBA.”
Gina reached her dream job quickly after graduation and now works as a Sustainability Specialist at RB Leipzig. You can read about her journey with The FBA here. She says, “The WIF scholarship made it possible for me to join the FBA program. Beyond the financial support, it demonstrated the FBA’s commitment to empowering women in the football industry. Receiving the scholarship showed me that they value equal opportunities and are willing to actively support women on this journey. It is also a pledge to work together toward a more inclusive and equitable playing field.
Initiatives like the WIF scholarship not only help women access education and opportunities in the football industry, they also signal real commitment to increasing representation and supporting women throughout their careers. Becoming part of the WIF community is especially meaningful, as it offers access to a big network of like-minded women, role models, and peers facing similar barriers. It creates an environment where women feel more supported, connected, and empowered to enter and thrive in the industry.”
Your Path to Applying for the WIF Scholarship
As this is a need-based scholarship, eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need by providing supporting documentation during the application process, along with a personal statement that outlines their passion for football and their career goals, mentioning how the scholarship would benefit them financially. Proof of Women in Football membership will also be required as part of the application process.
To apply to The FBA, you must meet three requirements:
- Have a passion for Football
- Hold a university degree or have at least 3 years of work experience
- Have a conversational level of English
If you meet these requirements then you may complete an application and provide a motivational letter, a resume/CV, a copy of your passport, a copy of your university degree, proof of WIF membership, and it is recommended but not required, to upload need-based documents. These can include and are not limited to, Tax Returns, Proof of Income, Bank Statement, Unemployment Documents, Student Loan Documentation, Social Welfare/Benefits Documents, Proof of Dependents. While they are not mandatory, by not submitting documents, it could reduce the chance of award if other candidates show greater need and have submitted documentation, so it is highly recommended to do so.
The Admissions Committee will review all applications and notify successful candidates of any scholarships granted based on the provided documentation and successful admission into The FBA. This process will begin once all applications are received, with decisions made within one week after the application window closes. The scholarship is currently available for the upcoming March 2026 Edition with applications closing December 15th, 2025.
If you are interested in starting your career in the football industry, join The FBA today and apply for the Women in Football scholarship. Spots and scholarships are limited.
