INTERNSHIP IN FOOTBALL: From Firefighter to Football Analyst
Daniel Van der Laat’s transition into the football industry is a testament to the power of networking, resilience, and a passion for the game.
With a background as a firefighter, Daniel knew breaking into football would be a challenge. But through The Football Business Academy and a connection made during the FIFA Volunteer Program at the Qatar World Cup, he secured an internship with the Nicaraguan Football Federation in their Tactical Analysis Department.
In this blog, Daniel shares how FBA’s tailored guidance and industry connections helped him navigate his career pivot, tackle real-world challenges like leading a scouting process in Costa Rica, and align his passion for tactical analysis with his long-term goals in football.
What drew you to your current internship opportunity, and how did The FBA play a role in securing it?
Networking has always played an important role in the opportunities I have had. In this case, thanks to a colleague I met during the FIFA Volunteer Program in Qatar World Cup, I got the opportunity to connect with the Football Federation of Nicaragua because she was working there. The FBA offered me other possible opportunities, but both of us (Nicolas Martin and I) decided that this opportunity with Nicaragua was the best for me because I will have the chance to work in the Tactical Analysis Department.
The FBA plays an important role in giving you the opportunities, but also in giving advice to follow the best choice for each one of us depending on our background.
Was the promise of a program that secures internships for its students a key factor in your decision? If so, why?
Networking and the experience to work in a football related institution are both key factors in the football industry, and the FBA offers both things in their program.
When I decided to get into this industry, which was a big decision for me because I come from a different background, my biggest fear was…How will I connect with the football industry if I have been working as a firefighter for seven years and my current networks are totally different? But after the first interview with the FBA staff, I felt that this was the place, and after several months in the program, I can confirm this. The connection I have with professors, the different people I met during the Field Trips and different events, and the experience during the internship makes the FBA a great choice to make the first step of this journey.


Can you describe a real-world challenge you faced during your internship and how you overcame it?
My biggest challenge during my internship was to approach a football club in Costa Rica for a scouting process without having any previous experience and without knowing a lot of people in the industry. The idea was to make a scouting process for a young player that might be an interesting fit for the future of the National Team of Nicaragua. This task was not mandatory and it was just an optional assignment, but I really wanted to try and accomplish the goal. I approached a friend of mine (Indira) who works for a women’s football youth academy and she helped me to meet with the coaching staff of the team. During the meeting, I exposed the objective of the scouting process and how good this could be for all the parties involved. The coaching staff was great and accepted my request, giving me the opportunity to follow the player during the training sessions and during the matches.
How has your internship experience changed your perspective on working in the football industry?
As I mentioned before, I come from a totally different background. One year ago I was working as a fire fighter with a well-developed career and now I am a “rookie” in the football industry, but for me, life is about opportunities and taking the risk.
I think that working hard and being humble are the main pillars for success. Having this internship helped me figure out that although my background is not football-related, it can still help me for this new experience. The main things I learned as a fire fighter (team work, working under pressure, responsibility, discipline, flexibility…) helped me a lot during my internship and to succeed during the process.
With this experience working for Nicaragua Football Federation, I was able to find out that the most important thing is the attitude, the desire to learn, and to be humble. If you combine these things with hard work and a good mentor that can teach you what you need to learn, success can be accomplished.


What is one piece of advice or lesson from The FBA that has been invaluable during your internship?
For me, the two most important pieces of advice that the FBA gave me that I really tried to apply during my internship are: give a good personal image and take advantage of the networking. For me, this internship with Nicaragua was not only a 4-month experience, but it also gave me valuable people that I know can help me in the future.
What makes your internship experience unique, and how does it align with your long-term career goals in football?
Having the opportunity to work with the Sports Intelligence Department, performing tasks as a football analyst, which is the area I like the most, was a great experience. The responsibility of helping the national team based on my personal football analysis with the support and guidance of Isaac (the analyst I was working with) helped me to improve my skills. The fact that the tactical reports and video analysis in which I worked on were used for matches of big competitions (CONCACAF Nations League or CONCACAF Central American Cup) makes me feel happy about the improvement I had during the 4-month process.
The experience of working with Isaac was great, and he was very good support for me during the process, playing an important role in my learning and improvement.
This internship totally aligns with my long-term career goals in football for the future because this area (tactical analysis) is what I like the most. I would like to work in this department for a club in my country (Costa Rica) in the future, and I hope the experience with this internship can help me achieve this goal.
Daniel’s journey from firefighter to football analyst highlights how determination, adaptability, and the right support system can open doors to new opportunities.
At The Football Business Academy, internships like Daniel’s are more than just an opportunity—they are an integral part of the program. With a tailored approach, extensive industry network, and personalized guidance, The FBA ensures that each Candidate is positioned to make their mark in football. Whether you’re looking to pivot into the industry or take your existing passion to the next level, the FBA’s internship program is your gateway to success.
Daniel is part of the 14th Edition of our Professional Master in Football Business.
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