Manchester City Women team up with Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester City Women have announced a unique initiative which will see them work in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.

The four-year partnership sees the club and university join forces to offer bespoke education programmes designed to upskill students in a footballing environment.

A group of students studying events management at the university will be given behind the scenes access at the club before and during match days.

Starting from next season, they will have the opportunity to work alongside the club’s operations staff to put into practice the skills they have acquired, culminating in the opportunity to manage a home fixture themselves.

The partnership will see the university’s women’s football team take part in a training session led by City, while university coaching staff will have the chance to observe Manchester City Women’s training sessions.

First-team players and coaches will also deliver presentations at the university and share their knowledge and experiences with students at open days.

Commenting on the partnership, Manchester City and England captain Steph Houghton said: “The Manchester City Women’s team are proud to be involved in this unique venture that aims to give students hands-on experience managing a real match-day event.

“Nothing beats the buzz of a football crowd and it will provide a good test for students to put what they have learned in the classroom into practice.”

City’s head of women’s football Gavin Makel added: “Manchester Metropolitan University is a leading sports institute so we’re extremely excited to be working in partnership with them.

“Building on the work we’ve already done at the football club, we look forward to working with the university to continue to demonstrate that there is a pathway into football for girls and women, both on and off the pitch.”