The European Sponsorship Association is delighted to announce the successful completion of the largest ever ESA Diploma class.
A total of 76 students from the January 2020 intake of the ESA Diploma graduated this week, marking the culmination of a challenging and unique eight months of study. The 2020 ESA Diploma class saw the students successfully adapting to a series of alternative online components to cope with the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Three students graduated with Distinction marks, with Matteo Ciampani of Everton FC topping the class – the first from a rights holder and Premier League club to achieve the status of top student.
A further 17 students scored Highly Commended – eight from outside the UK, including Finola Roache (Rugby Players Ireland), who was awarded top set brief project.
The class was also notable for being by far the largest distance learning cohort to-date, with students from nine countries and four continents graduating – including 10 from South Africa and 20 from Ireland.
The ESA Diploma continues to be regarded as the essential qualification for a career in sponsorship and sports marketing, with many of Europe’s leading sports and entertainment organisations trusting the ESA Diploma to accelerate the development of their staff.
This year’s class included students from four Premier League clubs, three Formula 1 teams and other prestigious organisations such as IMG, NBA, NFL, RBS, the Rugby Football Union, Toyota, Visa, World Rugby and WWE.
Made up of six modules with complementary seminars from January to August, the part-time course is designed to be flexible, enabling those working full-time to study when convenient to fit in with their existing commitments.
ESA Diploma Course Director, Peter Raymond, said:
“At the end of every Diploma course I always think of the class as ‘special’. However, this was no ordinary year and the Class of ’20 deserves special commendation. Despite upheaval, uncertainty and distraction, these excellent results bear testimony to the way in which these students acquitted themselves so resourcefully.
It was especially rewarding that many students reported back that the Diploma was great for their morale during this difficult period. This group was a pleasure to be involved with throughout and I congratulate every one of them on their achievements.”
For more information about the 2021 ESA Diploma, head HERE
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For media queries, please contact:
Max Weber
Marketing Communications and Events Manager – ESA
Email: maxweber@sponsorship.org / Phone: +44 07383 726 544