Applications are open for the first-ever ESA Diploma scholarship – a key part of the European Sponsorship Association’s commitment to cultivating diversity within the sponsorship industry.
The scholarship – which will give the successful candidate free access to the industry’s most coveted qualification – is open to anyone who can present a strong business case for acceptance and demonstrate why they need a fully-funded seat.
Applications are open until 17 December 2021 and the first ESA Diploma scholarship recipient will be part of the 2022 intake. The standard cost of the course is £3,295.00.
Akinola Fashola, West Ham United FC Partnerships Manager who graduated from the ESA Diploma in 2021, said: “I’m passionate about diversity in the sponsorship industry and it’s great that ESA is offering a scholarship place in 2022. It gives people an avenue into the industry that they may not have been aware of.
“I would encourage anyone from a diverse background to apply, because you need to have as much as possible in your arsenal to stand out in the industry but also because this is a chance to showcase your diversity and champion your views. You can learn a lot, build high-quality contacts and give yourself a stepping stone and a platform to kickstart your career in sponsorship.
“I really enjoyed the ESA Diploma – even though the course took place online there was a high level of interaction, and the content was comprehensive and relevant with high-quality speakers. West Ham United also saw the long-term benefit of members of our team getting the qualification and I’m grateful for their support.
“Being part of the wider ESA network has been really beneficial to me; it even enabled me to become an ambassador for NoTurningBack2020 and help with their mission to increase diversity in marketing and communications.”
Peter Raymond, ESA Diploma Course Director, said: “During the first 10 years it has become apparent that certain ethnicities are under-represented in the ESA Diploma class, and it’s high time that we took a lead in trying to change this.
“This qualification is the gateway to our international sponsorship community and the inaugural ESA Diploma scholarship provides an opportunity to enter a very exciting world. I would encourage anyone who fits the criteria to apply now, and I can’t wait to kick off the second decade of the course next year with the successful candidate.”
Amanda Fone, Founder & CEO of f1 recruitment ltd and Co-Founder of NoTurningBack2020, said: “We have advocated the ESA Diploma for many years; it is the sponsorship qualification we recommend to our candidates wanting to get on in the industry.
“We’re heartened to learn about the ESA Diploma scholarship being awarded for 2022 and we hope this is the first of many! The sponsorship industry needs more programmes like this to support increased diversity in the sector.”
To find out more and apply for the ESA Diploma scholarship visit https://sponsorship.org/diploma/esa-diploma-scholarship
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About the ESA Diploma
The ESA Diploma is designed for practitioners of all levels who wish to learn more about the commercial world of sponsorship and sports marketing. Its flexible, web-based platform enables its students to study when convenient, fitting around all aspects of their lives.
With an increasingly international reach – 15 countries were represented in 2021 alone – 582 practitioners have secured this essential qualification in the first 10 years of the ESA Diploma.
For media queries, please contact:
Jonathan Coates | ESA Marketing, Communications and Events Manager
jonathancoates@sponsorship.org | +44 7788 352219
