The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), London, provided a superb venue for the graduation of the 2014 ESA Diploma students yesterday, 2nd December. 52 students from across the UK and mainland Europe (as well as India and Qatar) passed the course. Of these, nine Irish students graduated at a separate ceremony in Dublin last week.
With the seven-month distance learning course behind them, the students had reason to celebrate. ESA Course Director Peter Raymond and ESA Vice-Chairman Nigel Geach congratulated the ‘Class of 2014’ for all their hard work and commitment to their studies. Special guest Alan Pascoe MBE presented each student with a certificate.
Among the group, five students achieved distinction – Tom Baker, Stephanie Hanna, Susie Jacques, Kimberley Rhodes and Matt Readman, who was top student.
Nigel Geach said the graduation ceremony provided the perfect opportunity to formally recognise and applaud the students’ hard work – the future leaders within the industry. He also invited those 26 years old or under to apply for the new ESA Future Leaders Board that is being created.
The initiative seeks to provide young professionals with an opportunity to make a real difference and impact within the industry by shaping ESA events and having a voice on the Association’s Executive Board.
Peter Raymond congratulated the students and acknowledged that, while the Diploma is quite demanding, being able to apply the letters ‘ESA Dip‘ after their names is a fitting reward for their undeniable commitment and dedicated hard work.
Peter also commended the tremendous support received from across the industry by many sponsorship experts who have helped by contributing content, speaking at Seminars and generously marking the students’ course work. He remarked that the Diploma was truly fulfilling its key objective of being a course in which ‘the industry trains itself’.
The graduation ceremony was followed by tea in the David Lean Room. Guests included those who had mentored students within their own organisations, industry representatives who contributed to the course in a variety of ways as well as representatives from the course sponsors – Activative, ICON, Sport England and SportBusiness’ Sports Sponsorship Insider.
2015 Course
Next year’s Diploma starts on the 16th January 2015. To find out more visit the ESA website.
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For further information, contact the ESA Office via esaoffice@sponsorship.org or telephone +44 (0)20 8390 3311.