This unique course is designed for new graduates and those entering into a professional sporting arena for the first time. The course is designed to prepare prospective employees in those areas that are specific to a Club environment and covers in detail the following modules:

• Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT)
• Health and safety
• Safeguarding
• Equality/Diversity/Inclusion
• Mental Health/wellbeing
• Confidentiality
• Record keeping
• Media TV
• Social Media
• Expectations of behaviour and general professionalism
• Integration within the MDT environment
• Insight into the working week and awareness of un-clinical skills
• From `Theory to Practice’
• How the science sits in the working environment
• What an employer is looking for – Employability, CPD, Reflective Practice, CV
• Portfolio design.

Each module consists of 5 credits with 5 multiple choice questions for each credit, marked automatically. In total the course amounts to approximately 50 hours of learning and can be taken over a period of 6 months. A certificate is issued on completion of the programme.

The course is open to Sports Scientists, Physiotherapists, Doctors, Analysts, Sports Therapists, Strength and Conditioning Coaches, Fitness Coaches, Soft Tissue Therapists, and Sports Rehabilitators, as well as service providers to clubs such as Sports Psychologists, Nutritionists and Podiatrists.

Why should I enrol on this course?

Graduating in a sports related profession is an exciting time for anyone hoping to forge a career in professional sport. But of course, this is only the first hurdle on the pathway to landing your dream job. While you may have attained a level of skill at degree level within your discipline, there remains a huge gap between graduate attainment and the knowledge base needed to practise at the highest level of professional sport.

In what is a hugely competitive industry, marginal gains within your job applications can often give you the edge by demonstrating a determined ambition to succeed in your aspirations at all costs.

Completing the Medicine and Performance Association (MPA) Diploma demonstrates a real commitment to engage with and fully understand the role of practitioners working in the unique environment of an MDT within professional football.

Practitioners who have completed the MPA Diploma automatically received eligibility to join the Football Medicine & Performance Register. The Football Medicine & Performance Association (FMPA) Register is for those practitioners with experience of working within professional football or providing consultancy to professional clubs/individuals.  

“The MPA diploma is an excellent resource and qualification to help newly graduated practitioners with the transition into professional sport – bridging the gap between formal education and the practicalities of the industry.” – Dr Russ Wrigley, Head of Academy Sports Science and Medicine, Blackburn Rovers FC

“Any practitioner wanting to enter the VUCA world of professional football at any level, senior ladies or men’s or Academy would greatly benefit from undertaking this course. I would suggest any head of performance in bigger organisations may “enrol” new practitioners on this course & ask for their written learning outcomes….A start of formal reflective practice, CPD & an annual review.” – Grant Downie OBE, Consultant in Medicine & Performance Solutions

“Within the evolutionary world of elite sport, it is key for support staff to understand the ever-changing environment in which they operate. Irrespective of qualifications and experience, staff need to enter the landscape and be skilled in aspects of emotional intelligence and self-awareness. The MPA diploma will assist practitioners in preparing for the pressures and expectations they will face when working in high performance.” – Ross Burbeary, Head of Football Development & Performance, Derby County FC

“I applaud the FMPA and the course development team for producing an educational programme that is appropriate, realistic and necessary for any therapist or performance practitioner hoping to work in professional sport, and especially football. It is a course that covers so much of the vital environmental and “industry” information required,  but never fully addressed in their pre-registration programmes.  It is, therefore, a course that I would unequivocally recommend to any practitioner considering a career in professional sport as it will prepare them for facing and understanding the realities of the hard and unforgiving world that they are about to enter.” –  Professor Graham Smith, Rehabilitation and Sports Injury Consultant

Please ensure you have read and agree to the MPA Courses cancellation and refund policy.