Ryan’s Premier League ambitions are bolstered by Cobblers internship

Ryan Ward is hoping his internship with a professional football club will help set him up for a crack at the big time.

The Sports Marketing Management undergraduate from the University of Northampton has lofty ambitions to become a commercial manager or chief executive of a Premier League outfit.

With a year still to go at University, he’s already taken a major step to try and get ahead of the competition, with an internship in the marketing department of League One new-boys, Northampton Town.

Ryan’s role as corporate marketing and events intern sees him run the club’s corporate Twitter account and carry out day-to-day duties including working with suppliers for quote, placing orders and redesigning 2016-17 material, including team sheets, the fixture list and staff passes.

“Classroom learning has been superb, but to make yourself stand out in the jobs market, you need real-life work experience, which the University really encourages and supports you to do,” said Ryan.

“I am really enjoying the experience of having a real-life corporate marketing role. It’s helped me to build up my confidence within all aspects of Sports Marketing and the management of myself.

“I’ve learnt many new skills in a work-based environment so I have experience in a career sector I am going to pursue. This will benefit me when I graduate.”

The University of Northampton has been the Cobblers’ principal partner since 2013, when it became the club’s main shirt sponsor – a deal which was renewed for a further three years in February.

The partnership means students, like Ryan, can benefit from internships with the club, work experience and participate in takeover days at Sixfields stadium.

The club’s Commercial and Marketing Manager, Caroline Lucy, said: “Ryan settled in very well and has brought youth and insight into the team, excelling in the areas of social media and digital marketing.

“Whilst course work teaches many great elements of marketing, there’s nothing quite like putting that into a real life work environment and Ryan has shown that good tuition certainly makes that transition a much easier one.”