Sports Governance Discovery Day hosted by The FA

Sports Governance Discovery Day

Hosted by The FA in partnership with Flex Legal, Ingen Partners and the Chartered Governance Institute.

Are you a student, recent graduate, or career changer curious about a career in sports governance?

We are pleased to invite registrations for our Sports Governance Discovery Day hosted by The FA. This half-day event is designed to provide a practical, behind-the-scenes look at the role of a governance professional within football’s governing body.

Event Details

• Date: Friday 13th November 2026

• Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm

• Location: Wembley Stadium, London

Purpose of the Day

The Discovery Day offers a valuable opportunity to gain insight into the world of sports governance. You will hear first-hand from leading professionals about their career journeys, learn about the different qualification pathways, and participate in interactive sessions to understand the real-world responsibilities and challenges involved in the role.

About The FA

The FA is the governing body of football in England and is responsible for promoting and developing the game at every level, from grassroots participation to the England teams. The FA works with stakeholders across the game to set its strategic direction, oversee regulation and governance, support the development of players, coaches and referees, deliver national competitions, and ensure football is safe, inclusive and accessible. Behind these activities sits a significant governance framework that helps ensure transparency, accountability and effective decision-making.

The Schedule

• Welcome & Introduction: An overview of the profession and various entry pathways.

• Sport Governance Insights: Learn more about sports governance from professionals in the field. Hear personal career stories and a "day in the life" from the FA team.

• Professional Pathways: Briefings on the CGI qualification routes and insights from Ingen Partners and Flex Legal.

• Interactive Workshop: A hands-on, scenario-based group exercise.

• Networking: Informal conversation with refreshments.

Important Information

To ensure engagement, we keep our groups small and spaces are limited. We will be reviewing all applications and will aim to get back to you to let you know if you have secured a place by Friday 30th October.

When registering your interest, we recommend:

• Researching what a governance professional does.

• Considering why you are interested in learning more about sports governance.

• Reflecting on why a career in sports governance appeals to your particular skill set.

There is some helpful information here: https://www.sportsgovernanceacademy.org.uk/

Register your Interest

If you would like to register your interest for the event on Friday 13th November, please click “apply” on this page. You will be taken to an application form and asked to provide some information. You will also need to:

• Provide a CV or link to your LinkedIn.

• Tell us in 100 words why you are interested in attending the Sports Governance Discovery Day hosted by The FA.

Please apply by Friday 16th October and we will aim to confirm attendees by Friday 30th October. If at any point you are no longer interested, or able to attend, please contact trainee@f-lex.co.uk.

Please note that attendees need to be over 18 and that photo ID will be required to gain access to the event.