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The Premier League footballers studying to be sporting directors

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Awoniyi points to the “ups and downs” he has experienced as a footballer, referencing the serious injury he suffered in May 2025 when he was placed in a medically induced coma after rupturing an intestine in a collision with a goalpost when playing for Nottingham Forest against Leicester City.

To him, it is important to keep improving and to recognise there is more to life than football, which is where the Professional Footballers’ Association course comes in.

Awoniyi says: “It’s not like a 9-5 job in football. We go in and sometimes finish quite early and, although it’s challenging, I think every footballer has time in the evening for something like this business school.

“Of course, it demands a lot from you and it’s all about how willing you are to do it. I say to people there are a lot of things that are bigger than football.

“Yes, football is our passion, but we are normal human beings as well and maybe that’s something the world doesn’t always see.”

The graduates certainly appear no different from anyone else celebrating an academic achievement, exhibiting their pride.

Awoniyi has brought members of his extended family to the ceremony, while Dewsbury-Hall seeks out former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, now working in Qatari football, to discuss the art of scoring goals.

“Obviously there are stereotypes around footballers,” Dewsbury-Hall says.

“But in every industry there are smart people and there are people who aren’t so smart. You’d be surprised how many intelligent people there are in football.

“Maybe some players just don’t want to do things like this, but they easily could. It’s just not their passion.

“I’m not saying this is my passion, but it’s something I’ve done to show that footballers can complete these kinds of courses while they’re still playing. Who knows where it will lead?”

The course is designed to run alongside a football career. Seminars are scheduled to minimise clashes with matches and training sessions.

Players can study in their own time, although Dewsbury-Hall says he has had some “weird looks” while studying on an iPad during journeys home from away games.

Every graduate has a different story.

For Wycombe Wanderers defender Steve Cook, who captained Bournemouth in the Premier League earlier in his career, the course marked a return to formal education for the first time since his school days. Having already obtained coaching badges, he knows he is approaching the end of his playing career.

Some may not actively use their newly gained expertise for many years. All will benefit in some way, though, believes Azpilicueta.

“It’s not only about preparing for life after football. It’s about becoming a better version of yourself in your football career as well,” the former Spain defender, who retired from playing at the end of last season, tells BBC Sport.

Education has been part of his life and is what helped him become a leader on and off the pitch.

Azpilicueta built a career after turning professional with hometown club Osasuna at the age of 17.

He had continued studying until that point and, after abandoning his degree when he became a professional footballer, he later returned to complete an MBA at Harvard University in the United States during his nine-year spell at Chelsea.

The desire to study before playing the biggest match of his club career, Chelsea’s Champions League final triumph five years ago, indicates how he balanced his two interests.

“Normally I’d have a nap after lunch if the game was later in the day, but that day it was impossible. You could hear the fans and you knew a big game was coming up. Having my studies also helped me focus and improve myself away from football,” he explains.

After ending his playing days with Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, Azpilicueta says he will not be rushing into his next role.

The PFA course includes sessions from prominent figures, such as Brighton chief executive Paul Barber, designed to help students understand how different areas of the football industry operate.

For now, many remain focused on playing football. But among this year’s graduates might be future coaches, executives and sporting directors who go on to influence the game in different ways.

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URC: Callum Sheedy ‘header’ goes viral as Cardiff fly-half admits surprise

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Sheedy played his part in the victory in Llanelli before being replaced in the second half by Jarrod Evans, who has returned to Cardiff from Harlequins this season.

With Ioan Lloyd, who is currently injured, also in the Cardiff ranks, head coach Corniel van Zyl has three Wales fly-halves to call on.

“All I can do as a player is try my best and perform the best I can,” said Sheedy.

“We all want to be number one, so how we go about that is going to be challenging because we’re all going to want to play.

“I’m sure it’ll be healthy competition.”

Cardiff return to the Arms Park to face Zebre on Friday night, where they lost only one home game last season.

“It does make a big difference,” said Sheedy.

“Hopefully we get a big crowd because I remember last season there were a lot of close games, and in the last 10 minutes, the crowd got us over the line.

“Corniel speaks a lot about making the Arms Park a fortress and we managed that last season.”

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World Grand Prix Darts: Luke Humphries ‘hates’ added title pressure from Luke Littler’s shock early exit in Leicester | Darts News

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Luke Humphries says he must improve if he is to challenge for a second World Grand Prix title and admits he would have preferred defending champion Luke Littler to have avoided an early exit.

Humphries – the 2023 champion and a runner-up the last two editions of the double-start major – produced a lacklustre performance during his straight-sets victory over Dave Chisnall at the Mattioli Arena.

The world No 2 hit under 27 per cent of his checkout attempts and averaged 80.41, his lowest in the tournament since 2022, although was relieved to avoid joining Littler and Michael van Gerwen in being beaten in the first round.

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Highlights of the World Grand Prix match between Luke Littler and Luke Woodhouse, where the world No 1 made a shock exit

“That’s arguably one of the worst performances I’ve played on the World Grand Prix stage for myself,” Humphries said after the victory. “I didn’t feel comfortable throughout the whole game.

“Doubles weren’t going in at the start, the scoring was rubbish and I felt like Chizzy [Dave Chisnall] just wasn’t at his best there at all.”

“It wasn’t a good performance, but I’m through and when I play Jermaine [Wattimena] on Thursday I’m hoping you won’t see that!”

Humphries is now the favourite to lift the trophy following defending champion Luke Littler’s shock defeat to Luke Woodhouse, but admits he feels added pressure with the world No 1 no longer in the field as a title contender.

“I hate it when he loses because it always puts the pressure on myself and then everyone is like ‘this is yours to win’ and all this type of stuff,” Humphries added.

“I hate it when he loses because I want to play him in finals. I want to beat him in finals. I don’t want to lose to him in finals, but I like playing in finals because it gets me up for it.

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John Part reflects on Luke Littler’s early exit at the World Grand Prix and explains the possible reasons behind it

“When he loses, I’m not like jumping for joy. It puts all the pressure on myself and maybe sometimes it doesn’t help me.

“I’d rather him still be in the tournament and be the favourite and then I can just backdoor it to the final!”

Humphries’ 2023 win was his maiden PDC-ranked TV title and sparked a dominant run to end the season, but ‘Cool Hand’ has since suffered a string of runner-up finishes in major tournaments following his World Masters and Premier League triumphs last year.

Humphries blamed an allergic reaction for the mark on his face
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Humphries blamed an allergic reaction for the mark on his face

“I feel like I deserve a major – it’s been like six or seven I’ve lost in the final,” Humphries explained. “I played really good in the Premier League final and the World Masters final – I played 105 averages and lost, so they are tough to take.

“If you just play anybody else in the world they’re probably not going to beat you, but when you’re playing a phenom like Luke [Littler], he can beat you. I feel like I deserve one, but sometimes you don’t always get what you deserve in life.

“It’s up to me to win another four games and perform a lot better than that, because if I perform that again, I’ll be very lucky to make it to the quarters and semis.”

Humphries is looking to reach the World Grand Prix final for a fourth consecutive season
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Humphries is looking to reach the World Grand Prix final for a fourth consecutive season

Humphries explains face ‘injury’: ‘I don’t have that great story!’

The former world champion sparked confusion on social media after taking to the stage with a noticeable scab on his head, but felt no ill-effects from it as he progressed to the last 16.

“I really wanted to bring up some amazing story about how I fought five guys off and they come off worse than me, but unfortunately I don’t have that great story,” Humphries said.

Humphries blamed an allergic reaction for the mark on his face
Image:
Humphries blamed an allergic reaction for the mark on his face

“I did Bullseye filming on Tuesday, woke up Wednesday with a massive rash on the side of my head and it just got worse and worse and then it scabbed over.

“The only thing I can think of is when you do TV shows they put make up on and all these types of things, all these creams, and I got an allergic reaction to it.

“Unfortunately there is no great story to tell, that is what I think it is but I don’t know. I haven’t seen a doctor but it just looks like I’ve had an allergic reaction to stuff they’ve put on my head and face, but I’m fully well.”

Watch the World Grand Prix throughout the week live on Sky Sports, with coverage every day up to and including the final on Sunday. Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.

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Super League Grand Final: George Williams hoping to change course of Warrington Wolves’ history with victory in his final game | Rugby League News

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George Williams has set himself one task for when he steps out in the Super League Grand Final as Warrington Wolves skipper: Make sure he leaves the club with a trophy.

When Williams returned from the NRL in 2021, he made the bold decision to not go back to his hometown club of Wigan and instead headed to Warrington.

After five years there, he is poised to return to Australia and has one last opportunity to try and depart with a trophy.

It is set to be a pretty-evenly-matched Grand Final as third- and fourth-placed Warrington and Wakefield Trinity do battle. Two underdog teams who beat the first- and second-placed sides to make it to Old Trafford.

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Highlights from the Super League semi-final clash between Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves

It is not lost on Williams how big this match is as he could lead Warrington to their maiden Grand Final triumph to become just the sixth team in the history of the competition to lift the Super League trophy.

He has tasted that glory with Wigan as a youngster and now wants to leave the Wolves with another career highlight and change the direction of the club.

“It is crucial, there are so many different narratives that you want to get the win, but personally, I was pretty vocal, I came here to change history and win with Warrington,” Williams told Sky Sports.

“It is pretty fitting it is my last game and I’ve got the opportunity to do that. Personally, that would be brilliant, a great way to go out, but there’s a lot more different narratives we have got for the club and the town to do it.”

Warrington take on a Wakefield team who pulled off an almighty shock with their 33-6 victory over favourites Wigan in their own backyard.

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Wakefield Trinity booked their place in their first-ever Super League Grand Final as they produced a huge upset to defeat Wigan Warriors

Williams knows if Trinity turn up in that form again, Warrington will need to be on their A-game.

“We know Wakefield play a good brand of rugby, they have been posting points all year, we played them three or four weeks ago and they beat us, so we know what they’re capable of,” he added.

“I think everyone saw Wigan as favourites and we were surprised by that one.

“Both teams have been pretty consistent all year, third and fourth, I think that’s probably the word I want to use for us this year, consistent.

“Now we’ve just got to bring it one more time and are 80 minutes away from history which is the biggest key for us.”

How to watch the Super League Grand Final

The Super League Grand Final takes place at Old Trafford on Saturday October 3, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+.

The match will kick-off at 6pm, with coverage on Sky Sports from 5pm.

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