Sports Management students thrilled to return to Real Madrid

“It was an amazing time in Spain,” said Alejandro Ramirez, one of the recently returned students, “We’ve had the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business -- Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, LaLiga, just a fantastic experience.” 

Darren Adamson is the Senior Learning Facilitator in Sports Management at Torrens University who manages and oversees the annual trip to Madrid. He expressed his joy in being able to finally resume this important program, announcing;  “A feeling of relief and gratitude to be back in Madrid with 35 MBA Sports Management students from Torrens University Australia. It has been a challenging few years, and our students have done everything possible to adhere to government protocols, travel to Madrid and advance their MBA programs. We have been welcomed by everyone and provided with amazing content from executives at FIFA, LaLiga and Real Madrid FC, and the professors from Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea.” 

The partnership and Real Madrid residency program history 

Since 2016, the Real Madrid Graduate School and Torrens University Australia have partnered up to co-deliver a hybrid Master of Business Administration (Sports Management) for domestic students, and a Master of Business Administration, Sports Management (Advanced) for international students. 

Not only do students of the Sports Management MBA programs get to study several subjects that have been developed by the Real Madrid Graduate School; they also get to spend an exciting two weeks in Madrid, learning directly from industry experts about the business of running one of the world’s most successful sports clubs. 

Since its beginning, the two-week residency program has been a favourite of students who have found it incredibly helpful in developing an understanding of the business, learning from industry experts, gaining a global perspective and expanding their network of contacts. 

“One word to describe the trip: exceptional, on all fronts,” said Matt Duldig, one of the 35 students in this cohort, “The learnings, the master classes, and then just looking around at an unbelievable city and getting to visit two really unique stadiums.”

Bridget Brosnan, another of the student cohort, said, “This trip has been incredible. It’s been awesome to be around a group of people that are like-minded and who have the same aspirations and ambitions in the sports industry. What’s next for me is to propel myself into the sports industry. I'm eager to learn more about the industry and immerse myself there.” 

On top of the education program, the residency is also a great way to travel, make new friends and have a fantastic time in Spain while learning about sports management and culture.

Heath Pocock, one student who has worked for SANFL and Football South Australia, explains, “I really enjoyed my time in Madrid, got to meet a lot of new people in the group and form some friendships that will be very valuable moving forward.”

Of course, it’s not all fun and games. 

The two week residency program is an intensive course equivalent to one subject, including masterclasses, stadium visits and guest talks.

During the first week, students complete guided learning visits to sports facilities around Madrid from ten in the morning until two in the afternoon. From four in the afternoon to eight in the evening, students complete masterclasses taught by top sporting executives. 

“To have access to the Real Madrid Training Centre when both their basketball and football teams were preparing for European finals was certainly appreciated,” explained Darren Adamson, the Senior Learning Facilitator overseeing the trip. “To enter the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, currently a construction zone, with 52,000 football fans was a living example of what this great city can achieve. 

While our hearts are with Real Madrid FC we also admire what is happening at Atletico Madrid FC, the National Centre of Golf, Inter Movistar (Futsal) and Spartan Race. Thank you to everyone at Torrens University Australia and our partners Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea for supporting this program.”

The second week allows students a little more free time, with classes from industry professionals on topics, such as “Real Madrid retail business” and “running a major sporting event” running from ten in the morning until two in the afternoon. 

“It’s been unbelievable,” explained Fatima Flores, an MBA (Sports Management) student, “A dream come true to learn from some of the best in the industry and to connect and network with new people back home.”

They are the first cohort to return to Madrid, and these students are luckily not going to be the last either.  

Follow these links for information about how you can go and visit Real Madrid as part of the Master of Business Administration (Sports Management), and Master of Business Administration Sports Management (Advanced), or see here if you’d like to find out more about the unique partnership between Real Madrid Graduate School and Torrens University Australia.