At the heart of Hockey Wales, Project Manager and LLM International Sports Law in Practice graduate Alice Gregory is making significant strides in various initiatives that are shaping the future of the sport. In her role as Project Manager, Alice oversees a range of projects, including the National Heritage Project, Young Ambassadors, and Walking Hockey. She is also the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) lead for the organisation, sits on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working group, supports the translation of documents for external communications, and oversees policy reviewing and development.
"I work in a relatively small team, and everyone is so passionate about the sport and its success, which is impossible not to enjoy in a workplace", says Alice. "Because of the size of our workforce, no one can do just one thing, so everyone covers a range of areas, which I enjoy. This allows me to keep all the skills I’ve been taught alive".
Reflecting on the academic journey that led to this role, Alice emphasises the unique value of the course she completed. "Any course can give you the basic information required to work in sport. But this degree provided me with ample opportunities to apply the knowledge and theories taught in fake or real-life scenarios, which has certainly helped me multiple times since finishing the course. Specifically, the anti-doping VIVA and preparation for this specific assessment prepared me for my first time sitting on a disciplinary panel, not only giving me the knowledge required to complete the hearing but the confidence as well".
The course's hands-on approach, combined with real-world applications, proved to be a game-changer. During the course, Alice worked part-time at Hockey Wales, frequently applying concepts and theories learned in the classroom to the job. Now, as a full-time employee, Alice has fostered confidence in reviewing policies and supporting strategic changes.
One of the most memorable experiences was supporting Dr Gregory Ioannidis on a football dispute case in front of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. "I was extremely fortunate to support Dr Gregory Ioannidis alongside two other students on a football dispute case in front of CAS in Switzerland halfway through my course. The anti-doping VIVA allowed us to apply the process, but being involved in this case and seeing firsthand every step and the work required enlightened me and prepared me for future cases like these".
The course's structure and support were key to its success. "The fact the course was online was the selling point for me, as it allowed me to continue my education while not having to sacrifice my job", Alice explains. "The content was extremely relevant and interesting, and the opportunities available to travel abroad and gain work experience are outstanding!".
For current students or those considering the course, Alice offers sage advice: "Take every opportunity when it comes. I did not have a legal undergraduate degree, so it was a very new style of writing for me, and Dr Gregory Ioannidis offered opportunities to submit small tasks and written pieces which he provided feedback on. This feedback helped me massively, and by the time I started my first assignment, I wasn’t fazed by the new style of writing and referencing”.
Ultimately, Alice is a staunch advocate of the course. "I would recommend this course to anyone with an interest in working in sport. Even if you don’t want to be a sports lawyer or agent, the course provides so much useful information required in all aspects of sport”.
With a blend of passion, expertise, and continuous learning, Alice is leading the way at Hockey Wales, ensuring the sport's vibrant future while applying the valuable lessons from an impactful educational journey.
