FPA Finland and Johan Cruyff Institute Launch New Partnership

The Football Players’ Association of Finland (FPA Finland) and Johan Cruyff Institute have entered into a new partnership designed to provide players in Finland with greater opportunities for education, professional development, and career planning beyond their playing careers. 

The collaboration gives FPA Finland´s members access to exclusive educational benefits, scholarship opportunities, networking, and practical learning experiences through one of the world's leading institutions specializing in sport management and sports business education. 

Supporting Players Beyond their Playing Careers 

As the demands on professional footballers continue to grow, preparing for life after football has become increasingly important. Through this partnership, players can pursue academic studies and develop new skills while continuing their playing careers. 

Panu Autio, Executive Director of the FPA Finland, sees the collaboration as a natural extension of FPA Finland's commitment to supporting players throughout their professional journey. 

- At the Football Players' Association of Finland, we are committed to supporting our members both in and outside of the pitch. Our partnership with Johan Cruyff Institute creates valuable opportunities for players to develop new skills, expand their professional horizons, and prepare for life beyond the game. We are proud to collaborate with an institution that shares our commitment to the personal development of the players and is internationally recognised for the high quality of its education and expertise in the sports industry, Autio says.  

While continuing his playing career with Veikkausliiga side IF Gnistan, Evgenii Bashkirov is also investing in his future through studies at Johan Cruyff Institute, combining elite football with professional development. Bashkirov has really enjoyed studying at Johan Cruyff Institute.

- New people, different points of view, lots of active discussion and very inspired professors. Live sessions are motivating and boundary-expanding. Study materials provided by Johan Cruyff Institute are closely aligned with the specific topics we discuss, and the entire academic process is organized very professionally and with a positive environment. Also, the Institute organizes a study trip once a year, which includes three days fulfilled by offline meetings, lectures, and conferences in various sporting venues, Bashkirov says.  

Exclusive Educational Benefits for Players

Through the partnership, members of the FPA Finland can access exclusive discounts across a wide range of Johan Cruyff Institute programs. 

The available benefits include discounts: 

• on specialized Diplomas and specialized courses 

• on most online and blended Masters programmes and Postgraduate Diplomas 

• on selected football-focused online programmes covered by the agreement 

Johan Cruyff Institute offers an extensive portfolio of programmes covering areas such as sport management, coaching, football business, sponsorship, leadership, and sports marketing, allowing athletes to build expertise in fields that complement their sporting experience. 

Scholarship Opportunities 

The partnership also creates pathways to scholarship funding through the Cruyff Athlete Fund, which awards both full and partial scholarships each academic year to help athletes pursue further education. In addition, Johan Cruyff Institute offers dedicated scholarship opportunities aimed at supporting women working within the football industry. Through its annual scholarship programme, talented women can apply for partial scholarships to further develop their knowledge and careers in sport. 

These initiatives align closely with FPA Finland's broader mission of supporting player welfare, career development, and equal opportunities within football. Beyond education, the partnership also includes access to the Johan Cruyff Institute's Talent Programme, which connects organizations with students and young professionals seeking practical experience through internships. 

Learn More 

Interested players can explore the Johan Cruyff Institute's academic programmes through the Johan Cruyff Institute Academic Portfolio and learn more about scholarship opportunities through the Cruyff Athlete Fund. 

The Johan Cruyff Institute also offers a range of free educational content through its webinar platform, providing athletes and sports professionals with ongoing opportunities to learn from experts across the global sports industry. 

Are you interested? Just contact us about programmes and discount codes! 

Panu Autio  
Executive Director  
FPA Finland  
+358407022710  
panu.autio@jpy.fi