Former England and Arsenal player Tony Woodcock visited Dubai last week to put students from Dubai Secondary School and the American University in Dubai through their paces on the football pitch, using some of the skilful experiential learning techniques employed in Woodcock’s 4-day entrepreneurship course for young people – Tsu’Chu Biz®. Tsu’Chu was the first form of football in Ancient China.

“it’s been a great afternoon, not only have we worked on the students’ football skills but also touched on how ‘the game’ at international level can be used as a metaphor for personal development and important life skills such as teamship, leadership and stress management”

The students were more than eager to learn from a man who has enjoyed such a successful football career with some of Europe’s top football clubs including Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and 1.FC Cologne. During that time Woodcock gained 42 England Caps with 16 goals to his credit. He won two European Cup winning medals (Champions League), English Champions, two league cup winning trophies, Young Footballer of the Year and Young European Footballer of the year in addition to many other accolades.

In 1990 Woodcock ‘hung up his boots’ professionally and became a highly respected businessman in many fields including sport.

Three years ago Woodcock and his business partner Susan Kaye decided that it was time ‘to give back to the younger generation’. A 4-day course was developed for teenagers (14-19 yrs) and undergraduate students in Entrepreneurship, Business Finance, Teamship, Leadership, Stress Management and Personal Development, using football as the teacher.

The course has been a great success in the UK. Later this month, the start of Global Entrepreneurship week, sees ‘The Five Host Boroughs Tsu’Chu Biz® Cup Final taking place at City Hall, London. The event has been awarded London 2012’s INSPIRE MARK for exceptional educational programs.

“We receive countless testimonials from students telling us of the impact the course has had on them, and how using football in this way has given them life and business skills and helped them re-think their future.”said Woodcock

“It makes us feel extremely humble to have been able to inspire these young people and play a part in helping them onto further education and to becoming the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”

Woodcock was in the UAE participating in the ‘Festival of Thinkers’, 1-4 November in Abu Dhabi.

For further information please contact: Gloria Giles, 050 738 0818