Growing up in London with a passion, bordering on obsession, for sport (football in particular) Kevin Ciobanu always knew that he wanted to pursue a career in the industry he loves.

This led him to study BSc (Hons) Sport Management and Coaching at Bath.

He spoke to us about how the course and studying at Bath is helping him to turn that ambition into a reality, whilst broadening his expertise.

Growing up as a sports enthusiast

Being born and raised in London, in my opinion one of the sporting capitals of the world, shaped my passion for sport. I was always playing and watching sports with people from all over the world.

Around the age of 15, my sporting interests expanded off the field and into the inner workings of the industry: how events are organised, the role of fans, and the influence of media and sponsors. 

Carrying these interests into my studies, and especially my work experience placement at Stevenage FC when I was 17, made me certain that I wanted to work in the sporting industry. 

Choosing Bath - the university and the city

After exploring sport management courses across the UK and Europe, I quickly realised that Bath was a stand-out. The University’s academic and sporting reputations, the diversity of the programme’s content and the city all combined to make it a clear choice for me. 

The variety of units on the course and how different aspects of management and coaching combine have broadened my perspective of sport and how it connects with other industries. Being able to go on a professional placement is also a great opportunity; I cannot wait to step into the industry using my studies and experiences. 

Living in Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is cool, too. The city has iconic landmarks, such as the Roman Baths, The Royal Crescent and Bath Abbey; as well as countless independent stores, cafes, restaurants and pubs. It's a friendly and safe environment making it an amazing place to study and live. 

Gaining industry experience

With over 200 sports, societies and groups at Bath, there is something for everyone to enjoy and make new friends.

Alongside peer mentoring, I balance five other student leadership roles in societies, the football & futsal club, the student magazine and as the Events Coordinator on the Sport Exec, where I organise and deliver recreational and competitive events for students at the university and around the UK.

Beyond Bath, I spent last summer volunteering at a few of sport’s greatest events.

I supported the World Football Summit at their Football Innovation Forum and UEFA’s on-the-ground interaction at the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium. At these events, I connected with industry professionals from leading organisations and brands.

Two weeks later, it was time for Euro 2024 in Germany. After reaching out to the Romanian Football Federation, I was given the opportunity to promote and deliver their marketing and fan engagement activities in Munich and Frankfurt as part of the country’s historic campaign.

Interacting with Romanians, international fans and locals in the Romanian Corner at UEFA Fan Zones and through the ‘Tricolorii’ app was a rewarding experience that allowed me to test out my learnings from my degree and get a taste of the international opportunities in sport management. 

Besides volunteering, I also travelled around Germany to explore its history and culture. It was a privilege being in the heart of the amazing atmosphere and seeing both of my countries, England and Romania, win their groups within hours of each other.

Looking ahead

The combination of my studies, student leadership roles, and voluntary industry experiences has been instrumental in bridging the gap between university and the professional world. 

Applying academic concepts to real-world situations has given me confidence and clarity in shaping my career aspirations. Moving forward, I am particularly drawn to sports events, marketing and fan engagement with an international focus. 

I’m excited to see where this journey leads!