A former Sunderland Academy graduate has reached a degree of success in the Middle East.
Gareth Mordey used to captain Sunderland at youth level from under-13s right through to reserve team, however, was never fortunate enough to advance into senior squad during the Peter Reid era.
But since leaving the Black Cats, Mordey, who is now 34, has built a hugely successful career in sports management in Dubai.
Formerly a schoolboy at St Aidan’s, Mordey has continued to strive for excellence and has recently graduated from Manchester’s Business School after completing a specialist two-year course in Sporting Directorship.
And while the constraints of having to commute back and forth from Dubai to study, Mordy has hailed the value of qualification, believing it will hold him in good stead for future success.
“I spoke to my family and the ESM management team because I knew the coursework and the commuting would be very demanding – but everyone said ‘go for it’,” he said.
“The last two years have been an incredible learning experience but it is great the sport now has this professional qualification, like other professions.
“Not just in football but in other sports too, this role is only going to become more important.
“So often in football and other major sports you have very wealthy owners on the one hand and very accomplished managers on the other.
“An expert sports director can make all the difference in making what relationship work better while also developing a vision and strategy or the club or organisation,” he continued.
“The role of qualified sports directors is set to become an industry essential in the future.”
