Freddie Ljungberg and David Ornstein head line-up at ORT UK business breakfast
Former Arsenal and Sweden football star and football correspondent entertain guests at north London event for global education network raising £40k
Freddie Ljungberg, the former Arsenal and Sweden footballer, has revealed how he adapted the lessons he learned as a Premier League star to help develop younger players’ careers as a coach.
Speaking at the annual business breakfast organised by ORT UK, the global education network, Ljungberg said the experience of being on the pitch and in the dressing room had given him a foundation which he was now trying to share with others.
He explained: “When I became a manager I had to throw away my ego. I am proud to help other people, to use my experience to try to teach them things and make them better – that’s the nicest feeling because it’s not just yourself, you are helping others.”
The event, in Camden, north London, raised more than £40,000 towards ORT’s global schools and training programmes. The charity works in more than 40 countries, giving young people the skills they need to thrive through high-quality teaching and training. ORT UK runs the popular JUMP mentoring and employability programmes, which prepare secondary school students for the working world.
Ljungberg’s fellow panellists, Georgie Hodge, CAA Base’s Head of Women’s Football, and David Ornstein, The Athletic’s Football Correspondent, also described how they had worked their way to their current roles through hard work, collaboration and relationship building.
Hodge said the impact she has had as an agent for professional women footballers such as Lioness Fran Kirby had enabled her to become a role model to women and girls who previously could not see a future for themselves in sports industries.
Annette Kurer, ORT UK Chair, said: “Today’s guests demonstrated how, with determination, a passion can lead to a fulfilling career in one of the UK’s most influential industries. This is in perfect alignment with our ORT JUMP Mentoring Programme and new Employability Skills programmes, which help school students to identify their strengths and explore the array of career possibilities open to them.
“We’re absolutely delighted that the Breakfast has raised funds that will help us continue making an impact through education, by enabling young people both in the UK and across the globe to reach their potential.”
The event was moderated by sports and entertainment lawyer and author, Daniel Geey. A raffle and auction included signed football shirts from Ljungberg and current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
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