The University’s Centre for Educational Development and Support (CEDS) have further enhanced their international collaboration with the Council of Europe’s Pros4+ team, announcing the launch of an innovative online training package designed to strengthen the safety and service pillars of the Saint-Denis Convention at football matches and other major sporting events. This new suite of resources underscores the University’s leadership in creating high-quality learning solutions that bridge academic research and industry needs.
As part of the Balance S4 project – jointly funded by the European Union and Council of Europe and implemented by the Sport Division of the Council of Europe – the secretariat reached out to the CEDS team to consider options to host and make course content available to future trainers. Developed by a team of experts in pedagogy and learning design, the course provides practical, interactive modules focused on customer experience, operational excellence, and best practices for event environments – key components of the convention that trainers cover as part of their national delivery programme. By combining cutting-edge educational methodologies with real-world insights, the training equips public officials and practitioners, as well as legal and security professionals, with the skills to deliver exceptional service under the unique pressures of live sporting events.
Anita Holt, lead content developer for the project at the University said: “This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting the sports sector with evidence-based learning products that make a tangible impact.”
This follows on from established work around the creation of online resources for practitioners in the field, including the development of an online course outlining the key pillars and recommendations of the Saint-Denis Convention. The team has also supported translating the course into several languages including Portuguese, which is spoken in one of the countries hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The training package was officially launched at an event in Strasbourg in December 2025, as part the Council of Europe’s annual meeting. The event, hosted at Stade de la Meinau, included presentations from the authors and key partners, as well as Polish and Portuguese delegations who piloted the programme nationally as part of the project. The University was represented by Dr Michael Humann, who showcased the main elements of the online training toolkit and outlined the key benefits of the resources:
“The content is designed with practitioners in mind, allowing for dynamic updates and expansion in the future, ensuring that trainers always have access to the latest insights from an international pool of experts.”
With an eye towards the future, the CEDS team has also ensured that the course can be easily translated and tailored to specific national contexts. The programme is fully online and open to all Member States and partners, giving sports organisations and event professionals a powerful, streamlined way to strengthen skills across their teams.
Further information
Find out more about the CEDS team and their work