The programme will include the following elements

Training

Mentoring

Network

Work Experience

There is no cost to join the programme and all elements will be delivered virtually.

Training sessions will be led by Visa and key Visa partners
including, but not limited to, the following topics:

Training

- Social media

- Personal branding

- Partnerships

- CV writing

- Career planning

- Managing finances

Mentoring

All participants in the programme would be offered the opportunity to have a mentor from a senior stakeholder at Visa or one of our partners. Our aim would be to partner you with a mentor from an area of the business that aligns with your interests or long-term career goals.

Network

Visa is one of the world’s largest payment companies, which means we have a huge network of partners across industries such as technology, retail & media, through to rights-holders like UEFA. This means that you may also have the opportunity to build your connections in different sectors or industries.

Work Experience

Currently on hold due to COVID-19, but for those who are interested we aim to offer this in the future at some of our European offices, or with some of our partners.

“I am really excited to have helped develop this programme with Visa and to create something that I know current and retired players will really benefit from. Football is an amazing sport and I hope players understand that the skills they have gained as a professional are highly desirable and with the right support players could work in any field or industry they wanted.
For me personally it has been an amazing journey, learning so much about the business but also challenging myself to do things I would never have done if this opportunity hadn’t come about. I am so glad I stepped out my comfort zone and I hope we have created something very special which will help lots of people.”

Karen Carney MBE (former England international and Visa consultant)

“I feel very grateful to have been part of the team building The Second Half programme. It has already provided me with experiences and opportunities that I know will help me post-football. I have no doubt in my mind that The Second Half will empower other female footballers like myself and will provide them with the guidance to utilise and build on the skills they have gained throughout their playing career, across to another line of work.”

Kim Little, Team Visa Footballer (Arsenal Captain & Scotland Vice-Captain)

“The Second Half will help us with life after football. Our career is our way.”

Didem Karagenҫ, Team Visa Footballer (Besiktas & Turkey international)

“I've enjoyed my experience of being part of the Visa Second Half programme. The webinars have allowed me to explore various different topics and think about potential avenues for my future career. I have also been able to connect with people who have been/are on a similar journey to myself and I am now looking forward to progressing with the mentorship aspect of the programme moving forward.”

Jane Ross (2020/21 WSL player)

“I’m a retired football player of 3 years now, I already knew and prepared for my career after football before joining The Second Half programme. However, I’m still very new to my current career and feel that The Second Half has helped reassure me that I’m on the right track. I don’t often have anyone to bounce off, but by listening to the presenters’ experiences in their field and trying to transfer it into mine, has helped push me out of my comfort zone which has ultimately help me and my career.”

Emily Westwood (retired WSL player)

“The weekly workshops that are part of The Second Half programme have helped me to consider new pathways post career that I wouldn’t have thought about. I have taken some valuable ideas away from each of the workshops that will not only help me now, but also for life after football when that time comes. It has also been nice to connect with other footballers from various clubs that I wouldn’t normally have the chance to meet.”

Kerys Harrop (WSL player)

“As soon as I heard about the new programme Visa were providing, I wanted to be a part of it. I am grateful for the opportunities it has given me to know how I can take my football experience into the world of work and life beyond the pitch.”

Connie Scofield (WSL player)