News

In the 5th issue of the FMA Quarterly, we interviewed John Siner (FMA’02), is one of the best known alumni in our community – an active networker, he was famous for the receptions he organized in Lausanne, for many years, for the FIFA Master students, when they visited the IOC. Here, you can find the full interview.

The American John Siner (FMA’02), is one of the best known alumni in our community – an active networker, he was famous for the receptions he organized in Lausanne, for many years, for the FIFA Master students, when they visited the IOC. 

He is one of the founders of the Alumni Association – which is celebrating its 10th anniversary - and he has travelled the whole world contacting FMA members in the most diverse countries. 

John already had some experience in the sport industry before taking the master and for years was looking for the right course to enrich his experience in the field. “When I first discovered the FIFA Master, I knew it was the right one for me. It was a calculated risk for me to take the course as it didn’t have a long history or reputation yet”, he says.

Several doors were opened to John in the months following graduation. But he remembers that “it was thanks to another FIFA Master Alum – Nolvenn Lainé (FMA’02) - that I was able to begin working at the IOC, where I ended up staying for almost seven years, gaining good work experience and visiting many parts of the world. After this experience and growing my network, it was good timing for me to go out on my own”.

John flew in from Orlando, where he lives with wife and his 1-year old boy, London, especially for the FMA 10th Anniversary Gathering that took place in Neuchâtel on August 31st.

FMA Quarterly: What do you think was the highlight of the 10th Anniversary Celebration, in Neuchâtel?
John Siner: It was great to see the overall turnout with 60-plus alumni spread across all the past 13 years in attendance. It shows that there is interest from the graduates to share their time and experience with the others, and the realization that there is a strong value as a collective group.

FMAQ: How do you compare where the FMA is now with where you thought it would be when it was created, 10 years ago?
JS: We announced the birth of the alumni association at the graduation ceremony of the 3rd edition. At that point, we were still a pretty small group of graduates, but we knew that we were going to grow very quickly and the graduates were going to penetrate the market. So we just wanted to set up a structure so we could be an organized group and maintain a connection amongst everybody. Thanks to all of those who have been involved since, the energy and work has led the association to be one of the most connected alumni in the industry.

FMAQ: Where do you think the association will be in 10 years’ time?
JS: The progress that has been made in the past 10 years has been incredible. It’s been great to see how much the association has grown, how well it is managed, and the strength of the alumni network. I am hoping that we will see the same amount of progress over the next 10 years. At the 20-year mark, we will have a “generational” breadth of graduates where many will be in senior positions across the world and working together, and this will also help new graduates tremendously.

FMAQ: A few years ago, you went around the world with your project “Why Sport Matters” and you said that the FIFA Master Alumni were instrumental to allow you to achieve your objectives. Can you tell us a bit about that? 
JS: When I left the IOC and began working for myself, I spent the first year travelling all over the world to experience sport in different cultures. We went to almost 30 countries and hit all the continents over about 14 months. In each country, we were able to connect with at least one FIFA Master graduate, both professionally and socially. This proved to me that our network has a truly global reach and this connection is extremely valuable. We need to continue to leverage this value to create future opportunities for each other. 

FMAQ: If you could suggest 3 priorities for the FMA Committee, what would they be?
JS: Firstly: to continue to engage the whole alumni community to be involved and not lose contact or drift away. Then, to create more opportunities for the alumni to interact and form a more cohesive network; and, finally, to clearly communicate the activities of the committee and all planned initiatives.

FMAQ: What is the best thing about your current job?
JS: Working for yourself can be hugely rewarding. You can pick and choose what projects to work on, and it allows you to be more creative and entrepreneurial than working for an employer. On the other hand, there is no guarantee of income and there is no rest as your office is always open. 

FMAQ: What are the best memories you have from your edition? 
JS: I imagine my memories are similar to most other editions – the social camaraderie, the field trips, the cultural experience of each different location. What I didn’t expect was all of the great memories I would have with other alumni in the years after I finished. Many of my closest friends now are graduates from different editions of the FIFA Master

Short profile:
   John Richard Siner, American
   Married to Lisa and father of London (1 year old)
   Founder and Owner of Why Sport Matters
Football club: I grew up supporting the Washington Redskins (American Football), but always supported the German national soccer team. 
Most memorable sporting moment: My first World Cup Final was pretty special (France ’98).