A Year in Sports Law

By Emelia Berry, Legal Assistant.

I have come to the end of my year-long placement with Wollens and Exeter City Football Club, providing legal support across the sports law sector. This experience has been a rare privilege that has deepened my understanding of how sports intersect with law, business and community life.

Working in such a specialised and niche area has been an incredible opportunity and has shown me how meaningful and far-reaching sport is in society.

If I had to sum up sports law in a few words it would be: fast-paced, exciting and unpredictable. You never quite know what will come next or what advice will be needed. Thanks to Wollens and ECFC, I have gained insight into the many area’s sports law cover- and it’s utterly endless!

Throughout the year I was guided by Marco Floreale, who introduced me to a wide range of clubs and athletes across the Southwest, from football teams to e-sport athletes! I drafted agreements, liaised with clients, and prepared presentations for sponsorship deals and senior stakeholders on important matters. I also gained exposure to Company & Commercial law under the supervision of Daniel Gresswell and Hebe Shepherd, which I found fascinating, and I look forward to studying it further in my final year at university!

My time at Exeter City Football Club has been exhilarating and, at times, stressful and overwhelming. I have experienced the devasting fire at St James Park stadium, attended our FA Cup fixture at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City (where we lost a tragic 10-1, but watching Haaland play made up for it!), the loss of our beloved manager Gary Caldwell to Wigan Athletic FC, and the club’s unfortunate relegation to League 2. I have had the unique opportunity to work with the first team, academy, women’s team, HR department and commercial department on matters ranging from players contracts to sponsorship agreements, to landlord disputes, injury waivers and academy registrations.  

Emelia Berry

I came into this placement as a football fan, but I leave which a much deeper appreciation and admiration of football and sport as a business and as a social institution which shapes our everyday lives. I saw firsthand the happiness and joy it brings our community and learnt how meaningful it is within history itself- did you know that ECFC was the first club to bring football to Brazil, who are now the most successful national team in the FIFA World Cup!

This experience has confirmed my desire to continue in sports law, as every day is different and the opportunities to learn are infinite. Being able to support and make a difference to a community owned club that matters so much to so many people has been exceptionally rewarding.

I have developed a deep attachment to both Wollens and ECFC, and throughout the year I have been surrounded by the loveliest individuals who have supported me throughout every step of the way. The connections and friendships I made during this year have been invaluable.

I have learnt a great deal about sports law, as well as the workings of a law firm and the importance of growing your professional community. I feel like a changed woman compared to who I was when I joined a year ago. I have developed confidence, maturity, independence, determination and resilience, as well as significant legal knowledge and commercial awareness. I’m taking away skills that will equip me for my professional future and beyond.

I wanted to write this article, to conclude my placement year and express how deeply grateful I am to everyone at Wollens and Exeter City Football Club for their mentorship and for giving me this fulfilling opportunity.