The UAX Rafa Nadal University College has launched its master’s degree programmes, including the Master’s in Sports Medicine, the Master’s in Sports Performance and Injury Prevention, the Master’s in Sports Physiotherapy, the MBA in Sports Management and the Master’s in Sports Communication and Journalism.
The event was attended by leading figures from the world of Spanish sport, including Rudy Fernández, David Villa, Martita Ortega and Esteban Granero, who shared their experiences on leadership, teamwork, entrepreneurship and the impact of technology on sport. The event was moderated by Antonio Arenas, Head of Communications at the Rafa Nadal Academy, and Juanma Trueba, a leading national journalist; both are co-directors of the Master’s in Sports Communication and Journalism at the UAX Rafa Nadal University School.
Rudy Fernández used his speech to analyse the current situation of the national basketball team: “Basketball continues to grow and the latest generations are going to give us some incredible years. They have the Spanish national team’s DNA, which is driven by a desire to win titles.” He also emphasised the need to let the game flow and to “let things play out to try and get results and believe in the project. Impatience is the problem, ” he stated.
In the section dedicated to team play, where the former national basketball team player highlighted the value of leading by example, Rudy stated: “We assess what sort of player I can be to make my team better. That’s what has helped me improve.” For her part, Martita Ortega, ranked in the TOP 10 of the Premier Padel rankings, pointed out that “when playing as a pair, the first thing is to focus on playing well so that the person next to you can do the same. Being selfish affects your game and that of your professional partner ”.
As for the importance of the professionals who support the athlete in achieving the best results, Rudy acknowledged that “they are essential for the athlete as they provide us with many tools. I’ve been lucky enough to work with physiotherapists and doctors to overcome the physical barriers you might face, and I’ve been able to retire on my own terms.”
During his speech, David Villa highlighted the role of the manager in the learning and development of footballers. “He shapes you, and over time you realise: thanks to the manager, I’m a better player. Many followed Pep Guardiola’s example after the tactical changes he introduced and the things he did off the pitch as a manager. Football has evolved and gone much further; because not everything has been invented in this sport.”
Martita Ortega, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and is currently studying for a Master’s in Sports Medicine at the UAX Rafa Nadal University School, emphasised the importance of training and highlighted the role of the doctor in sport. “As athletes, we’re the worst patients; we’re disobedient, we’re in a hurry, and we never miss a training session because it’s our job. From my point of view, the doctor has to understand sport and has to try to empathise.”
Both Villa and Granero, both former footballers and entrepreneurs currently involved in the world of sport, took centre stage by exploring the role of the athlete as an entrepreneur. Villa focused on his own experience of the transition from footballer to entrepreneur: “I’ve been lucky enough to have a successful career in every sense, and ultimately it comes as a shock when you retire. Overnight, you go from being ‘too old’ for football to being a young person in life. This gives you the chance to start a business, to do something after football.” He concluded: “I recommend embracing the uncertainty of not settling for the success you’ve already achieved; you have to want to do more.”
For his part, Esteban Granero focused on the process of starting a business: “When I started out in AI, I hadn’t a clue. But I realised that, often, you don’t need to have all the skills yourself, but rather know how to surround yourself with the right people, delegate, work as a team and know how to run a business to maximise your opportunities. Teamwork is a skill you develop through football; you learn to give others their role and to place your trust in them.”
During the discussion, there was also time to explore how they integrate statistics and technology into their sporting practice. Ortega noted: “I like the statistical side of things as a student, but not as an athlete. The percentages on the pitch create pressure. We need to strike a balance between statistics and gut instinct.” In another contribution, Esteban Granero, drawing on his experience as an entrepreneur and CEO of Olocip, highlighted how statistics have transformed sport: “Statistics aren’t bidirectional; they’re multidirectional. They allow us to understand how things work and to anticipate, with a margin of error, what is going to happen – from signing players to significantly improving performance. There are things that cannot be measured, but technology can help you.”
This event is an example of the activities that enrich the educational experience at UAX, connecting its students with the industry to boost their employability and foster a holistic view of sport and its career opportunities.
