The importance of getting a good education is obvious. Many top soccer players hold off on starting their professional careers until they have some qualifications in the bag, so that when their career is over they have something to fall back on.

Look at former Irish International World Cup star Kevin Moran. He earned a degree in Commerce at UCD before commencing his hugely successful career with Man.Utd. The result? He now operates his own highly successful football agency and is doing very well out of it. Not all players are so lucky, and many who don't have an adequate education fall on hard times when their playing days are finished.

It is for this reason that FIFA are putting a big emphasis on the importance of education in the life of a footballer, and the FAI will be launching a similar programme of learning awareness in Ireland in the coming months. We at Sambasoccer.com recognise and welcome this new strategy, and are the first soccer web-site to include an educational department. We expect this department to grow and grow over time - but for the moment check out our top study tips, helping you to get the most out of your schooling, whatever level you're at.