Blackpool Football Club Season Review by Callum Barlow

Callum Barlow, a second year Sports Coaching student shares his experience working with Blackpool Football Club for the 2016/17 season. Callum is one of many students who has used UCLan's industry links to gain valuable experience working in professional sport.

 Early July 2016 my journey with Blackpool first team started. I met up with Head of Performance Analysis Adam Whiteside at Bloomfield Road, we had a meeting in one of the boxes overlooking the pitch and discussed the infrastructure of the up and coming season. One of the key things he discussed with me was to get bright enthusiastic and committed analysis student[s] to assist with the aim of getting the team promoted.

I was assigned to the role of an Opposition Analyst, this is where my primary focus was to scrutinise Blackpool’s opponents and to gain evidence on

- Minutes of goals scored and conceded

- Key players

- Strengths playing home and away

Throughout the season I was to attend every home game and this was to video and code the match as a whole as well as taking into account individual player characteristics, and also key performance indicators which the manager highlighted as the reasoning behind success.

As well as attending home games, there was also the opportunity to assist in a couple of away games as the season prolonged. I feel as though this was a taster for the future. With attending away games it made me feel apart of the team due to being involved in every aspect. From being included in team meetings at the hotel where I was able to take onboard the managers thoughts and add it to my knowledge. I was also able to go and set up changing rooms, and with this stick up pictures with positive phrases that I had created for motivation. This technique was adopted by the team for the rest of the season. When it came to the game itself away from home, a lot of the gantries were in the home teams allocated area, so if Blackpool scored we as analysts had to remain professional.

Other duties which I undertook included:

- Filming goal keeping and the main training sessions

-  Piecing together the match day schedule

-  Composing motivational videos

- Completing post match reports

- Analysing opponent’s penalty takers – to discuss with the goal keeper.

All the hard work from the staff and the players paid off, as Blackpool booked a place in the Play Off Final after beating fourth place Luton Town Football Club. With this it meant a lot of preparation had to take place in order to maxamise the plan to beat Exeter. On the day of the final it was a very early start as I had to be setting off from Bolton at 5:00am. I was assisted on the coach by Owen who had also supported Blackpool since the start of the season, who is also a UCLAN student. During the journey we gathered data on Exeter and discussed how we thought they were going to play. We did this by looking at InStat Analysis and Wyscout Analysis before sending the evidence over to Adam. Once we arrived at Wembley we took in our surroundings before going in to analyse the game. Blackpool were not on the front foot at the start of the game, but still managed to go in at 1-1. I was in contact with Adam, passing on information that I though was reliable in order to go and win the game. In the end the game finished Blackpool 2 Exeter 1.

In my first season within professional football I have helped Blackpool get promoted from League 2 to League 1. I feel as though this shows that students who help out within teams really can bring a lot to the everyday running of the club. Hopefully from this Blackpool go on to create a hierarchy where more students can get involved in order for them to keep building.

New Links with Chorley RUFC proves valuable to the club

Christopher Neil Gunn Lecturer in the School of Sport and Wellbeing has recently set up links with Chorley RUFC for UCLan students to complete projects with them.

Chorley RUFC are an ambitious club moving to new facilities in the near future and our students have recently carried out recommendations for the club regarding school links, club strategy and policies and social media opportunities. The club was grateful for their research, input and recommendations from the students.

David Martin a member of the committee who is knowledgeable about business and management aspects and holds a significant role at Specsavers gave feedback to the results and how the club is finding their partnership with the University to be beneficial.

"The results from these recommendations and proposals from the students was extremely insightful and useful. As a result we have shifted our recruitment strategy, implemented a new mission statement, club value proposition and are bringing in a non-executive committee role as "community ambassador". These mission and values will be incorporated into our recruitment marketing. Our eye's have been opened to the opportunity of social media in terms of player recruitment and community engagement and we have appointed a social media manager to oversee all online presence, website management and social content."

"Overall, our collaboration with UCLan has been hugely valuable. The student's project has provided the raw research and data to give us a real insight into the opportunities we can exploit as an organisation. Furthermore, the practical nature of the recommendations enable us to make tangible differences in the way we work and ultimately, will support our future growth and development as a club. It is testament to the student's hard work that their recommendations have not only been taken on board but have also been turned into job appointments and key strategies. We wholeheartedly recommend any amateur sports club to work with UCLan and look forward to our continued relationship to help build our club's future."

A big well done to the student's involved Matt Davies, Catherine Savva, Andy Harrision and Chris Lane who all gained some excellent experience and enjoyed the challenge

UPEC Link Continues to Grow

The international connection with the University of Paris-Est Creteil (UPEC) continues to provide valuable learning opportunities for UCLan students.

Last October, we were visited by staff and students from UPEC. During their visit, our lecturers here at UCLan delivered sessions relating to PE and coaching for both our current students as well as our friends from Paris. This was a great opportunity for students to meet one another and share ideas, discussing the cultural and pedagogical differences between coaching and PE in France and the UK.

Additionally, in April 2016, some of our students were given the opportunity to visit UPEC. Students and staff spent 6 days in Paris where they visited the French Institute of Sport, observed training in a professional football club setting, participated in various practical sessions as well as exploring some of Paris’ landmarks. Our students were delighted as none of them had previously visited Paris!

Itinerary

Day One: Staff and students were given a warm welcome by staff and students at UPEC who outlined the plans for the trip. They showcased their facilities and explained their programmes of study. There was also the opportunity to observe and participate in some undergraduate and postgraduate classes.

Day Two: Use of UPEC’s performance analysis lab, giving our students the opportunity to use new technology and explore how performance analysis is used in French sport. In the afternoon, UCLan staff delivered sessions on fundamental movement skills.

Day Three: Observation of professional football club training.

Day Four: Visit to the French Institute of Sport to observe the French Olympic Team preparing for the Rio Olympics hosted by the Head of Sports Science.

Day Five: Staff and students from both institutions spent the day on a cultural visit to Paris city centre. This involved visits to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Day Six: Unfortunately, it was time to fly home…

Sports Studies student Mia Frew, who recently started her Masters in Sports Coaching gave her thoughts on the experience:

“I thoroughly enjoyed the recent trip to Paris. The opportunity to look at a number of schools in Paris was extremely interesting as it gave an alternative approach to PE teaching in comparison to the UK. The trip also gave us the chance to visit the French Institute of Sport, this was a definite highlight of the trip as I was able to see a number of top class facilities in a wide variety of sports ranging from gymnastics to diving." 

"Whilst at the French Institute we also had the chance to look at the performance analysis and sports science labs. The opportunity to work with another University in Paris allowed me to widen my knowledge and experience of PE studies and sports coaching and allowed me to gain confidence when starting my Sports Coaching Masters this September.”

Mia Frew (front left) with staff Craig Wright, Andy Sprake and Andy Procter

UCLan wins funding from HEFECE Catalyst Fund for new project

Academics from UCLan and St Mary's University have successfully won £22,000 from the Higher Education Funding Council of England’s (HEFCE) Catalyst Fund.

They plan to launch a 18-month project, designed by John Stoszkowski (Sports Coaching) from UCLan, Liam McCarthy and Joana Fonseca (Physical and Sport Education) from St Mary’s University. It will see students across both institutions engage in peer teaching, critical conversation and collaborative reflection connected to their existing modules during the next academic year.

This process will use the latest technology and software for recording, analyzing and feeding back on applied coaching practice. Creating a supervised environment where students will be challenged to comment, critique and share ideas about theirs and their peers’ applied professional practice.

Dr John Stoszkowski commented, "We're delighted to have secured HEFCE funding to deliver what should be quite a unique project in the sector. The initiative is perfectly aligned with the values and ambition of both educational institutions and provides a fantastic opportunity for staff and students to work collaboratively to enhance their learning experience. The students involved will get the opportunity to explore and reshape their understanding from different contexts of coaching practice, while developing highly values professional skills such as self and peer- reflection, critical analysis and effective communication with mentors and peers. We also hope any research findings emanating from the project will go some way to informing and enhancing the development of formal coach education programmes more generally too."

They also hope the project will contribute evidence-based pedagogical strategies to coach education in both the higher education sector and formal national governing body qualifications, leading to the development of more auto-critical coaches capable of better adapting to the complexity of effective coaching practice.

For more enquires please contact JRStoszkowski@uclan.ac.uk

UCLan BA (Hons) Sports Coaching & Development student making a difference as a Community Trust Coach at FTFC

Matt Chadwich is a 2nd year BA (Hons) Sports Coaching and Development student who has been working part time as a Community Trust coach alongside his studies. He began his coaching journey by volunteering at a summer camp in 2016, after 200 hours of volunteering work he got a offered a job as a part time Community Trust Coach at Fleetwood Town FC.

Matt says "There's two sides to Community Trusts, there's the school side and the community side. I go into primary schools and take P.E. lessons, I do lunch time activities and after school clubs. I have recently started going into high schools as well."


"The community side of things is about making a difference to people's lives within the Fleetwood area. I take football development sessions at the training ground for kids. I go into areas at night time  and set up football matches to help get kids off the street, I also go into care homes to spend time with the elderly."

Sports Coaching and Development Expo

Last week we welcomed our new 1st years and 3rd year top-ups as well as welcoming back our returning 2nd and 3rd years for the 2016/17 academic year. Tuesday saw the launch of the Sports Coaching and Development Expo where students were able to learn about their course, register their module choices, meet the teaching team and start to settle into life as a UCLan student. They also played some table tennis, badminton and basketball as they met fellow students, building new friendships as they embark on an exciting new chapter here at UCLan. The day was a great success - here's to an exciting year ahead!

MA Sports Coaching

Are you thinking of studying a Masters in Sports Coaching at UCLan? There are still places available for students looking to start this September.

For more information, check out this video featuring one of our former students Chris Brammall. Chris currently works for the Football Association (FA) as Regional PE and Coaching in Education Co-ordinator. 

For all enquiries, please contact Craig Wright at CMWright1@uclan.ac.uk

Or for more information: http://www.uclan.ac.uk/courses/ma_pgdip_sports_coaching.php

Coaching Opportunities with Tarleton Rugby Club

Tarleton Rugby Club are looking to recruit volunteer Coaches and Team Managers. This would be an ideal opportunity for those of you looking to complete some coaching hours for your modules this year or for those of you who just want to gain some more coaching experience.


See below for more details on how to get involved or alternatively follow the Facebook link: www.facebook.com/tarletonrugby/?fref=nf

Lancashire Science Festival - Introduction to Sports Analysis Workshop

On Saturday 2nd July, the people of Lancashire were given the opportunity to analyse sports performance in the Division's state of the art performance analysis suite located in Greenbank building. The session was run as part of the Lancashire Science Festival which ran for three days and attracted over 13,000 visitors. Led by the Division's Module Demonstrator and former Blackburn Rovers Performance Analyst Craig Lawlor, participants analysed a range of different sports including football, rugby and basketball. Craig was assisted by 3rd year Sports Coaching students Fintan O'Leary, currently a coach with Preston North End's Academy and Iain Hunter who has worked as Head Analyst at AFC Fylde for the past two and a half years.

By the end of the session participants were able to analyse video, collect statistics and present their findings to the rest of the group, giving them a taste of what it is like to be an analyst working in an elite environment. Three 45 minute sessions were run throughout the day, each session was very well attended and enjoyed by all. Here is some of the feedback from the budding analysts:

"Amazing and fantastic!!"

"Good session delivered by friendly coaches"

"It was a good experience and it was very interesting!"

The analysis suite has 10 iMacs which run the latest versions of Sportscode Elite, Gamebreaker and Studiocode, software which is used by elite sports teams all over the world. The suite is used on a regular basis in the delivery of content on the performance analysis modules which are available to students on the Sports Coaching and Sports Science programmes at the university. The suite is also available to students within the Division for use throughout the academic year. The festival was a great success and we look forward to welcoming even more visitors to next year's event!

Leona Trimble's Fundraising Event - The Activity-a-Thon

On the 12th of February 2016 Leona Trimble took part in a twelve hour activity-a-thon at the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre which was inspired by the untimely passing of her family member who was only 22. Leona's second cousin passed away due to cancer thus inspiring her to take part in the activity-a-thon for the charity Teenage Cancer Trust. Leona was able to take the day as a Time to Shine day due to her fundraising efforts.

The activity-a-thon fitted around the classes at the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre and consisted of:

8am morning blast
12.30 tai chi
4pm boxercise
7pm Zumba

The activity-a-thon was alsosupported by the sports clubs and societies who held sessions in the sports halls/studios such as netball, 5-a-side, handball, ultimate Frisbee, women’s basketball, badminton and table tennis. There was also a spinning bike challenge to keep two spinning bikes going continuously throughout the 12 hours. All activities were of course supported by staff who helped in person by doing some of the activities with Leona and gave generous donations. The Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre offered free staff passes to staff who wanted to support but are not members of the sports centre.

The event was organised in 7 days by the sport foundation year students taking the TLC115 (planning and evaluating a sports event) module.  Fundraising was supported by Teenage Cancer Trust regional fundraising team and we were delighted to welcome Michelle White the regional fundraising officer into the university to celebrate us raising an excellent £1130 for Teenage Cancer Trust.

International career opportunity

Debrecen FC is offering the chance to gain valuable international experience at their Elite Football Academy in Hungary.

The successful candidate (s) will have the opportunity to improve their coaching under the supervision of UEFA 'A' qualified mentor coaches, participating fully in official club training, goalkeeping training, individual training and physical training.

There will also be scouting opportunities under the supervision of the PSV Eindhoven official scout. Although this is an unpaid role students can apply for the Erasmus grant from UCLan.

For further information about the traineeship please click here. To express your interest please email international co-ordinator Sandor Nagy stating 'referred by Rachel Gee' within the email.

Volunteer opportunities

R9 FC Soccer School is offering volunteering opportunities for students to work as Level 1 or 2 football coaches.

Essential requirements are FA Level 1 minimum, at least one year coaching experience, enhanced DBS within the year and available on Saturday and/or Sunday mornings.

Volunteers will become a valued member of the R9 FC family, as they strongly believe in professional coach development.

You will have the opportunity to work with a group of talented football players willing to learn and develop, with the possibility to take on a paid position in the future.

If anyone is interested please email your CV.

Graduate uses sport to change lives

UCLan Sports Coaching graduate Richard Steele is helping people improve their lives through his work in an educational role at a professional football club.

Richard is employed by Leyton Orient Trust as a Tutor for BTEC Sport Level 2 & 3, and also coaches football to students from the BTEC programme along with community coaching in the London area.

Students taught by Richard are provided with a pathway through the coaching programme to join Leyton Orient Academy. One recent example of this is winger Sandro Semedo, who was recommended to the Academy and has now signed a two-year professional contract with the club.

The Trust aims to positively impact on the lives of disadvantaged Londoners through sports, educational and leisure projects.

Since its creation in 1989, over £30 million has been invested in local communities and touched the lives of over 100,000 young people during that time.

For more information about the Trust please click here.

Students continue to make a difference in Africa

UCLan Sport students joined colleagues from across the campus to visit Zambia to support the delivery of key health messages to young people about the dangers of drug abuse and HIV through the power of sport.

More than 40 undergraduates from a range of sports, media, law, physiotherapy and sexual health courses spent a total of eight weeks across three cohort visits in the African country as part of the UCLan Sport for Development Project.

The scheme involves students working with peer leader volunteers from Sport in Action, a Zambian based Sport for Development NGO, to deliver key health messages and life skills through sport and physical activity.

Sports Therapy student Sam Heap took part in the trip and said it was an eye-opening experience: "HIV, AIDs and drug abuse is a massive issue in Africa. We had to teach and educate the children about these problems through the use of sport. It was challenging at first because of the language barrier, but with the help of other peer leaders we managed to overcome this.

"We spent the first week in a community school with three of us looking after over 200 children. The trip was a big culture shock but also very life-changing for me. In the UK you can donate to charity, but to be able to actually go there and see what the problems are was an enlightening experience."

The UCLan Sport for Development Project was established in 2008 by Senior Lecturer Cliff Olsson. It gives students the opportunity to study the global value and contribution sport can make towards supporting wider international development such as the Millennium Development Goals and gives them a better informed perspective of global challenges.

Cliff commented: "This programme continues to go from strength to strength and is essentially about coaching at a community level and the differences it can make to the lives of these young people in improving life quality. It takes learning beyond the classroom and provides an experience that we believe underpins real learning for the real world.

"The project is led by final year undergraduates who develop leadership, management and problem solving skills over a three week period in Zambia. It's a unique opportunity that reinforces UCLan's commitment to providing real life experiences for our students."

In the past few years UCLan students have raised nearly £20,000 towards buying basic sports equipment and supported the building of basketball courts in local rural schools in Zambia.

The project has also provided the opportunity for local voluntary sports leaders from Zambia to come to Preston and share their skills and knowledge with community volunteers and children from local schools.

To view pictures from the trip please click here.

Career opportunity

ESPZEN Soccer School in Singapore is looking to recruit a Senior Coach to join their team of international coaches.

Their soccer school sees over 600 young players per week and is still growing, with the intention to expand throughout South East Asia.

Applicants need a degree in sport coaching, sport science or related subject, UEFA B License Certificate and Youth Coaching Certificate. Experience of working with players from 4 - 16 years and a First Aid qualification is also necessary.

Please email James Gow for further information.

Graduate enjoys double celebration

UCLan Sports Coaching graduate Sarah Nickless is celebrating after securing her dream job and winning a prestigious prize for academic excellence.

Sarah has been appointed as Football Development Officer for Somerset Football Association, where she will support the delivery of the National Game Strategy in partnership with key stakeholders.

She has also been rewarded for her efforts as a student after winning the S08 Sportswear Award for Academic Excellence 2015 on a programme within the Division of Sports Coaching and Development.

During her time at the university Sarah gained a wealth of additional experience, including being chosen to attend the BUCS Deloitte Leadership Academy, travelling to Rwanda as part of the FA's Changing Lives Programme and working as a Football Activator to help increase provision of the sport at UCLan.

Division Leader Leona Trimble said Sarah had reaped the rewards for going the extra mile during the course of her studies: "We are absolutely delighted for Sarah in graduating top of her divisional year group and then landing her dream job.

"She epitomised all that we advocate at UCLan - working hard academically, gaining additional qualifications and voluntary work to enhance her employability skills, and gaining relevant international experiences to enrich her learning.

"All the divisional staff are proud to have guided and supported Sarah along the way and wish her every success in the future."

Hard work pays double reward

We advise our undergraduates to gain as much practical experience as possible during the course of their studies.

Lee Marshall embraced this ethos to such an extent he's now secured two jobs after completing his Sports Coaching degree. Before joining UCLan Lee was unsure of which career to pursue, but having previously done some sports volunteering he decided to see where this could take him.

He commented: "If I'm being honest I coasted through my first year and it wasn't until signing up for the UCLan Sport 4U project in year two that things started to fall into place.

"It gave me the opportunity to gain additional coaching qualifications and I began to see my grades improve as I bought into what the degree was offering to me. I also won a Preston Volunteer of Year award which was a great honour."

In addition to working with Sport 4U, Lee gained more experience with Salford Community Leisure and has now progressed into a full-time coaching role there. His commitment to establishing a reputation for himself has reaped its rewards as he has also secured a position in professional rugby league.

"I support Swinton Lions and they invited me down for a chat after hearing about some of my work," said Lee. "I ended up being appointed Community Development Officer which is a brilliant bonus on top of my other role.

"It shows that if you put something into volunteering it can lead somewhere. People might think university is all about socialising, but focusing on what you're really there for is crucial. Don't be content with just doing the minimum – go the extra mile and people do take notice.

"The course and the lecturers were fantastic, and the advice they gave me to get out there and volunteer and gain experience has got me to where I am. Being shown by others how they manage projects, and allowed to help out on them, has allowed me to take that knowledge and secure these roles.

"A degree on its own won't get you a job, but couple it with experience and you give yourself a much better chance."

Coaching student wins UCLan volunteer award

UCLan Sports Coaching student Sophie Morrison's dedication to volunteering was rewarded as she scooped a prestigious university prize.

After completing over 1,000 hours work during her time at UCLan, Sophie was crowned Student Volunteer of the Year 2015 at the recent Centre for Volunteering & Community Leadership Awards.

Sophie has worked with three different organisations, UCLan Taekwondo, The King's School at Pontefract and Ultimate Taekwondo, regularly going the extra mile to boost her future career prospects.

She has gained a wealth of coaching and teaching experience at junior and senior level, and has worked both nationally and internationally over the past three years.

Sophie, who plans to undertake a Master's degree after graduating this summer, said she was delighted to receive the award.

"To be recognised for my work over the last three years is a great feeling," said Sophie. "I've been able to put what I've learnt into practice outside of the university, whilst having the opportunity to travel all over Great Britain and into Europe."

Division Leader Leona Trimble added: "Sophie's award is extremely well deserved. We encourage all our students to gain as much practical experience as possible to help them achieve their career goals, and Sophie has definitely embraced this ethos. She has a bright future ahead of her to look forward to."

The highlight of Sophie's extensive volunteering was her recent trip to the Netherlands with the Ultimate Taekwondo team, where she worked as their Performance Analyst at the Dutch Open. Sophie filmed each performance, giving one-to-one feedback to the athletes to help them during the competition.

Team Coach Kathy Hook commented: "Sophie's work has been extremely beneficial and the analysis has been very professional and well delivered. Her feedback to the students has been very useful, always making it clear to them what she was highlighting.

"I hope Sophie continues to work with Team Ultimate, as she has been a great asset to the team and her input would be sorely missed."

Career opportunity

UCLan Students' Union are looking for a University Netball Officer to enhance the provision of recreational Netball at the university.

The successful student will be responsible for facilitating a programme that enables all kinds of students to participate in regular Netball.

You will be supported by a network of people from England Netball, UCLan and the local netball community.

This is a great opportunity to enhance your CV, gain references from a National Governing Body, access training opportunities, receive tickets to matches and freebies from England Netball.

Please click here for more information or email the Opportunities Centre to request an application form.

Career opportunities

Elite Coaching Solutions have a number of Sports Coaching and Sports Development roles available.

Please click here for the job description and here for the person specification.

For further information or to apply please contact Simon Austerberry or Tel: 07743 413719.