Sports Development student sees options open

Combining study with employment can be challenging, but Sam Holden is a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work and commitment.

Sam will soon graduate from our Sports Development programme and is contuining his studies as he looks to progress into teaching. We spoke to Sam to find out more:

Tell us your thoughts about UCLan and why should people study here?

UCLan developed my passion for becoming the best person I could possibly become. Through extensive support from the tutors, to their subject knowledge and guidance they've given, I'm confident in achieving success in the future.

University develops a high level of critical thinking and UCLan provides the perfect learning environment for you to excel no matter what your passion is. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

What have you done alongside your studies?

I work part-time for Bolton Wanderers Community Trust (BWCT) coaching athletes from a variety of backgrounds. On Saturdays I shadow academy coaches to further develop myself. I've recently been accepted onto a PGCE linked with Edge Hill University where I'll teach and study for one year, which will result in me becoming a NQT in Primary education.

You recently went to Spain – tell us about the trip.

I travelled to Valencia with a group of BWCT with a view to developing potential international contacts and partnerships. We coached football at Lliria FC to children there and helped them pick up basic English language skills. The Trust has since decided to focus their efforts locally.

I was subsequently offered a role as Disability Coordinator as part of a three-year project, but decided to decline the offer to continue with my studies and gain a primary PGCE.

What sort of challenges do you face in your role?

Balancing a part-time job with study can be difficult. The biggest challenge I've faced is structuring and managing my time properly.

I have to make sure I organise my life in order of importance and cut out anything that gets in the way of my development, to make sure I achieve my overall goals.

What have you enjoyed about the job?

It primarily provided me with pocket money! It's also enabled me to practice different coaching styles and methods which have been established through University modules. Finally I see children not only develop and learn new skills but to develop as individual people which gives me a huge amount of job satisfaction. Travelling to Spain was also a great experience.

What are your long-term aspirations?

I want to become a Head Teacher within either a mainstream or SEN primary school setting as soon as possible. From this point I intend to develop a new structure for primary education which involves tailoring each lesson towards the individual. I also aim to highlight the importance of Physical Education.

My main objective is to inspire individuals in becoming the best they can be and contribute towards change in education.

Students support Derian House charity

UCLan Sports Development & Enterprise undergraduates joined their colleagues from the Sports Business Management & Marketing programme to raise nearly £1,500 for Derian House.

As part of their TL3082 Sport and Leisure Events module, the students organised a series of events including a casino night, a pub quiz and football, pool & table-tennis tournaments to raise money for The Lodge.

Opened in 2010, this 4 bedded unit assists with the continuity of care of young people accessing their children's service. Derian Lodge caters for the unique needs of young people aged 16-25 with a life-limiting illness.

Lucy Sawdon-Collings from Derian House praised the students' efforts: "As I explained when I first met everyone, the hospice relies almost entirely on donations to continue to offer the support and care we give to families throughout the North West.

"You can rest assured the money raised will definitely make a difference. A huge thank you on behalf of everyone at Derian House - it's an absolutely fantastic amount and we truly do appreciate every penny."

UCLan Sports Development & Enterprise would like to thank Lucy for her tremendously helpful input in assessing and offering feedback on the feasibility study presentations and also for the support offered to groups on an individual basis.

Coaching opportunity

Preston North End Womens Juniors FC (PNEWJFC) are recruiting new volunteer coaches for the 2014/2015 season.

If you're looking to gain experience in managing and coaching at junior level, this may be the opportunity for you.

PNEWJFC have 7 girls teams from U10s through to U16s. All teams play in the West Lancs Girls Football League.

Winter training takes place at UCLan Sports Arena on Thursday evenings, with summer sessions at Archbishop Temple School, also on Thursdays. Candidates must be able to commit to weekly training sessions and weekend games, be reliable and be able to take on the responsibility of taking charge of junior players. All coaches are CRC checked on joining the Club.

Essential Qualification is an FA Level 1, while Desirable Qualifications are FA Level 2, FAYA Module 1 and FAYA Module 2.

If you wish to be considered for this role please email your CV to Muriel Freeman.

UCLan offers Basketball scholarships

UCLan are offering scholarships of up to £6,000 for successful applicants to a scheme which combines studying while playing Basketball at an elite level.

UCLAN Men's and Women’s Basketball Club have both been chosen as a Performance Sport at the University, with financial support being committed to ensure high level performances are produced.

Training takes place twice a week, with the teams competing on Wednesday afternoons in the BUCS league. Home games are played on state-of-the-art basketball courts at our £13.5M indoor sports centre.

The team also receives strength and conditioning programmes, nutritional and lifestyle advice, physiotherapy support and performance analysis to ensure all players are assessed, monitored and developed according to their specific needs.

The team has a close knit group of students who organise excellent social events each week. Many of the players have represented their own national league teams. To supplement this we offer a large range of sport related courses you could study or you could choose a course to suit your particular needs here.

For further information and application forms please contact: Amy Whitehead (Women’s coach) or Craig Wright (Men’s coach).

UCLan partner scoops two awards

UCLan Sports Coaching & Sports Development partner FUNDA received double recognition at the fourth annual Red Rose Awards.

More than 1,100 representatives of Lancashire businesses attended the glittering ceremony held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. TV and radio personality Graham Liver compered the event, and awards were handed out across 25 categories.

UCLan graduate and FUNDA founder Kieran Fletcher accompanied his team to the event following their nomination for the Caring Employer of The Year Award. Despite stiff competition, FUNDA were announced as winners and received their award from Claire Fryer, Managing Director of Mosaic Community Care.

Kieran said: "We were delighted to receive the award and started to celebrate together - as you know our staff are renowned for FUN! All businesses were having a fabulous evening networking when a special award chosen by Richard Slater, publisher of Lancashire Business View, was presented to FUNDA. Both awards were unexpected and the last one was the biggest award of the night. I wasn't ready for it and didn't even have chance to put my bow tie back on for the winning photos!"

FUNDA promotes sports, education and creative play to children and is the North West's largest children's sports coaching and activity provider. The company employs 28 full-time coaches who deliver programmes to get the most inactive children active. Kieran originally ran his business out of UCLan's Northern Lights business hub, which provides supports to fledgling student and graduate businesses.

Kieran thanked the Northern Lights team for their support: "The programme gave me the entrepreneurial desire to start up my business and without their support at start-up it would have been difficult to structure my company and protect all the intellectual property."

John Duckworth, Business Advisor for Northern Lights commented: "The Northern Lights team would like to congratulate Kieran and all his staff at FUNDA for winning not one but two of these prestigious awards. They are well deserved and reflect the hard work FUNDA has put in over the last three years to lay the foundations for future growth."

For more information about FUNDA please click here or call: 0843 523 5709.

Rocky road reaps rewards

Careers in sport often take a very different path from the one you start out on. UCLan postgraduate student Chris Brammall describes his own as a 'rocky road' and one which is still developing.

Following a highly successful time as a sports coach, coach educator and lecturer working for Schools, Professional Football Clubs, Universities and Colleges, Sporting Charities and Community Organisations, Chris signed a four-year contract with the Football Association as a PE & Coaching in Education Coordinator (NW).

He is one of just six appointments made by the FA nationally and is tasked with working with Premier League and Football League clubs to deliver a coaching programme which links to the national curriculum, and he believes the role will benefit children by helping other coaches educate them to partake in more active lifestyles.

Chris has also chosen to pursue a Master's in Sports Coaching and, after researching a number of other universities, he decided UCLan was the place to be."The University has a growing reputation in sport. The staff, research informed teaching, course modules and excellent facilities made it an easy decision for me when I decided to take on postgraduate study."

Away from his main job and studies, Chris still does volunteer work and thinks anyone looking to work in sport needs to be flexible: "It's important to have a plan, but don't try and look too far ahead as your career may not take the path you expect," he said.

"Find out what your main passions are and look for jobs in that area, but be prepared to do different things. Networking is vital and you need to keep learning as you progress to stay ahead of the game."

Graduates 'go the extra mile'

Two of our 2011 cohort are shining examples of what can be achieved through hard work. Darren Waldron and Katie Bent have secured rewarding roles since graduating through our programmes, and both put it down to going the extra mile whilst studying.

Darren undertook volunteer work with Preston Council, before coaching on the Streetwise scheme. He enjoyed his time at UCLan so much he accepted a full-time role as a Sports Development Officer in the Student Union.

"It's important to get yourself noticed and get a reputation, said Darren. "I did a lot of volunteering which helped me get my current job. I've coached football and led on numerous other sports. Perhaps my biggest achievement so far was working on the University's Sport 4 U project, where we achieved our three year target within the first 12 months.

"I now look after various Student Union leagues and work closely with our BUCS teams. I'd advise any UCLan students looking to work in sport to use your lecturers when it comes to looking for jobs. They have the experience to make sure you're on the right path with your applications."

After leaving UCLan, Katie spent some time in Australia before taking up a coaching role in the UK at Bolton Hockey Club. She puts her success down to what she learned on our programme.

"I spent two weeks in Zambia on the Sport for Development Project during my second year and two months there during my final year.

"I also went to Russia to help teach volunteers ahead of Sochi 2014. They were invaluable experiences. I’ve now worked my way up the ladder and I'm running the hockey programme at Bolton.

"When applying for jobs it's vital to sell yourself - make sure you get across what you've learned and what you've done. I'm now reaping the rewards to the point where the England hockey manager knows who I am and the work I've done. It's all down to the hard work I put in at UCLan."