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.

Coaching opportunities

Middle East Youth Soccer Organisation (MEYSO) are looking for coaches who are passionate about coaching and have a flair for working with young people.

They need coaches who are resilient, highly driven and self motivated, who will go the extra mile to ensure that players achieve beyond their own expectations.

Candidates should have the ability, passion and enthusiasm to coach young people from all over the world within the heart of Dubai and the surrounding area to help build on the Academy's community coaching and advanced team coaching curriculum.

The successful candidates can expect to work in an atmosphere of mutual support and co-operation. You should have excellent communication skills with children aged 3-11 years and able to give fun sessions which focus upon a learning topic from the curriculum.

Candidates should be at least a Level 2 FA coach, have experience of running a team/s within 8-16 year olds and have the drive to go above and beyond their role.

To apply please email your CV and a video of you coaching an age group of your choice (preferably foundation phase) to Ian Fern.