Graduates progress into professional football

A series of work placements paid dividends for two Sports Coaching graduates as they secured roles in professional football.

Michael Vernon made use of the links UCLan has with a number of clubs to gain experience as a Performance Analyst.

In addition to working for Preston North End Women FC, he spent some time with Bury FC first team. Michael also gained a great insight into the lives and routines of elite athletes while working as a Lead Coach and Analyst for Olympic athletes based at UCLan during London 2012.

After graduating, Michael took a placement at Burnley FC where he worked for a full season, before accepting a full-time role at Shrewsbury Town ahead of the 2014/15 season.

During the course of his studies, Tom Hart carried out performance analysis for Curzon Ashton, Blackpool Ladies FC, AFC Fylde and the Wales Women's senior team during their World Cup campaign.

After graduating Tom began an internship with Bolton Wanderers to work within Academy, but he was quickly recommended for a full-time role at Oldham Athletic.

Tom said: "The opportunity came up to work at Oldham alongside their manager, Lee Johnson, the First Team coaches and players. I went for an interview, which was followed by a 10 day trial and then the offer of a contract.

"I'm providing post match video analysis to assist in the feedback process to players following every first team game, as well as creating extensive pre-match opposition reports and analysis outlining different areas of the oppositions players, including strengths and weaknesses and looking at previous formations.

"The club also use an external company to provide us with team and individual statistical reports from each game. We use that to help within the feedback process if necessary as well as update the statistical database we've set up at the club."