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.

Graduate secures Florida coaching role

Our programme provides graduates with a platform to progress into careers across the world.

After successfully completing his Sports Coaching degree, Chris Farnworth secured a position with Global Premier Soccer (GPS) in Fort Myers, Florida.

GPS is one of the largest and most successful soccer clubs in the USA, with 10 franchises from Vermont to Florida.

The company strives to improve players technically, tactically, physically and psychologically, providing them with the best coaching available in a professional and elite environment.

Chris commented: "It's fantastic down here. I'm coaching an under 14s boys and under 10s girls team for Florida Knights, as well as being in charge of the recreational league here. I wouldn't have been able to do this without my degree and other qualifications."

For more information about GPS please click here.

St George's Park welcomes UCLan students

UCLan Sports Coaching undergraduates recently visited St George's Park National Football Centre for a first-hand look at an elite sporting environment.

As part of their final year studies, the group viewed the range of support services available to England's top footballers at the Burton-upon-Trent venue.

During their tour of the facilities, students took part in a variety of activities including a dynamic warm-up and plyometric session, body composition analysis and Hydroworx underwater treadmill running.

The students said they thoroughly enjoyed their visit. Aimee McKeown commented: "The trip certainly opened my eyes and provided me with better knowledge of the subjects we experienced.

"I wouldn't have got an opportunity like this if I was studying back home in Belfast, as we just don't have these type of facilities. It was a top day and a quality experience."

Emils Curtis added: "The whole day was amazing. It was great to see the facilities elite athletes are able to use and what support they may receive if they get injured.

"This trip has been one of my best days since I've been in England and I definitely won't forget it. Being able to swim in ice cold water and run on the underwater treadmill was the highlight. If there's another trip like this in the future it would certainly be something not to miss out on."

The visit was facilitated by Perform - the official healthcare provider to St. George's Park. To view a selection of images from the day please click here, or to check out video footage please click here.

Coaching opportunities

Elite Coaching Solutions (ECS) require NGB Qualified Level 2 Coaches to deliver their varied Physical Development sessions in Bolton and Preston.

Coaches will undertake mentoring and training in the first two weeks of working with the company, to allow you to observe and be observed before moving on to delivering sessions alone.

You will then undergo coach observations on a monthly basis to aid development. Sessions include:

• Sporting Breakfast Clubs
• Dinnertime Intervention Clubs
• After School Clubs (All Sports)
• Tailored Sports Premium Curriculum Programmes (Teacher CPD, Skills Identification Programmes etc)
• SEN Children Programmes
• Physical Phonics

ECS have a large number of hours available for appropriate candidates. Starting salary will be £10 per hour, with a view to this increasing if the candidate matches ECS' high standards in the first three months of employment.

Coaches must have use of a vehicle, as the role involves to travel to and from venues across Preston and Bolton.

For further information please email Calum Aspen or Tel: 07738 963607.

Students receive volunteer awards

Two UCLan Sports Coaching undergraduates were recently rewarded for their volunteer efforts during 2014.

Andy Hilton and Tom Storey were recognised for their excellent work, during the ceremony to launch the 10th annual Preston Sports Awards.

The pair give up their time every Saturday to conduct coaching sessions for children aged 4-13 at The Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Development Centre.

Andy hopes to use the experience as a platform to progress into coaching in the USA, and whilst Tom is currently keeping his options open he is hopeful the work will boost his future career prospects.

Senior Lecturer Cliff Olsson commented: "I'd like to pass on my congratulations to Tom and Andy. They both represent everything that outstanding coaching students should aspire to, which is to make a difference and a contribution to the communities they work in. Well done lads, you should be very proud."

Coaching opportunities

Glover's Swim School have a number of Coaching roles available across Lancashire.

They require instructors who are qualified with either the Amateur Swimming Association or The Swimming Teachers Association for paid roles.

Alternatively, if anyone is looking to gain experience on a voluntary basis, Glover's would be more than happy for them to assist while gaining experience and guidance alongside their senior teachers.

For more information please email Thomas Glover.

Warriors visits enhance UCLan partnership

Mark (centre) with Carl Cunningham & Craig Wright

Our undergraduates recently had the opportunity to engage with staff from one of the country's top sports clubs.

Wigan Warriors' duo Mark Quinn and Amanda Wilkinson came into UCLan to speak with students about their roles with the Super League giants and their experiences in the sports industry.

Mark is Warriors' Head of Sports Science and Analysis, while Amanda works as a Performance Coach and Marketing Executive.

They have both enjoyed success in their roles, with Mark having the opportunity to travel to Australia to conduct research during last year's World Club Challenge and Amanda becoming Rugby League's first-ever UKCC Level 3 Coach.

Mark said their visits helped to reinforce the relationship between UCLan and the Warriors: "It's brilliant to have the link with the University. Some of the technology they have and the ideas we can bounce off each other is invaluable.

"It's also great to be able provide opportunities for students to see what happens in a high performance environment. By discussing what goes on behind the scenes, we're able to show students how they can apply what they learn at UCLan to the real world.

"The students could also see how my trip to Australia fitted in with postgraduate study, as the research I carried out is being used towards my PhD studies."