International call-up for UCLan student

UCLan's Joe Gilpin has been chosen to represent England at the upcoming Student Four Nations tournament.

The Sports Studies student progressed through a series of tough training camps to make the final 20-man squad which travels to Dublin in June to face Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

England are preparing for the Four Nations with RFL Association Cups games against the Great Britain teams for the Police, Teachers and Armed Forces.

Joe, who was on the scoresheet as England won 72-8 against the Police, commented: "I'm eager and excited to represent my country and compete at an international level.

"I'd like to thank my UCLan Coach, Andy Procter, who has helped me develop and improve as a player. I'm also grateful to my university lecturers and the sports department for their support throughout this process."

The Student Four Nations takes place from 14-19 June.

NC State visit cements new partnership

UCLan Sports Studies undergraduates crossed the Atlantic to experience life at one of the USA's top research institutions.

Accompanied by colleagues from the university's Sports Business Management and Sports Marketing programme, the group spent a week at North Carolina State University to formalise a new partnership agreement between UCLan and NC State.

The trip, supported by the UCLan Travel Bursary scheme, gave students the opportunity to take part in a series of lectures delivered by staff from both universities, teach in local schools, deliver coaching sessions and visit a variety of world-class facilities.

UCLan's Nick Passenger and Dr Ingrid Griffiths led the visit which featured a tour around NC State's sports facilities including Carter-Finley Football Stadium, the PNC Stadium, Weisiger-Brown Athletic Facility and the Willis R Casey Aquatic Centre.

NC State has invested a huge amount of money into its sporting programme, with the 'Wolfpack' brand one of the most recognisable names in American intercollegiate varsity competition.

Students also toured the Carolina Panthers' NFL stadium and enjoyed an evening watching a Durham Bulls baseball game.

Dr Griffiths said the visit enhanced our students' learning experience: "This was an important trip for our Division. As well as being invited to a fantastic university, it was a pleasure to take our excellent students and establish long term relationships in a number of areas.

"The hospitality and welcome we received was excellent throughout, and the opportunity to work with world-leading staff was of great to benefit to us all. Thanks must be given to Dr Sue Minten from UCLan and NC State’s Dr Mike Edwards for their superb organisation."

The highlight of the week for Dr Griffiths came as the hosts presented her with tickets to see The Who and meet Roger Daltrey at a special charity concert in aid of Teen Cancer America.

In addition to forging the relationship with NC State, a new collaborative partnership with Meredith College was also agreed, with UCLan students now having research opportunities available to them at the all-female Physical Education institution.

Nick Passenger commented: “The experience our students had on this trip was exceptional and is a key reason why our courses have been designed as they have.

"Our students were a real credit to UCLan. Their performance in lectures and the maturity they showed whilst teaching and coaching local children showed what an excellent job our staff have done in helping their development.

"NC State were magnificent hosts and special thanks must be given to Mike, Jason and Gareth for all their time and efforts. It was a lovely touch for them to invite us to a function with The Who, and also introduce us to Joey Butler and his Durham Bulls team. Unfortunately for the Bulls I think they have 17 lifelong Twitter followers from across the Atlantic now!

"We look forward to hosting NC State and Meredith College in 2016 and developing research and lecture materials online in the meantime. I can only see this partnership getting stronger - Go Pack."

To view a selection of images from the trip please click here.

Student chases teaching dream

Our programme is designed to provide students with a variety of opportunities for their future careers.

Jonathan Barber, who is set to graduate this summer, has been accepted onto a PGCE course at Lakes College, West Cumbria, which he plans to use a route into a teaching role.

He said: "The course has been perfect for me. UCLan Sports Studies has various modules which focus on various aspects of sport.

"When teaching at FE level this is valuable as BTEC courses look at a variety of different aspects such as history and sociology, but also the practical side in coaching and PE.

"The lectures at university have been excellent. Over the three years I've found Danny Nuttall has always made himself available whenever I've needed some advice. Nick Passenger and David Grecic have also been brilliant - they've given me the knowledge I've needed to successfully gain a place on my PGCE course by making me feel confident for my interview.

"In the future I'm hoping to teach in FE to inspire students to reach their potential, either in employment or at university."

The UCLan Sports Studies team would like to congratulate Jonathan on his success.

Academic efforts rewarded with showpiece event invite

Two first year UCLan Sports Studies undergraduates were rewarded for their academic excellence with an evening at the prestigious Sir Tom Finney Annual Tribute Dinner.

April Waring and Daniel Osmond's efforts in their module, Sport in Society, where they analysed the socialisation of disadvantaged groups into sport, resulted in an invite to the event headlined by ex-West Bromwich Albion & England star Cyrille Regis.

Their assignment linked with the theme of the charity dinner, which was held in the Invincibles Suite at Deepdale in aid of the Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre.

The community project continues the legacy of Sir Tom by providing football coaching, education and competitive football opportunities for people regardless of age, ability, disability, sex, social or racial background, who would not normally have an opportunity to play football.

April said he was delighted to have the opportunity to go to the event: "I was really surprised at being invited to attend the Dinner, but it was an opportunity I really appreciated as the topic of the night is something I'm really interested in. I had a great time and it was great to hear from Cyrille Regis and others from the sports industry."

Daniel added: "The evening was a great insight in to the charity work being done in the area to get people, who wouldn't normally have the chance, involved in football. It was also wonderful to see Tom Finney's legacy being preserved by so many people."