Higher Education Fairs 2016

It was a real pleasure to be part of the Higher Education Fairs at both Birmingham Met and Stourbridge College. Many students displayed significant interest in pursuing a career in sport and a degree at UCLan! Andy Sprake had the pleasure of meeting students from a wide variety of educational backgrounds and career aspirations, ranging from teaching physical education and coaching to outdoor leadership and setting up their own business in the sports market. Many of the stands were representing their respective universities as a whole, whereas the UCLan stand was representing the School of Sport and Wellbeing. This intrigued several other members of staff at the event and they were only too happy to welcome us as a division!

Here are some students showing an interest in a career in Sports at Stourbridge College.

Colleagues from within the School also attended the fair at Birmingham Met.

Here we see Andy Sprake with Chris Eastabrook from The Outdoors and Denis Pressler from Sports Management.

The team are always keen to come out to schools individually, attend careers advents or welcome schools to visit the university. If we can be of any help, then please do not hesitate to contact Dean Hardy on DHardy2@uclan.ac.uk or 01772 894428.

Induction Week

The Sports Studies induction week has started with a bang and the students have been fully engaged in a variety of activities. The second day saw students working with the Frontier Education Team at the UCLan Sports Arena saw the new first year students engaging in team-building, 
co-operative learning and problem solving activities, all in an outdoor context. 

This provoked some early, and very encouraging, discussions about learning styles, teamwork, the value of group dynamics and the importance of group cohesion for successful learning. A particularly interesting talking point was sparked by the idea that the quietest learners could in fact have the loudest minds. PE Associate Lecturer Andrew Sprake highlighted his pleasure at the engagement of the students stating “This was a fantastic experience for all and it was pleasing to see the professionalism that these students approach the day’s activities with. This clearly was a very promising start from our newest arrivals at UCLan!”

Dr Adams attends opening of major gaming exhibition

Dr Iain Adams attended the opening of the National Football Museum's latest exhibition – Pitch to Pixel: The World of Football Gaming.

The exhibition is sponsored by EA Sports who publish the hugely successful FIFA 16 game series, and Sports Interactive, creators of Football Manager – the world's most popular management game.

Pitch to Pixel features lots of interactive opportunities and insights into how games have evolved and are created.

Dr Adams is pictured talking to Kevin Moore, the museum director, and Miles Jacobson the studio director of Football Manager.

For more information about the exhibition please click here.

UCLan Sports Studies update

New Associate Lecturer Andrew Sprake (left) is set for a busy few months after taking over management of the UCLanSport Floodlit Cup.

Division Leader Nick Passenger has handed over the running of this year's competition to Andrew, which helps forge links with schools and provides volunteering opportunities to students across a variety of sports programmes.

Preston Grasshoppers have hosted four games so far, with Birkdale High School, St Ambrose, ArnoldKEQMS and Stockport Grammar School all progressing to the quarter-final stage.

The PGDE deadline is fast approaching and it's always nice to receive feedback from our Alumni about their development. Ben McGarry and Matthew Dixon are undertaking their PGDE's at Loughborough University and are doing well in their two initial placements at Ivanhoe College and Trent College (Independent School) respectively.

We also have two graduates on the School Direct scheme, with Megan Greaves excelling at Millfield School near Blackpool and Jonathan Barber progressing well at Lakes College in Cumbria.

Away from teaching, Tom Downward has started his internship at the Isle of Man National Sports Centre, while Jessica Horne has confirmed she's off to Dubai to work for Ethiad Airways.

Football experts remain in big demand

Researchers from our International Football Institute (IFI) have been busy over the past few weeks, working on a variety of high-profile projects.

Dr Iain Adams' studies into football during World War One resulted in him being invited to deliver a public lecture at the National Archives in Surrey. The presentation, entitled 'Over the Top - A foul, a blurry foul: the first football charge of The Great War' will be released via podcast in the coming weeks.

Professor John Hughson has been one of the editors of a new book entitled 'New Directions in Sport History'. Co-edited by Duncan Stone and Rob Ellis from the University of Huddersfield, the book contains chapters by Professor Hughson and Dr Adams.

PhD student Graham Deakin recently presented a very well-received paper - 'Up Close & Personal: The Changing Media Image of the 1960's Football Hero' - at the British Society of Sports History's annual conference at Swansea University.

To find out more about IFI please click here.

Life-changing trips inspire graduate's career choice

Grace Thind enjoyed her time at UCLan so much she decided to use her degree to secure a full-time role in higher education.

The Sports Studies graduate has joined the University of Salford as a Sports Assistant - a varied role which includes reception and lifeguard duties.

Grace joined our programme after completing a BTEC college course and said the huge range of opportunities to study different aspects of the sporting industry was the reason she chose UCLan.

She commented: "The course completely lived up to my expectations as every student has the opportunity to tailor it towards their desired career path, whether that be teaching, coaching or personal training - there is no limit.

"When I joined UCLan I'd no idea what I wanted to do as a job. I just knew I loved sport and wanted to make a career out of it. I found my calling in my second year on a module called 'Sport for International Development' which showed how to use sport as a tool to address issues other than ones that were sport-related."

Grace travelled to Zambia to work with vulnerable children, delivering key life skill messages through activities and games. The trip was a life-changing experience, opening her eyes to the power of sport and massively improving her confidence.

In her final year Grace took advantage of another international opportunity, visiting North Carolina State University and interacting with the sports students and staff there. This inspired her to pursue a career in education.

"I love being in the university environment and I loved my time at NC State, so I'd like to continue to work within institutions nationally or internationally and take on roles with the opportunity to develop and progress within the sporting sector," said Grace. "I'd also like to have some involvement in international sport for development.

"All of this wouldn't have been possible without the help, support and opportunities made available to me by the staff at UCLan, particularly Nick Passenger who leads the course.

"Nick went above and beyond his job expectations to ensure we were all on track and had the assistance and help we needed. He also offered countless amazing work opportunities, experiences and placements, both nationally and internationally.

"I wouldn't be the person I am today without UCLan and I can't thank them enough for everything they've provided me with. I'd 100% recommend this course. I've made lifelong friends and it's an experience I'll forever cherish and be grateful for."

Matty kickstarts his career with Link4Life

UCLan Sports Studies graduate Matty Howells is celebrating after joining Link4Life as a Sports Community Coach. Matty will work across the Rochdale area, teaching Physical Education to primary school children.

Link4Life lead and manage the delivery of high quality, enjoyable, affordable, accessible cultural provision in Rochdale Borough that gives residents and visitors the opportunity to lead the active, creative and healthy lifestyle of their choice.

Matty commented: "I enjoyed three amazing years at UCLan due to the enthusiastic, knowledgeable and supportive lecturers who helped create a dynamic and fun environment in all lectures and seminars.

"The students on my course all got along really well which helped us enjoy the degree to the max. I've become a much more organised and confident person in my ability to coach sports to children and with the added bonus of being able to cook!

"The Sports Studies programme gave me the opportunity to attend placements through which I gained invaluable experience, whilst the university's careers service helped me structure my CV and gave me tips on how to prepare for job interviews.

"The highlight of my time on the course was having the chance to represent UCLan on a trip to North Carolina State University which was an amazing experience. Thanks to all the staff and Sports Studies 2012-2015 crew for everything."