My interest in Sport Psychology came from studying both P.E and psychology at A-level in my local sixth form college.  It was from then that I decided to look for universities offering a degree in Sport Psychology as this was the combination of the two subjects I enjoyed the most.

After looking at a number of universities, Staffordshire University became my first choice as the University offered a BPS (British Psychological Society) accredited course and the department seemed well organised and friendly.

Throughout the three years of the degree I developed a real passion for the subject and it was clear towards the end of the third year I wanted to study further.  Staffordshire University offered a two year part-time MSc in Sport Psychology by distance learning – although I was only living a couple of mile ways from the University!  Therefore, having enjoyed my time as an undergraduate and with the department being so supportive, it was an easy decision to make. This worked out great for me as I was able to work a part-time job alongside my studying. During this time, as I was living locally, I was also able to get involved in a number of research projects around the University further developing my research knowledge and skills.

After finishing my Masters an opportunity came up to read for a PhD focused on a similar area to my MSc project and I was lucky enough to be offered the position.  My PhD is funded by the University from monies allocated form the last REF (Research Excellence Framework)  – This is a Government initiative that every six years evaluates and funds UK Universities research.

I find myself very fortunate to be working in such a fantastic department and excited for the PhD Journey!

I had made the move from my then home in Bangkok Thailand to Staffordshire to study with the best in my field of Sport and Performance Psychology here at Staffordshire University.   I came to study psychology as an undergraduate a little late but when I look back psychology and the human mind have always fascinated me.  Life has initially took me on another path but eventually I found my way back and embarked on my under graduate degree before embarking on my Masters via distance learning in Sport and Exercise Psychology   at Staffordshire University.

The MSc program offered me a win-win since I could stay in Thailand and still pursue an MSc which also gave me my stage 1 training towards becoming a charted Sport and Exercise Psychologist, the icing on the cake though is that the Sport Psychology team are leading in the field currently producing great and exciting research and taking the profession forward.

Having completed the MSc in 2014 I was determined to continue my studies and self-fund a PhD.  My Master’s degree had ignited a passion for research in the field and the scope for really helping people became apparent to me, but this time I wanted to be a part of the culture, to experience the experimental research process within the lab and to be amongst the culture on a daily basis so I moved nearby and haven’t looked back.

First as a PhD student, I was both nervous and excited.  My supervisors (Dr Jamie Barker  and Dr Martin Turner) greeted me and made sure I had everything I needed to go and get on with it all, introduced me and made sure that everything was going ok.  I had my apprehensions about the move but it has turned out to be the best decision I have ever made and my supervisors have been amazing!

The team here at Staffs provide an encouraging growth culture. We want to achieve excellent standards of work that aim to have a wide ranging impact on people’s lives, it’s a privilege to study here.

If you are interested in studying our MSc in Sports Psychology or Applied Sport Psychology by distance learning take a look at our website course page, where you can also find information on our on-campus MSc Applied Research and MA Applied Research that you can study in any Sport, exercise or Psychology related subject and details of self-funded PhD and our research opportunities.

2015 BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy graduates Matt Roach, Saffron Mann and Chris Loughran have all gained employment in elite football. In what is an incredibly competitive industry to gain work, these three graduates have shown the value that being a Staffordshire Graduate can bring by beating other, sometimes more experienced, candidates to these roles.

Matt has begun with Championship side MK Dons, taking up a role as the Academy Sports Therapist. This role will see Matt working with all the Academy teams up to th
e under 15 age group team. Matt’s duties require him to provide pre-match and pitchside care, attend training sessions and oversee the rehabilitation of these players. Recent graduates through the MK Dons Academy have included players such as Dele Ali who was recently sold to Tottenham Hotspur and gone on to earn full England International honours. On landing his role Matt said “I think the placements that i had while at Staffs with a professional football team helped me get this job. The exposure to these big names environments during the course well as being a good experience only help your CV on graduating”.

Chris has recently been employed by the Irish Football Association to provide Sports Therapy provision for the Northern Ireland under 19’s side. Earlier this month Chris traveled with the squad on a trip to Iceland, providing the medical support during two friendly fixtures against their hosts, one resulting in a 2-0 defeat and the other a 1-0 victory. Chris who was awarded the Contribution Award Prize in his final year of study said of this experience “Thankfully there
were no major incidents to deal with on this trip, and all the players have remained fit for selection. As an Irishman this has absolutely surreal experience being given the opportunity to come on board and work with an international team. I’ve worked with a few football teams before but never had the opportunity to travel to various countries around the world so being given this opportunity has been truly amazing topped off by being able to see the Northern Lights and Blue Lagoon during the down time on to the trip.”

Chris will be travelling away again with the side ahead of the Under 19 European Championships in Russia. The team take on Norway in the opening group stage match before playing Russia and Slovakia.

Finally Saffron Mann has also been appointed Academy Sports Therapist with Shrewsbury Town Football Club, having impressed during her time on placement with the club. Saffron now works with 7 teams in total, ranging from U9 – U16 (boys) and the Shrewsbury Town Ladies teams. Like Matt, Saffron provides the pitchside emergency trauma during fixtures and runs a clinic during their training sessions covering everything from injury assessment to progressing rehab programmes.

These graduates, alongside previous reported student employments in football further illustrate the growth in strength and reputation of the BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy programme, which is one of only two Sports Therapy programmes to gain 100% overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey earlier this year.

To find out more about our Sports Therapy programme, book onto an Open day via www.staffs.ac.uk , or find out about the experiences of our students follow us on @SUSTclinic or Facebook: Staffordshire University Sports Therapy (SUST) .