Following the success of hosting 60 football coaches from China on a three-month study visit over the 2016 summer term, in November 2016, Dr Jacky Forsyth (Senior Lecturer, Sport and Exercise) and Mr Nigel Lee (International Office) visited various Universities and high schools throughout China as part of a two-week study and career roadshow, organised by the British Council. The objectives of the roadshow were to showcase our courses in sport and exercise and to promote Staffordshire University’s profile, for the purposes of recruiting both undergraduate and postgraduate students to our courses in the future.

The tour involved visits to six different cities (Beijing, Wuhan, Chongqing, Ningbo, Suzhou and Guangzhou, selected by the British Council), incorporating demo classes and meetings at four universities and four schools. This subject-focused roadshow was the first of its kind for the British Council, China, and it was a great opportunity for Staffordshire University to be a part of it.

In the demo classes and career talks, we highlighted what it was like to study and live at Staffordshire University, and students got a taste of how British lectures differ to the customary lecture format in China. We highlighted our current research on the differences between males and females regarding fat oxidation following high intensity interval exercise. The students were able to get involved using our Turning point clickers, engaged in discussion and debate, and learnt about our applied work at the University.

We also met with staff at Chengdu Sport University, Chongqing University and Chengdu Normal University, in order to discuss collaboration opportunities (such as partnerships, and opportunities for research collaborations, and student exchanges). These meetings were only possible because of the recent three-month study visit that we hosted (along with Stoke City FC Community Trust) for 58 Chinese football coaches on behalf of the Federation of University Sports of China (FUSC) and the China School Sports Federation (CSSF). As the coaches have now become Staffordshire University’s alumni, they were able to share their campus and learning experiences with their colleagues and students.

From our experiences of further and higher education in China, we learnt how courses in China in sport and exercise are evolving and growing rapidly, from a strong base on physical education and physiotherapy into sports science and management of sport. From the meetings we had with both the different universities as part of the British Council roadshow, and via our Chinese football coaching alumni, we are very much looking forward to future developments and collaborations.

For further information about the sports courses at Staffordshire University please visit our Sport Courses

Staffordshire University’s Sports and Exercise department are introducing a new accelerated degree in Soccer Coaching and Performance in September 2018*. This course is designed to accommodate a growing need within the sector for sport specific coaching degrees, with this being a specific football focused degree.

The BSc (Hons) Football Coaching and Performance degree is an ‘accelerated degree’, which is delivered over 2 years, instead of the typical 3 for an undergraduate course. The course aims to provide aspiring football coaches from both the U.K and abroad with the opportunity to acquire the appropriate skills, and develop the specific knowledge required to gain employment in the football industry, both in the U.K and internationally.

The course combines aspects of football coaching, performance analysis, professional development and football conditioning. The course is delivered by a highly motivated and well-qualified team of academics, as well as expert UEFA licenced football coaches. Support comes from local partners, which include the English Premier League (EPL) football team Stoke City F.C., Newcastle town F.C., and the Sir Stanley Mathews Coaching Foundation, amongst others. For this reason, there is a work placement opportunity which will provide students with the opportunity to gain a valuable insight in to the inner-workings of a professional football club, or the development of football in the U.K. at a community level.
The course is linked with Staffs F.A., who will provide the opportunity to further professional development by completing football coaching qualifications from The F.A.’s coach education pathway. Furthermore, students will gain insight and experience of using industry standard performance analysis software, for example Focus and Dartfish programmes which are commonly used within professional football clubs.

This accelerated degree will add to the suite of accelerated degree courses currently offered by Sport and Exercise, at present the other being the Strength and Conditioning degree. It is an exciting time for the staff involved and an excellent opportunity for those interested in coaching and specifically football coaching. If you require any further information, then please contact the course leader Ashley Gill (Ashley.Gill1@staffs.ac.uk).

Members of the Sport and Exercise team at Staffordshire University, held an event to promote positive female role models, develop a stronger social identity for women, and encourage networking between women who are working and studying in this area. The recently hosted careers event, gave opportunity for our female students, recent graduates and other guest speakers to share their thoughts and experiences regarding the opportunities and barriers that women face in sport. They spoke about: what attracted them to studying sport, and into the job they have currently, as well as the job opportunities/barriers for females who wish to study and work in sport and exercise. Finally, they offered advice to females intending to study and work in a wide variety of sport and exercise professions.

Feedback from the evening reflected how useful the event was and how inspiring personal stories from other women can be and included:

“The speakers were diverse and interesting to listen to.”

“It was good to hear women’s success stories in sport, which gave me confidence.”

“The case study stories of the presenters were very powerful and personal. This meant that the audience could identify with the authenticity of the speakers and relate it to their own situation.”

Everyone involved in the event were extremely grateful to all the speakers who gave up their time to come and share their stories. We hope that by promoting and encouraging our students (past, present and future), to attend these events, we can inspire them to achieve success in their career within sport and exercise.

If you would like to find out more about activities within sport and exercise, please contact:

Jacky Forsyth, j.j.forsyth@staffs.ac.uk
Relevant blog: https://blogs.staffs.ac.uk/drjackyforsyth/2016/07/27/females-working-and-studying-in-sport-and-exercise/

Lynne Duval, l.duval@staffs.ac.uk
Alison Bambridge, a.bambridge@staffs.ac.uk

The Sport and Performance Psychology Group at Staffordshire University are hosting their Second Performance Psychology Conference on Wednesday 18th October 2017.

Following the success of the Inaugural event in October 2016, this year’s conference will bring together world-leading expert practitioners who will share their insights of applying evidence-based approaches to sport, exercise, and performance psychology.

The format of the day includes interactive workshops, keynote speakers, and a panel discussion including international and Paralympic athletes to experienced performance psychologists.

The conference is suitable for practitioners at all levels, from students and trainees to experienced and expert psychologists, and it’s evidence-based focus means the conference will also be of interest to researchers.

Dr Matthew Slater
m.slater@staff.ac.uk

A group of Blackburn Rovers FC youngsters are being monitored as they progress from the Under-12 to Under-14 age groups, to ascertain the effects of the increased training load on the cardiac function of young players as a result of the introduction of the EPPP.

The players are being tested on a cycle ergometer exercise test three times from 2015 to 2017. During the test, measurements of the structure and function of the heart will be obtained using echocardiography, as well as the aerobic fitness levels of the boys.

The second stage of this project was completed this year and the results are in the process of being analysed. The project was co-ordinated by Professor Vish Unnithan from the School of Sport and Exercise at Staffordshire University, who said: “The enthusiasm of the boys has been first class and the help of all the staff at Blackburn Rovers Academy, particularly Dr. Russ Wrigley, in helping to organise a complex project is very much appreciated by all the researchers. We are looking forward to coming back to the club in 2017 to complete the project.”

Find out more about Professor Vish Unnithan and his his research interests

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) .