Posted: Mon 1st May 2017

Award-winning Coach Delighted With Surge in Student Numbers After Champions’ League Parade

This article is old - Published: Monday, May 1st, 2017

A football coaching degree has won new support as the soccer season draws to a close.

The BSc Football Coaching and the Performance Specialist at Wrexham Glyndwr University is in strong shape for 2017/18 after a rise in recruitment.

Lecturer Sara Hilton says the course welcomes applications from all individuals interested in pursuing a career in football, whether it be as a coach, physiologist, psychologist or performance analyst.

 

“It’s an exciting time to pursue a career in sport. If people are interested they can get in touch and apply for the course,” said Sara, who was last year named Performance Coach of the Year at the FA Wales (FAW) Community Awards.

The 25 year-old recently led players from North Wales performance centres on a parade of the Champions’ League trophy in Cardiff.

Also a coach of Crewe Alexandra ladies’ first team – she was given the prestigious task as part of the award, and now looks forward to working with the next generation in partnership with the FA of Wales (FAW).

“The response to the first year of the course has been fantastic,” said Sara, whose own footballing dreams were cut short by injury as a teenager.

“The practical nature – our students are not just sat in the classroom, they are out on the training pitch – is one of its biggest selling points.”

She added: It’s fair to say football is still a male-dominated sport – and the majority on the course are men – but the women’s game is growing in popularity and we do have a female on the degree already.

“There has also been a lot of interest for the coming year from women wanting to study with us, which shows how the tide is changing.”

The course is open to all; while it is football-based there are a lot of elements that can be used in other careers, with leadership, team work and strategy key areas of study. Those taking part will be based on Wrexham campus, and at the University’s Colliers Park training facility.

Programme leader Pamela Richards, Associate Head of the School of Social and Life Sciences, said: “The BSc Football Coaching and the Performance Specialist degree is designed in partnership with the FAW to prepare students who want to work as a coach or performance specialist.

“Students on the programme will work towards the FAW Level 2 (C Certificate) and Level 3 (UEFA B) coaching Licenses. Those completing the programme will develop the skills to work with youth and senior football teams at grassroots and a high performance level.

“We are not even a year into the degree and it is already growing at a significant pace, providing opportunities for students from different areas and different backgrounds, which is fantastic to see. Football is a sport which is accessible to all, and this qualification has shown that.”

For more information visit the Wrexham Glyndwr University website or register for the University’s open day on Saturday June 10.

Spotted something? Got a story? Send a Facebook Message | A direct message on Twitter | Email: [email protected] Latest News

  • Police: Witnesses sought after wounding incident at Mold pub
  • Police Appeal to Find Missing Teen in Connah’s Quay
  • UK rushes to support steel industry amid new US tariffs

  • More...

    Police: Witnesses sought after wounding incident at Mold pub

    News

    Police Appeal to Find Missing Teen in Connah’s Quay

    News

    UK rushes to support steel industry amid new US tariffs

    News

    Beauty therapist from Mold swaps salon for student nursing journey

    News

    Connah’s Quay: Police appeal following vandalism at Bryn Road Cemetery

    News

    Welsh Government curbs on sugary drinks refills and multi-buy offers welcomed by doctors’ union

    News

    County Hall in Mold to close at the end of the month as Flintshire Council moves to Ewloe

    News

    Drug gang’s sentences increased after Deeside farm used in £250m cocaine operation

    News

    Bird flu outbreak: New rules for bird keepers over the border in Cheshire

    News