During my master’s I had the opportunity to undertake two placements which proved crucial in allowing me to put the theory from my degree into practice, experience different working environments, and in developing my understanding of who I am as a coach.
My role as a Strength and Conditioning coach at Nottingham High School involved coaching gym-based sessions to school children aged 11-16 years and assisting in the delivery and planning of PE/Games lessons across a variety of sports.
This position helped strengthen my knowledge on the development of young athletes (a topic I would later choose to write about for one of my course assignments) as well as safeguarding.
I also worked as a Strength and Conditioning coach for the University Futsal teams with Loughborough Sport. My role included conducting physical testing of players throughout the season to deliver sessions underpinned by a clear rationale and monitor player progress. In addition, I planned, led and supervised warm-ups and activities during training sessions and matchdays, as well as design individualised training programmes for players upon request.
After graduating my initial career plan was to look for Strength and Conditioning roles within elite sport teams. Having the opportunity to deliver some A-Level PE teaching as part of a graduate Strength and Conditioning role, I was inspired to become a teacher and now work at St. Martins School in Brentwood where I deliver PE lessons to year 7-11 alongside teaching A-level PE.
During the Strength and Conditioning MSc, I found modules such as Professional Practice for Strength and Conditioning and Strength and Conditioning Coaching particularly useful as they gave me an opportunity to reflect upon my own practice as a coach.
They also gave me access to dynamic environments, helping me to explore different coaching styles and behaviours, which could impact how I shaped my practice moving forwards.
I found all the academic support and expertise that I received throughout the course very useful, as it allowed me to see coaching through a different lens via the academics’ own experiences and guidance. Hearing their experiences enabled me to gain a realistic view of what the world of Strength and Conditioning coaching would be like if I were to choose to enter it after graduating.
One of my highlights from Loughborough was becoming Sport Secretary for my hall of residence, Falkner Eggington. This role included arranging and delivering sporting activities and events for over 500 students across the academic year, ensuring that they run smoothly and safely to create a supporting environment for students settling into university.
For anyone with a particular passion and interest in sport, Loughborough is simply the place to be. After experiencing three amazing years as a Sport and Exercise Science undergraduate, it was only logical to me continue that journey with a master’s.
There is no denying that you must be prepared for the step up in difficulty compared to an undergraduate course. However, you can focus entirely on one area of study which allows you to gain specialised knowledge and expertise within a specific discipline.
The MSc Strength and Conditioning programme does exactly this within the lecture theatre setting, as well as giving you the chance to gain practice-based experience within a host of world-class facilities.
Together, you graduate feeling equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies to work within either specific Strength and Conditioning settings or wider sporting contexts.