Sports Coaching 2012 Entry

Honours Degree

This course aims to produce coaches with a passion for their profession and an understanding of the skills needed for coaching novice to elite performers.

Sports coaching looks to develop innovative and knowledgeable coaches who are able to excel in a wide range of environments.

If you are motivated by the challenge of working with adults and children and have a passion for helping others to enjoy and improve their sporting abilities, then this course is for you.

Our degree will help you develop a strong evidence-based approach to coaching built upon scientific principles and technical understanding. An appreciation of coaching approaches and learning styles will be developed to maximise the impact and effectiveness of coaching practice.

All students on this course will have the opportunity to work in the local sports community. We have close links with local sports clubs and partners, providing you with excellent opportunities to be involved in high quality sport and sports coaching.

Some of our modules

Introduction to Principles Coaching
Sport and Exercise Placement
Coaching Practice
Strength and Conditioning
Motor Control and Learning
Analysis of Coaching

Benefits

developing an evidence-based approach to coaching
gaining practical experience and coaching in different settings

Career paths

professional sports coach
working for local authorities
working for sports national governing bodies

Are there any placements for this course?

Compulsory work placement.

Entry requirements

points for degree: 300 using the UCAS Tariff system
applicants will need a satisfactory enhanced CRB disclosure obtained through the University of Gloucesteshire

Location?

Oxstalls

Applications

All full-time applications should be made through UCAS.

We welcome applications from students from non-traditional backgrounds and from overseas.

Profile: Niall Judge

"Some things that stand out for me are the energy of my lecturers and the enthusiasm that they show towards helping me to succeed."

BSc Sports Coaching

I chose this university as it offered so much more than any other university I visited. The appeal of the Oxstalls campus was huge as it offered everything that I needed as a sports student on one campus. State-of-the-art facilities and enthusiastic lecturers were really what attracted me, as they were things that many other institutions didn’t advertise very well. The lecturers here were happy to discuss courses and opportunities no matter how much time it took, they showed dedication to attracting students to the university and I am glad to say this has continued since I arrived.

I attended an open day at Oxstalls campus and immediately felt at home. With learning facilities, accommodation and the social areas all on-campus, it seemed like an ideal place for learning to take place.The feedback I received from people I spoke to on the day showed me that it was a unique place to learn and also a fun place to be.

The university is ideally situated in two major towns/cities, both offering different things to students, which means that you are never far away from modern conveniences. However, the rich countryside around the university offers a chance for students to get away and experience living in rural and urban areas. With major events such as the Gold Cup, it’s never hard to find a job nearby which means that there always opportunities for students to earn extra money. The University itself boasts some top class facilities and an evolving group of staff that are constantly looking to try new concepts and new courses to benefit current and existing students.

I’m now in my second year of my course, and one of the most important things has been to gather coaching experience. Having completed my compulsory hours of coaching when on placement, I was flattered to be asked to stay on and become a more senior member of the team. I felt that I must have shown good potential in my coaching, which I attribute largely to the teaching I received in my first year.

From a social aspect, coming to a new place and meeting new people was a high point in itself. The challenge of learning to look after yourself and be completely responsible for what you do is something that I am proud to have met – it’s just one of the learning curves of going to university.

Some things that stand out for me are the energy of my lecturers and the enthusiasm that they show towards helping me to succeed. They make lectures interesting and active, appealing to the learning styles of many sport students and are always there if you have a problem, no matter how small it is. Additionally, I welcome the opportunities that I’ve been given to coach, not just on placement, but also within seminars. This gives lecturers a chance to watch you coach first-hand and offer constructive criticism to help you develop.

Before embarking on this course, I thought that coaching was simply just imparting knowledge onto others, but progressing through the course, I have been taught that it’s so much more. It has helped me to think critically and challenge the norms of coaching and society. It’s helped me become more independent and take objective views of coaching through consulting reading books, journals etc.

Work placement gives you something that lectures cannot and that’s real life experience. Having learnt theories and techniques, I have been able to try out and see if they work for me as a coach. Getting experience in coaching is vital for future employment as employers like candidates who have first-hand experience of doing something.

I have been part of Sports CV for almost a year, which is an excellent initiative to help students gain sporting qualifications and enhance knowledge. They have already helped me achieve the Level 2 qualification in coaching football, something that is very important to my career. I am also a very keen athlete and am currently the Vice Captain of the university athletics team. It’s challenged me to be a leader and be dependable for my team, ensuring that I am always organised and there if anyone has any problems.

I am involved with the Student Union and am a member of bar staff at Oxstalls campus. Until you are involved in the background workings of the Student Union, you cannot appreciate the work and time that goes into making student experience the very best for everyone.

When I finish my degree, I hope to advance my education in coaching by possibly undertaking a master’s programme in a sport-related field at the university, whilst furthering my education in coaching football to a higher level.

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