Get Into Sport, issue 3

GET INTO

FREE ISSUE 3 2016

S ir B ra dl ey W ig gi ns wa nt s to in sp ir e th e ne xt ge ne ra ti on of cy cl is ts

ALLEZ

WIGGO! MERSEY BEAT

Ronaldo Koeman is eyeing silverware as he looks to take Everton to the top…

More ex clusive interviews with:

PETRA KVITOVA SARAH BARROW CONOR McNAMARA

FIND OUT HOW TO BECOME …

A PERSONAL TRAINER A TALENT SPOTTER AN APPRENTICE A COACH ABROAD A PHOTOGRAPHER

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10 TOP TIPS ON HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT UNIVERSITY

�Most of my stand-out memories from Leeds Beckett University are from some killer training sessions on the track and in the pool. I was fortunate enough to be able to pursue an area of study that interested me in a flexible manner to accommodate my sport, which was perfect.�

Alistair Brownlee MBE

Sporting excellence Leeds Beckett University has a proud history and tradition of sporting success; inspiring students to fulfil their potential and take their passion for sport to another level. Leeds Beckett is also recognised for its high quality teaching and research across sport science and sports coaching.

From developing athletes and coaches to producing world-class sporting research, Leeds Beckett makes a real impact in the world of sport.

To find out more about Leeds Beckett University and our range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and research expertise visit leedsbeckett.ac.uk

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A SPORTS CAREER

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...

4

We. Love. Sport. Those in sport reveal what they love about their jobs.

6

Ronald Koeman The Everton manager on his master plan.

10

Conor McNamara The BBC commentator’s top mic tips.

12

Snap chat Award-winning sports photographer shares his best work.

18

Here come the girls Three journalists reveal what it’s like working in the media.

20

Upgrade your coaching Gareth Long is games master!

26

Love fitness? Why not make it your job... Here are five ways to get started.

28

Bradley Wiggins The legend wants to leave a lasting legacy.

32

Talent spotter How one school inspires their students.

36

Anyone for tennis? World no.11 Petra Kvitova is looking to win silverware in 2017

40

Wheels of fortune Sports scientist David Harvey on life in the F1 fast lane

42

Team behind the team Who helped Team GB’s women to win gold in Rio?

46

What happened next? One Olympian is on the hunt for work after retiring…

48

Working with champions Leading physiologist Steve Ingham on training the stars.

50

You’re hired! Learn on the job… become an apprentice!

52

Up for the Cup Behind-thescenes on FA Cup final day.

Working wanderlust Grab your 54 passports, you're off to work.

Photo: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency

56

Build a killer CV Top sports recruiter reveals all.

Pick the right uni Ten tips to 58 help you make the right choice.

60

Careers dos and don’ts Simple, yet crucial tips.

62

Well read Essential books to help you win at uni.

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Welcome zine returns for a third Careers in Sport’s in-house maga hope you like it! time, with a new look and feel. We

T

here really is no substitute to working in sport. Forget the 9-5, jobs in sport enable you to see and do things you simply won’t experience in other vocations.

And while we’ve all no doubt shared similar hopes and dreams of taking gold or scoring that last-minute winner, being a sports journalist, a PE teacher or sports scientist, for example, really is the next best thing.

As you’ll read in these pages, there’s no better time to get involved in sport, though it remains a fiercely competitive world.

Whatever your interest, whether it’s a job in media, teaching, coaching, health and fitness etc, there are an increasing number of opportunities. The trick is to stand out from the crowd.

Hopefully, by reading this magazine, and those of you attending one of the Careers in Sport LIVE, you will find our tips and advice helpful. We’ve sought some of the best in their respective fields. From top broadcasters and journalists, to F1 sports scientists and more, these are people at the top of their game.

Take Gwyn Morris, the PE teacher who, along with his peers at Whitchurch High School, taught Gareth Bale and Sam Warburton – among others – in the same year.

“Somebody has to be Wales captain, why can’t it be you?” he tells his students. Similar, someone has to coach them, provide their nutrition plans and help keep them fit. Again, S ub sc ri be it could be you…

to ne xt is su e www.careers-in-sport. co.uk/magazine

“THESE ARE PEOPLE AT THE TOP OF THEIR GAME.” Harvey Grout

Account Director Harvey Grout (harvey@careers-in-sport.co.uk) Commercial director Geoff Durbin (geoff@careers-in-sport.co.uk) Editor Nick Judd (nick@enveemedia.co.uk) Design and production Sharon O’Connor Sub Editor William Hughes Contributors: Claire Bloomfield, Paul Carpenter, Jess Davies, Andy Greeves, Kevin Palmer

Business Development Director

Magazine produced by envee media Ltd for Careers in Sport.

Views expressed are not necessarily shared by envee media or Careers in Sport. All rights reserved.

Images: Adobestock, Alamy, FA, Getty Images, Shutterstock , Vectorstate, 123RF Magazine printed by Bishops Printers, Walton Road, Farlington, Portsmouth PO6 1TR

2016 GET INTO SPORT 3

CAREERS IN SPORT

. e v o L . e W

Photos: Ammentorp/123RF; Dglimages/123RF ; Natursports/123RF; Sam Bloxham/LAT Photographic

in sport, g in rk o w d n e m m co re We would definitely ord for it… w r u o ke ta st ju ’t n o d , but whatever your interest

“It’s great to see the product of your work on TV when each race comes around, and knowing that millions of people will be watching.

It’s also a good atmosphere when the team is successful.

I get to travel too. This year alone I’ve been to California, Bahrain and Spain. A lot of fun!”

David Harvey, sports scientist, McLaren Applied Technologies

“I LOVE SEEING PEOPLE DEVELOP AND BE PROUD OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS. I REALLY ENJOY ENGAGING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND HELPING THEM USE SPORT AS A TOOL FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.” Jamie Shepherd, sports coach

“Coaching boys and girls is all about football in its purest form.

Seeing how much children really love the game and their enthusiasm, passion and desire to learn more is so satisfying and takes me back to a more innocent time. Being able to have a positive impact on their lives fills me with so much pride.”

JAMIE BRADBURY, HEAD COACH, JBFC

“Every client is different and has different goals, and I really enjoy working with them all. From new mums looking to get back in shape and feel themselves again, to office workers wanting to switch off and take a break from the corporate rat race, I love being able to help others... and this job goes far deeper than people losing weight.”

Vicki Judd, personal trainer and fitness instructor

“I ALWAYS KNEW I WANTED TO WORK IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY, BUT NOT ON THE GROUND DELIVERING SESSIONS. MY JOB ALLOWS ME TO CONSIDER THE STRATEGIC SIDE OF FITNESS; WHAT INFLUENCES BRAND CHOICES, WHAT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AND WHY. KEEPING MY EYE ON CURRENT TRENDS MEANS I’M NEVER SHORT OF A CONVERSATION PIECE! EVERYTHING WE DO AT ACTION REQUIRES BOUNDLESS CREATIVITY AND ENERGY BUT EVERY DAY IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT, WHICH MEANS YOU NEVER GET BORED!” Cheryl Hersey, director, Action PR 4 GET INTO SPORT 2016

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Sport.

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THE RIGHT CAREER

“It’s always the idea of going to games and being paid that seems the most exciting element of football journalism, but often it’s not quite as glamorous as it can sound: freezing temperatures, pouring rain, a blank page, deadline looming and a soulless, goalless draw being ground out in front of your eyes. The fun bits are away from all that: meeting interesting people who do interesting things, telling fascinating stories,not just recording snippets of little histories in isolation but weaving them into a broader, grander story that stretches back years and lurches on forever.

Writing about football can be whatever you want it to be: a way to talk about all sorts of subjects, from the historical to the cultural, around something that people love.”

Rory Smith, chief soccer correspondent, New York Times

NATURE OF SPORT “I LIKE THE “THE IS SO UNPREDICTABLE NO TWO DAYS FACT THAT THAT AT WORK ARE EVER THE SAME, AND QUITE I AM OFTEN, WHAT YOU HAVING ACHIEVE ON ANY GIVEN ISN’T NECESSARILY AN IMPACT DAY WHAT YOU SET OUT TO THE START OF THE DAY. ON YOUNG AT I’M VERY FORTUNATE SPORT HAS TAKEN PEOPLE’S THAT ME TO PLACES AROUND LIVES.” THE WORLD, I COULDN’T Alan Inns, PE teacher

EVER IMAGINE BEING LUCKY ENOUGH TO VISIT DURING THE COURSE OF A ROLE IN ANOTHER INDUSTRY.”

Chris Rivett, managing director, Final Third Sports Media Limited

“I’VE INTERVIEWED LIONEL MESSI, SERGIO AGÜERO AND LUIS SUÁREZ, PLAYED AT ANFIELD, THE EMIRATES AND UPTON PARK AND GET TO TALK ABOUT FOOTBALL ALL DAY. AND I’M PAID TO DO IT. ENOUGH SAID.” Andy Murray, staff writer, FourFourTwo

“It is a rare privilege to interact with a world that most fans and lovers of the game only to get to glimpse from the stands or on television.

The opportunity to meet, interview and, in some cases, get to know some of the best cricketers on the planet is thrilling and inspiring.”

John Stern, editor of official match programmes for the England and Wales Cricket Board

“Sport can unite communities in a way not many other businesses can, which is a rather wonderful thing. And not only is every day different, I get to talk about sport 24/7 and work with like-minded people. In essence, we spend 60% of our lives at work, we might as spend it doing something we love.”

Emma Vetriano, marketing manager, Brentford FC www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

2016 GET INTO SPORT 5

RONALD KOEMAN

BLUE IS THE COLOUR

uthampton Former PSV Eindhoven and So vin Palmer Ke manager Ronald Koeman tells new heights he wants to take Everton to We’re halfway through the season.

Which teams have impressed you, and which team do you think will win the title?

It is still too early to say who will be the favourites, but I have been really impressed by Liverpool so far. Maybe that is not what you might expect the Everton manager to say, but they have been playing some very good football and deserve to be at the top. We have played Manchester City and Chelsea in the last few months and both were very impressive. We managed to draw at City, but you could see the quality of the team. Chelsea put in a very good performance against us. Manchester United have had some problems, but they have a new manager and they will improve in what is an unpredictable Premier League season.

Do you feel pressure as a manager?

In every job there is stress and being a Premier League manager is not the most stressful job compared to what some people do for their work. I have worked for a long time in football and understand what this game is all about. If you do not like dealing with the stress that comes with it, then you should get out of the game. I can sleep well at night, of course.

It is sometimes tiring, but we love the game and this is why I have been involved for so many years.

Do you think managers are given enough time these days?

Results are very important in this game and while we say there should be more patience, that is just not how this game works now. Long-term projects are no longer possible if you do not have success quickly. Even though most supporters appreciate a manager should have some time, others can put pressure on the owners and decision makers at clubs who hire and sack managers. When you have a result like we had against Chelsea, there will be criticism if you are at a big club like Everton, but you need to accept that and try to come back.

â–ź

Photos: Carl Recine REUTERS/Alamy Stock Photo; illu/123RF

Can Everton win a trophy this year?

It is a long time since Everton were winning trophies and challenging for the title in England, but that is what we want to do. This is a very big club and the aim is to be in the top positions again, challenging for the important places in the Premier League.

You feel the history of the club and the support of the fans but you need time to understand to see. There are a lot of new faces, it is a new management and that always takes time.

It is not only about this season, my contract is three years and that is what we like, to make the gap smaller than it is now. We are in a good way but we know we need to continue.

What is your overall ambition with Everton?

We all understand the targets this club has set out and the finance will be there to give the supporters something to be proud about in the years to come. My job and the job of the club is to make sure we make the right decisions that will help us to get to where we want to be. The support of the chairman and the owners is there for me and I need to make the most of this situation.

6 GET INTO SPORT 2016

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FOOTBALL

“I HAVE WORKED FOR A LONG TIME IN FOOTBALL AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS GAME IS ALL ABOUT. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE DEALING WITH THE STRESS THAT COMES WITH IT, THEN YOU SHOULD GET OUT OF THE GAME”

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2016 GET INTO SPORT 7

RONALD KOEMAN

THE FACTS

Clubs (player): Groningen, Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Feyenoord Clubs (manager): Vitesse Arnhem, Ajax, Benfica, PSV Eindhoven, Valencia, AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord, Southampton, Everton Honours: Eredivisie 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, KNVB Cup 1986, 1988, 1989, European Cup 1988, 1992 La Liga 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, Copa Del Rey 1990, Supercopa de Espana 1991, 1992, 1994, UEFA Super Cup 1992 International caps: Netherlands 78 International goals: 14

What would constitute a successful season for Everton?

This season it will be challenging for European football. We have introduced some new players and it takes time to find the right balance in the team. If we are competing for a place in the Europa League in my first season here, then that would be a good achievement. I think this is possible, but we can see a lot of teams with the same ambition as us in the Premier League and it will not be easy.

Some clubs have found the Europa League a burden. What’s your view?

I had the challenge of playing in the Europa League with Southampton last season and it was not the easiest competition to be involved with, as you have such a demanding schedule in the Premier League. Yet for Southampton, it was great just to be in the tournament, as they had not been in Europe for many years. Of course, there is a challenge to play on a Thursday and then to be ready for what is always a competitive Premier League game on Sunday, but you have to accept the schedule and be prepared for it. You need a squad that will be good to deal with this issue and that is all about the right preparation.

You’re one of few managers on Twitter. Why do you use it?

I like to have some interaction with the fans. You can ignore some messages that may be on there, but it is nice to get a message directly to supporters and I have no problem with social media.

People were surprised when you suggested Romelu Lukaku needed to leave Everton to reach his full potential…

I read some stories in the press about January, but no way, no way. Bayern Munich, Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona... he stays until at least the end of the season. We try to be prepared, always, because he will not play always [here]; he is a big striker and there will always come interest from bigger clubs than Everton, but I think the boy is 23 years old and he took the right decision to stay [in the summer].

He can improve, he needs to improve, and yes it is very difficult to get a replacement for a player who compares to Romelu - that is maybe impossible.

I was really happy [when he decided to stay] because I was a little bit afraid to lose him. @RonaldKoeman

Ronald Koeman is backing the Kick It With Help campaign to highlight the importance of using expert help in quitting smoking.

Check out the website at: www.quitwithhelp.ie

Photos: Matthew Childs REUTERS/Alamy Stock Photo; Oleksandr Prykhodko/123RF; illu/123RF

International honours: UEFA European Championship 1988

"H e ca n im pr ov e, he ne ed s to im pr ov e, an d ye s it is ve ry dif fic ult to ge t a re pla ce me nt for a pla ye r wh o co mp ar es to R om elu "

8 GET INTO SPORT 2016

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The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has over 160 years’ experience in offering sport, outdoor and health related courses.

The 2016 NSS results placed UWTSD the Joint Best in the UK for Overall Student Satisfaction in Sports Science.

Course listing: Sport and Exercise Science (Sports Nutrition) (Personal Training) (Outdoor Fitness) (Clinical Exercise Physiology) Sport Therapy Health, Nutrition and Lifestyle Public Health Sports Management Outdoor Adventure Education Physical Education

T U R N YO U R PA S S I O N F O R S P O R T I N T O A G R E AT C A R E E R

APPRENTICESHIPS

SPORTS ACADEMIES

PRIMARY TUTORS

SPORTS COACHES

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CONOR McNAMARA

MAN ON THE MIC Conor McNamara is a commentator for BBC Radio 5 Live and Match Of The Day, among others.

Here, he offers 12 tips to help you follow in his footsteps…

10 GET INTO SPORT 2016

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BROADCASTING

Go to sporting events on your own.

It’s hard to find opportunities in broadcasting, so do what you can to give yourself an advantage. Go to events with big atmospheres, and try and commentate on rubbish games… mix it up and practise recording your voice. Artists have a portfolio of work, and so should you. If you record yourself 100 times, I guarantee the 100th will be better than your tenth.

Be disciplined.

If a commentator needs to file a 30 or 40-second match report it can’t be 31 or 42 seconds long. It’s a very important skill to develop.

Practise interviewing sports people.

You will be nervous during your first interview, but it gets easier. Go to your local club and speak to the players, it’s extremely beneficial. I was very nervous during my first interviews.

I remember speaking to Graeme Souness and Kevin Keegan, big personalities, and I was awestruck.

There’s not much you can do about that, you’ve got to go through the process, but it helps if you’ve interviewed people before.

Learn, but also get experience.

I’m a big fan of education, and most of my peers have degrees, though not all of them specific to radio or television.

Do a degree in something that interests you. However, while you can get the best degree in the world, broadcasting skills are difficult to teach. Take your education as far as you can, so to postgraduate level if possible… but also practise a hell of a lot.

Preparation is everything.

If someone is talking on the radio and their intonation is high-pitched, or they seem to be unsure what they’re saying, they won’t convince anyone. Look at

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“Use LinkedIn... whatever you need.

Not everyone will be relevant to you, but you never know how the people you meet might come in handy one day"

watching for boot colours, and other distinctive features. But if there’s any doubt, simply describe it and the celebrations that follow, and give yourself time to analyse what happened.

Life skills are important.

Broadcasting is changing all the time.

Look at social media, for example. And stats… stats used to be scorned upon!

Access to players is changing, too. You used to fly with a team to an event, but that doesn’t happen as much anymore, and access is increasingly restricted.

This is why it’s important to be nice and courteous to people, because you might need their help one day. Keep people onside, you’re not bulletproof! Try and adapt to changes in order to progress.

Build your contacts.

Use LinkedIn… whatever you need. Not everyone will be relevant to you, but you never know how the people you meet might come in handy one day. Someone starting out could become a club press officer further down the line, and one day you might need their help. Meet everyone!

Jeremy Paxman, Jeremy Clarkson or Mark Kermode; they’re passionate and they know their stuff. Nobody knows everything to begin with, but you can do a lot to learn all the permutations of your subject matter. The work you put in will benefit you in the end.

Sport can be unpredictable, but not to the same degree as news.

With news, you never really know what’s going to happen. In contrast, in sport, you know the time, the place, the personnel… you might not be able to write a script beforehand, but you can give yourself reference points. When incidents occur, you need to be aware of the consequences and have a universal 360-degree view. This will dictate how you react at the time.

If you don’t know something for sure, don’t commit.

I read something recently that said football commentating is a hard job. It is!

You have no script and you have to make decisions as quickly as the referee, and then offer your opinion. A good example is when a goal goes in and you’re not sure who scored. It might have come from a cross, with four or five players jumping for the ball. On occasions like that, I’m not watching the ball; I’m

Treat your sources carefully.

You might meet a manager in the tunnel before the game, and he might share some information with you, off the record. Treat it with the respect you were given it. If you use it, you might not get given info like that again.

Be open to ideas.

Access routes vary in radio and television. I met a guy recently who wanted to work in music and he got offered an opportunity in news. He rejected it. I would recommend taking whatever you’re given. It’s much easier to manoeuvre around the industry from the inside. Don’t specify too early in case you restrict your chances of landing that first job. @ConorMcNamaraIE @conormcnamara

BBC TEAM UP FOR THE CUP

Conor is part of the FA Cup commentary team on Radio 5 Live.

The FA Cup 3rd (6-8 January) and 4th rounds (27-29 January) are live across the BBC on TV, radio and online.

2016 GET INTO SPORT 11

Photo: BBC Pictures /Andrew Hayes-Watkins

Use technology to practise your commentating skills.

Phones and tablets give you audio and visual means of recording yourself.

Use them, play it back and listen.

It’s now easier than ever to practise.

I started commentating on my own aged around 12-14. It helped get me used to talking for long periods from a young age, and enabled me to breath at the right time, as well as some other useful skills. Set yourself challenges. Chat for four minutes without a script and record it. Talk comfortably. Speak fluently.

JAMIE McPHILIMEY

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Jamie McPhilimey is the founder of jmc-photography, and is a professional photographer with over 20 years of experience. After starting out in sports photography, he is now an award-winning photographer who continues to work for a range of leading national newspapers and magazines.

Sports photography has enabled Jamie to develop his own unique style in other parts of the business that are contemporary, exciting and cutting edge.

In the portrait photography side of his business, Jamie has been dedicated to capturing stunning photographic images of babies, children, families and even pets. He believes that the outside world is the best studio nature can offer.

@JMCPhotographer www.jmc-photography.com Tel: 07768905722 info@jmc-photography.com

HELEN GLOVER & HEATHER STANDING, LONDON 2012 “I like this picture mainly because of the background. London 2012 was a great time to be a sports photographer, as you don’t often get the chance to be involved at such a huge event on home soil. The expected gold rush didn’t happen straight away. Even by days three and four there were still no golds for Team GB. Thankfully, the rowing girls didn’t let us down and from there, the team went from strength to strength.”

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PHOTOGRAPHY ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC, COMMUNITY SHIELD 2016 “There was a lot of hype surrounding this game following the arrivals of Jose Mourinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, two people who have won almost everything in every league they've been in.

This was a tight game heading to extra-time… until Zlatan popped up to score a dramatic late winner.”

ANDY MURRAY, WIMBLEDON 2014 “Covering Wimbledon is always great but can mean very long days, which can be hard over two weeks. Andy always seems to play his matches third on centre court because it is the best time for the BBC's viewing figures, which means a long wait for me! And because I work for The Sun, Andy is always going to be the main picture and story.

As he plays late in the day, the sun is normally going down, which can create some really nice backlit images with dark and cleaner backgrounds. It’s always nice to get a different picture than a normal forehand/backhand, so a lunge for the ball, nicely lit, is always a result.”

S n a p CHAT

n. way of getting closer to the actio e on is er ph gra oto ph s ort sp a Being reveals his favourite images… ey ilim Ph Mc ie Jam r pe ap sn ing Here, award-winn

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2016 GET INTO SPORT 13

JAMIE McPHILIMEY PARALYMPIC CYCLING, RIO 2016 “I was out in Brazil covering the Paralympics for the British team, and was at the velodrome at the Olympic Park waiting for a race in which the British Team were expected to do well. While I was waiting, I was amazed at how great the athletes were, and I wanted to show the speed at which they were travelling. The best way to do this would be a panning shot, where the background has movement but the cyclist’s head is sharp.

The Cyclist had only one leg and one arm… amazing.”

MA’A NONU, RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL 2015 “I was covering the Rugby World Cup for The Sun and after the disappointment of England going out in the group stages, I had the chance to cover the best matches that followed. New Zealand were by far the best team, so it was only right that they won the tournament. This picture was taken in the final. Before the game, you are asked where you would like to sit. I always prefer to sit head on and in the corner, as these are the best angles for when a player dives over the line.

However, you have to be lucky, as there is only a one-in-four chance of sitting in the right place. Thankfully, on this occasion, I did!”

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PHOTOGRAPHY

ANDY MURRAY, WIMBLEDON 2016 “This was taken in Andy’s semi-final against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. It was a very tight match and this moment came at the end of a particularly long rally, which Andy won. He let out a big scream and punched the air, which is a bit different from his normal celebrations. A nice change.”

LONDON 2012 OPENING CEREMONY “The 2012 Olympics in London were the pinnacle of my career and being in the stadium that night was a real highlight. The atmosphere was electric and you could feel it all day in the build-up; sometimes while working you can still enjoy the day as a fan of sport. I was halfway up the stand on the corner, in line with the 100m straight, so I had a perfect view of the main show, which was great.

Fireworks are always spectacular but always tricky to shoot, so I was really happy with this picture.”

Photos: jmc-photography.com

GARETH SOUTHGATE, ENGLAND V MALTA 2016 “I t was the first game following the scandal surrounding Sam Allardyce, which made a routine match even more pertinent.

I normally like to sit behind the goal when I cover football matches and I was all set to do so on the morning of this game, but I got a call from the sports desk asking if I could just shoot Gareth Southgate to get some reaction.

Gareth is not the most animated of characters, so I wasn’t expecting to get great pictures, yet when England scored the first goal he got up and did a big fist-pump, which was very unexpected. It did the job!”

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2016 GET INTO SPORT 15

CAREERS IN SPORT

123RF Photos: Macor; Wavebreak Media Ltd; Natursports; Jakkrit Orrasri

HOLD THE BACK PAGE

Three female journalists – Harriet Drudge (FourFourTwo), Ebony-Jewel Rainford-Brent (BBC) and Gemma Thompson (Manchester United)explain what it’s like working in sports journalism

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JOURNALISM

r re vo lve d ar oun d "E ve ry th ing I did as a yo un gs te ch es te r Un ite d" pla yin g sp ort an d wa tc hin g M an

Yes to always wanting to work in sport. No to always wanting to working in sports journalism because I wasn’t always aware it was an option.

I’ve loved sport for as long as I can remember, so I knew I wanted to make it into a career in some way. I remember saying when I was about ten that I wanted to be a PE teacher. With hindsight, I realise the main reason was because it was the only job relating to sport I had witnessed up close and personal. It wasn’t until I started studying business at GCSE that I realised going into sport media - or the business arm of a football club was an option.

HD

I have always been in love with sport. Being the last of four children, and having three older brothers, set me up for the path in sport. Moving into broadcasting came as a mixture of luck and opportunity. At the end of a long playing career, nearly 20 years, I got offered the opportunity in radio, and I have never looked back.

ER

I got a PR and Comms internship at the Football Foundation, the perfect placement for me. It enabled me to get an insight into public relations and communications in football whilst also having the opportunity to write for publications like fc business, Shoot! and the Non-League Paper.

When my internship came to end in July 2013, I had a couple of months to spare before heading back to university for my final year. A lot of my friends went on holiday but I used the time to gain more experience in sports writing, securing work experience at the Daily Mirror, the Non-League Paper and my local paper on the Isle of Wight.

When I got offered my first opportunity I had very little broadcasting experience. One of the first things I did was to get in touch with experienced broadcasters, such as Alison Mitchell, who has made an impact in the world of radio and cricket.

I have learned a lot from her and other broadcasters in this space, and have had to learn on the job which at times has been daunting, but has been very hands-on. Luckily, that suits my ER

personality. I was also lucky to be supported by the producers who have offered feedback and advice at every step.

I won a writing competition in the official United magazine when I was 14, which involved me going in for work experience. It gave me a little advantage as the editorial team gave me bits of writing to do as well as the usual work experience jobs, like packing competition prizes, sorting through photographs. Every weekend I would write a match report and fax it (yes, fax!) to them so they had it on a Monday morning if they needed it, and now and again some would get printed.

It was all about getting as much of your work printed as possible. I kept going in for a few days here and there when I could and spent 2.5 years helping out at MUTV whilst studying my English and Journalism degree at Salford University between 2000 and 2003. I’d also picked up regular freelance work for Shoot magazine, FourFourTwo and a national GT

▼

Did you always want to work in sport, and particularly sports journalism?

I was captain of all our sports teams at school - netball, hockey, tennis, rounders and I always loved playing football too. Basically everything I did as a youngster revolved around playing sport and watching Manchester United. From about seven years old I wanted to be a sports journalist for United... dreams can come true off the pitch as well as on it!

GT

How did you go about it: what qualifications/experience did you get?

I considered doing a sports journalism degree but came to the conclusion that it would probably be a better idea for me to do something a little less ‘niche’, something that would provide me with a broader skill set should I one day decide that sports journalism wasn't for me. So I opted for Business Management at the University of Surrey, always with a plan to do sports journalism - specifically football journalism - as a hobby during my time at university. I was Sports Editor of a university publication (later Editor-in-Chief), an occasional co-host on university radio, and I volunteered for a football podcast in my spare time.

HD

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"I opted for Business Management at the University of Surrey, always with a plan to do sports journalism" 2016 GET INTO SPORT 17

CAREERS IN SPORT

"R ad io is all ab out br ing ing e" st ori es an d th e sit ua tio n to lif

18 GET INTO SPORT 2016

I love sport because you never know what the result will be, whether it is watching a team who go on an unbelievable run, or an underdog being successful. Sport is such a level playing field and because of that, it brings out the emotions consistently.

What would you look for if you were recruiting someone?

Do you feel there are more opportunities for women in the industry?

Relevant experience, a portfolio of examples of work and most importantly... passion.

HD

Know your sport! I would look for someone who is aware of what is going on in their industry, which is important... always do your research!

I would look for playing experience (not at a high level), as it helps to understand the sport and convey the experience of the player.

Radio is all about bringing stories and the situation to life, and someone who can bring that to the table, and who is able to articulate their point, story or message – will be successful.

ER

Photos: Mihail Dechev/123RF; Christian Bertrand/Shutterstock.com; Mitch Gunn/Shutterstock.com; Salajean/123RF

“MY ENTHUSIASM, PASSION AND DEDICATION TO LEARN FROM MISTAKES HELPED ME GET TO WHERE I AM TODAY”

sports paper called Sport First. They allowed me to be their correspondent in the north west, meaning I was able to attend Sir Alex Ferguson’s press conference every week with the Sunday papers, which provided both invaluable experience about both the job and the club, as well as an opportunity to build key relationships with people high up in the industry and at the club. Then when I graduated the guy who had worked on the United magazine when I first went in, was now the editor of ManUtd.com - he mentioned a role that had come up in October 2003 and over 13 years later I am still here.

Experience and people skills are GT the big thing for me. Qualifications are important of course, but give me someone who can write of course, but is a good networker and communicator every time.

What’s the best thing about working in sport?

Making a career out of your hobby HD is an incredible feeling; I wake up every morning excited about going to work, and spending every day with people just as passionate about sport as you are is awesome. Getting to go to games and behind the scenes of the interviews we do at FourFourTwo is also pretty special. I’m very lucky!

ER

Nothing else gives you the most amazing highs that you can experience from a personal and professional perspective than sport.

Being able to interview athletes at the top of their profession, cover cup finals and some of the biggest games there will ever be, as well as travel makes it the best industry to be involved in.

GT

I think there are certainly more opportunities for women in the industry than there used to be thanks to positive role models and pioneers like Jacqui Oatley, but that’s not to say there aren’t still challenges and barriers.

HD

The landscape has completely changed. In the industry of cricket, Alison Mitchell was the first real female to break into the space. She has created such a pathway for many of us to come through. Now it is very normal for women to be part of the team, which it wouldn’t have been five or ten years ago.

ER

GT

There are more and more nowadays, which is great to see.

As a woman, do you think it’s harder to make it in the sports media industry?

Without a doubt. Knowledge and passion is immediately assumed on the part of men in the industry but quite often questioned if you’re female. The landscape is getting better thanks to organisations like Women in Football, Women in Sport and the Women's Sport Trust - stereotypes are being confronted, women’s input celebrated, pathways opened and horizons broadened for young females wanting to break into what is an incredibly competitive field.

HD

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JOURNALISM

I have been lucky to get an opportunity after playing and there is no doubt it is a male-dominated environment. However, I do really believe if a female has the capability and the persistence then being successful is very possible.

ER

Not necessarily. It depends how determined you are as a person and what your networking skills are like.

I wanted to be a sports journalist for Manchester United and nothing was going to stop me until I achieved that.

In my book, if you want to achieve something, anything is possible, it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female.

GT

If you had one tip you could give to anyone looking to follow your path…

Be persistent, because you'll undoubtedly experience knockbacks - I did. There were moments when I thought I just wasn't cut out for it because I’d missed out on a particular job, but my enthusiasm, passion and dedication to learn from mistakes helped me get to where I am today. It’s your career - work hard from the start to make it what you want it to be.

HD

Network, network, network! The world is a very small place and the more people you know and they know you and your work will have a big impact on your career going forward.

ER

"The landscape is getting better thanks to organisations like Women in Football, Women in Sport and the Women's Sport Trust - stereotypes are being confronted"

“NOTHING ELSE GIVES YOU THE MOST AMAZING HIGHS THAT YOU CAN EXPERIENCE FROM A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE THAN SPORT”

Talk to as many people as you can in the industry, make as many contacts as possible, listen to the experienced people you meet and always believe in yourself.

GT

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2016 GET INTO SPORT 19

GARETH LONG

1

DECIDE ON A PURPOSE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gareth is an experienced educationalist, coach, and coach educator. Having qualified from the University of Warwick, Gareth taught physical education in a number of schools before becoming a Senior Lecturer in Coach and Physical Education at the University of St Mark & St John. He then worked for the Football Association as the PE & Coaching in Education Coordinator for the South West of England, and he now works at the Australian College of Physical Education at the Sydney Olympic Park.

Gareth holds a UEFA ‘B’ Licence and a FFA / AFC ‘B’ Coaching Certificate in Football, and also an MSC in Coaching from Loughborough University.

Gareth has coached football with a wide range of ages and environments, including grassroots football and the professional game.

He has co-authored several books such as Improving Teaching and Learning in Physical Education and 101 Classroom Games as well as a series of soccer coaching books with Darren Laver (International Street Soccer Association).

In January 2017, Gareth will launch the Australian Street Soccer Association, Street Soccer Camps, in Sydney.

It’s always tempting to grab a game off the internet or copy one that you like as a player and include it in your coaching session. However, what is probably more important is that you first consider what you want your players to improve.

Is it a technical aspect of your sport, such as going past an opposition player in a 1v1 situation? Is it a tactical aspect, a psychological aspect or a social aspect? It’s fine to combine these, but don’t have too many or the key messages may get lost.

2

MAKE IT RELEVANT

Your small-sided game (SSG) must have relevance to the sport the kids play. It is important to remember that kids will most likely play a modified version of the sport that is played by elite players on TV! A key question to consider is; in my SSG, will kids face decisions, skills, and situations that they face in a normal game? If in doubt, keep it simple. For example, in football, if your SSG has a goal to attack and a goal to defend, players will face decisions relating to being in-possession, out of possession and when possession changes.

3

MAKE IT SPECIFIC TO KIDS

Remember that kids are not mini adults. Some obvious things to consider are appropriate pitch sizes, the size of the equipment used and the number of players on the pitch.

However, other considerations to incorporate into your SSG may be; can I adapt the language and terminology of my sport? How can I use scoring and points to keep the kids motivated? And what do my players like outside of football (for example, video games, movies, toys)?

“JUST PLAY. HAVE FUN. ENJOY THE GAME” Michael Jordan

20 GET INTO SPORT 2016

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COACHING

PROGRESS AND PERSONALISE THE GAME

CONSIDER TEAM SELECTION

A simple way of progressing your SSG is to ask yourself how you can make it easier, or more challenging. That way you can adapt the game for individual players, one team, or both teams if they need to be challenged or supported.

Sometimes players can become demotivated if their team are winning easily or if they are getting hammered. As a coach, you may also think your team will be better if they are challenged and get used to playing with and against different team mates. Try random ways such those born in the first half of the month against those born in the second. Short, sharp games where teams change from game to game should keep motivation levels high.

6

GET KIDS TO TALK ABOUT PROBLEMS… AND HOW TO SOLVE THEM

Former World Cup winner and Real Madrid coach Jorge Valdano summed it up well when he said: ‘Who do you think is better at thinking, processing information and making decisions? The brain of one manager? Or the brains of 11 footballers on the pitch, striving towards a common goal?’ You might consider, for example, giving players time to plan and discuss strategies and tactics; using ‘time-outs’ when appropriate to allow players to evaluate; allow players time to get used to the rules and constraints of your SSG and to solve problems themselves.

7

DELIVER COACHING POINTS IN DIFFERENT WAYS

Most kids don’t like it when a coach stops their game to point out a mistake. However, coaches do need to help a player’s understanding.

Perhaps it may be better at times to be on the pitch when the SSG is going on around you so you can quickly speak to an individual player without needing to stop everyone else.

Also, rather than it always be you ‘telling’, try involving the players in giving each other feedback and assessing themselves, and each other.

▼

5

4

s y a W 10

HING TO IMPROVE YOUR COAonC, @S occerIQ, Physical Educati Gareth Long, Australian College of kids’ coaching sessions reveals how you can upgrade your

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2016 GET INTO SPORT 21

Photos: Lev Radin/Shutterstock.com

I

f you train kids and you’re looking to improve your sessions, then you could do far worse than design a series of really good small-sided games. Consider what kids would rather do: stand in a line waiting their turn to practise a skill, or play a game?

Then consider how many more touches on the ball kids get in a small-sided game, how many decisions they make, and how many more chances they get to score! So, if you’re simply using games as a ‘treat’ at the end of the session, you may want to consider these ten tips...

GARETH LONG

Zinedine Zidane

8

HAND OWNERSHIP TO THE PLAYERS

It’s the kids’ games, so it seems a good idea to involve them in some of the decisions made.

Consider how you can allow and encourage players to make choices and suggest changes to the SSG. Also, how can you allow and encourage players to try things, take risks and to make mistakes? Can they have a say in the format of the game, how points are scored and the shape/size of the pitch?

GAME NAME: HALF TIME SET UP & EQUIPMENT Set up multiple pitches suitable for small sided games (e.g. 1v1 - 3v3) Two teams (e.g. Reds (Liverpool) v Yellows (Arsenal) Match ball for each pitch Cones to mark the ‘half-time scores’ behind the goals HOW IT WORKS The scenario is that it is half-time on each pitch and the challenge is for the teams to win as many games as they can in the second half (a first half has not actually taken place!).

The half-time scores are shown by the cones behind the goals. So for example, the half-time score on the top pitch is yellows 3-1 reds (shown by the cones behind the goals), and it is 1-1 on the bottom pitch.

DECISIONS & PROBLEMS Teams have to decide how many players and which players they are going to send to each pitch to compete the second half (which will start at the score line shown by the cones).

Have a time-out half way through the second half where the teams can evaluate how well their plan is going and adapt it.

22 GET INTO SPORT 2016

The second halves start at the same time and on the final whistle points are allocated as; 1 point for a draw when it was level at half-time.

2 points for a win when you were winning at half-time.

3 points for a win if it was a draw at half-time.

3 points for a draw if you were losing at half-time.

5 points for a win if you were losing at half-time.

9

USE PRAISE

Praise is important to help motivate players and to help them learn. However, there is perhaps a danger of praise becoming meaningless if too frequent and/or it is not earned. So think what is it you want to praise (for example, effort, good ideas, trying stuff, skill, sportsmanship, being a good team-mate…) and link it back to the purpose of the SSG. Also think about when to praise and how to praise. For example, privately after the SSG, a thumbs up straight away, asking the player to demonstrate what they did to their teammates.

10

REFLECT ON THE GAME… AND YOUR COACHING

Always think: ‘how can I make this game better next time?’, and ‘how can I be better next time to help the kids improve even more?’

Gareth Long @SoccerIQ • Nov 2

Game Name: Half Time Players have to discuss and agree a team strategy to work as a team and win the competition. More points are on offer for coming back from losing at half time!

Do reds or yellows get the most points?

Reset the teams, re-evaluate tactics and strategy and play again!

OPTIONS, PROGRESSIONS AND VARIATIONS Let the teams decide where they place their six ‘first half goal cones’.

Have a floating player(s) on each team that can change pitches depending on their team’s score line.

GKs can defend any of their team’s goals. @SoccerIQ E: Garethglong@acpe.edu.au

Gareth Long @SoccerIQ • Nov 2

"Great players make the right decisions in the game

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Photos: Marcos Mesa Sam Wordley/Shutterstock.com

“EVERYTHING I HAVE ACHIEVED IN FOOTBALL IS DUE TO PLAYING FOOTBALL IN THE STREETS WITH MY FRIENDS”

GO EVEN FURTHER! WE OFFER A VARIETY OF DEGREES IN SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE, SPORT COACHING SCIENCE AND SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY.

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For more information, visit our website: www.canterbury.ac.uk/ses or email us at: SES.admin@canterbury.ac.uk

ADVERTORIAL

Training DAYS ma s Ac tiv e IQ un ve ils Le ve l 3 Di plo h, in Pe rs on al Tr ain ing for He alt Fit ne ss an d Pe rf orm an ce

If you want to offer a truly vocational course designed to prepare your students to work in the leisure and fitness industry, or progress to higher education, then look no further.

The new Active IQ Level 3 Diplomas in Personal Training for Health, Fitness and Performance have been designed to enable FE Colleges to deliver an innovative programme. This combines comprehensive theoretical knowledge with practical experience to prepare school leavers to work in the leisure and fitness industry, or progress to degree courses.

The Active IQ Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma are supported by two of the industry’s leading professional bodies – the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and ukactive.

Combining college study and work experience with local employers, the qualifications ensure that students will enjoy full educational support and group teaching alongside time in the gym working with fitness professionals.

There are two variations available: l The Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training for Health, Fitness and Performance is a smaller

qualification that can be combined with other Tech Level, Applied General and/or A-Level qualifications. l The Active IQ Level 3 Extended Diploma in Personal Training for Health, Fitness and Performance is a full-time course. It includes additional modules to equip students with vocational skills alongside the research skills required for academic study. This enables them to access higher education degree programmes.

Both aim to provide students with a broad base of knowledge and skills to be able to work in a variety of customer-facing roles within the active leisure industry, including fitness instructing and personal training, as well as being able to access higher education degree programmes.

Who could do this qualification?

Students must be 16+ years old and have basic skills in communication, including talking, presenting, reading and writing.

A level of physical fitness is also necessary. On achieving the qualification, students will be capable of progressing to work as a fitness instructor, personal trainer or activity professional in the active leisure industry.

What will they study?

Study areas include exercise and fitness

ADVANCED STUDY OPTIONS The qualification is designed to offer entry to employment. However, it also provides the perfect platform for students to progress to the following qualifications and/or apprenticeship frameworks: l Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral l Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Personal Training l Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Instructing Pilates Mat Work

24 GET INTO SPORT 2016

l Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in

Teaching Yoga l Level 3 Diploma in Sports

Massage Therapy l Advanced Apprenticeship in

Exercise and Fitness Alternatively, students can progress to higher education degree programmes; the qualifications have been nominated for inclusion in the UCAS Tariff For Higher Education for entry from 2018.

knowledge, planning and instructing gym sessions, planning and instructing personal training, nutrition, technology in sport and exercise, entrepreneurship, marketing, customer service and managing personal and professional development.

Students will learn how to: l Develop their understanding of anatomy, physiology and nutrition, and how it relates to exercise and fitness. l Plan and instruct safe and effective exercise and physical activity sessions. l Deliver safe and effective personal training sessions. l Deliver exceptional customer service. l Manage own personal and professional development. l Develop enterprise skills. l Market and sell products and services. www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

WHAT IS ACTIVE IQ?

We are the UK’s leading Ofqualrecognised awarding organisation for the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector.

We have over 550 approved centres across the UK and over 100 innovative and dynamic accredited qualifications in a variety of disciplines, from Entry Level to Level 5.

l

Understand how technology is used within physical activity, fitness, sport and exercise.

Employer engagement A mandatory requirement is that students have access to meaningful employer engagement, such as structured work experience or work placements. This develops skills and knowledge relevant to the qualification, and enables students to manage projects set with input from industry practitioners and attend master classes.

Employer engagement shows a clear line of sight to work, enriches learning and raises qualification credibility.

To find out more and discuss your particular requirements, please visit www.Activeiq.co.uk, call 0845 688 1278, or email businessdevelopment@ activeiq.co.uk.

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2016 GET INTO SPORT 25

123RF Photos: Rui Santos; Wavebreakmedia

CAREERS IN SPORT

TURN YOUR HOBBY INTO A CAREER

d fitness, why not work as a PT? If you have a passion for health an instructor qualification and gain a s es fitn a e let mp co to ed ne u’ll Yo re are five ways to do just that… personal trainer qualification. He

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PERSONAL TRAINING

FULL-TIME

COLLEGE

To find a college offering the Diploma in Personal Training for Health, Fitness and Performance, please visit www.activeiq.co.uk/students

APPRENTICESHIP

A personal training apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with study (usually one day per week) and typically lasts 12 months. You’ll work full-time for a gym, leisure centre or health club, shadowing those performing the role you’re preparing for, taking on more responsibility as you become more experienced. You’ll also earn while you learn; the minimum wage for apprentices aged 16-18 is £3.40 per hour.

“At Everyone Active we are always searching for enthusiastic and energetic 16-24 year olds, with a keen interest in fitness, to join our apprenticeship scheme,” says Mark Tally, Group Fitness Manager. Everyone Active have taken on 1,000 apprentices in the past four years across their 140 sites nationwide. “With our personal trainer

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apprenticeships, we are looking for dedicated young people with friendly and hard-working attitudes who are willing to work as part of the Everyone Active fitness team in a positive and supportive environment."

For more information on apprenticeships, and to search for apprenticeships near you, visit www.getingofar.gov.uk. To apply for an apprenticeship with Everyone Active visit www.everyoneactive.com

UNIVERSITY

Some university degrees are recognised by REPs, with the units of the PT course embedded into the degree. You’ll complete the assessments associated with the PT qualification as part of your university coursework and exams. Other universities offer the PT course as part of an additional CPD programme.

“The job market for university graduates is very competitive, so having a PT qualification in addition to a degree can give students the edge in finding employment,” explains Thompson. “The PT courses we offer at universities are very popular, with many students working as a PT on a part-time basis whilst they finish their degree. Working in a field related to their studies allows them to put the concepts from lectures into practice straight away, benefiting their studies and their part-time work.”

PART-TIME STUDY

This will involve independent study, completed using e-learning or a workbook, or a combination of the two. This is usually combined with attendance days for additional tuition and the completion of any theory and practical assessments.

It will take longer to gain the qualification than the full-time option, but gives you the flexibility to fit study around your existing commitments and allows you to progress at your own pace.

As you receive less face-to-face tuition than the full-time approach, part-time study is a little cheaper.

Some centres offer more than one part-time option, involving a sliding scale of independent study. If you opt to do more independent study and less face-to-face tuition, the price is typically reduced. Factor in the amount of face-to-face tuition and support versus price when comparing different courses.

The part-time approach is not for everyone; before committing you need to be confident you have the discipline to study independently.

To search for universities that offer personal training as part of a degree course please visit www.ucas.com.

For Sideways8 university courses visit www.sideways8.co.uk

Photos: Lev Radin/Shutterstock.com

Many colleges now offer the Active IQ Diploma in Personal Training for Health, Fitness and Performance.

This two-year, full-time course is designed to provide a direct pathway to employment within the health and fitness industry.

The course also carries UCAS points, enabling students to keep their options open and progress into work or take a university pathway at the end of their studies.

“Students study the gym instructor qualification in year one, and the PT qualification in year two,” says Kristoph Thompson, Sideways8 Training, who delivers the course in partnership with Sussex Downs College in Eastbourne.

“Students also complete units in areas such as employability skills, as well as gaining certifications such as suspension training, circuits and group cycling. The combination of skills, qualifications and work experience is excellent preparation for working within the fitness industry.”

Full-time study is perfect for those wanting to start work as a PT in the shortest possible time. This option typically takes around six weeks to complete and will involve attending lessons five days a week, eight hours a day. You’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in your studies.

This is perhaps the most expensive option, with the cost anything upward of £2,000. In addition to the cost, you should also factor in the cost of any travel to and from the training venue, and potentially any overnight accommodation.

Any centre delivering the course needs to be accredited by an awarding organisation such as Active IQ or YMCA Awards. You can search for your nearest centre on both of their websites.

2016 GET INTO SPORT 27

Shutterstock.com Photos: Featureflash Photo Agency; Radu Razvan; wantanddo

SIR BRADLEY WIGGINS

“AS A BOY MY DREAM WAS TO WEAR THE YELLOW JERSEY IN THE TOUR DE FRANCE AND WIN AN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL” lot. Here, the Tour e th n wo s ha s in gg Wi y le ad Sir Br on talks about pi am ch c pi ym Ol i lt mu d an de France aire Bloomfield Cl th wi , cy ga le g in cl cy s hi

28 GET INTO SPORT 2016

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CYCLING

Si r Br ad ley Wi gg ins wa nt s to ins pir e th e ne xt ge ne ra tio n

You’ve played a significant part in encouraging British people to get on their bikes and take up cycling. How does that make you feel?

Cycling is a great sport for so many reasons and along with others like Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Laura Trott and so on I’m just really proud that we have played a part in getting everyone on their bikes. You have people coming up to you saying things like, “You’ve changed my life, I’ve lost four stone and have never felt better!”

That’s pretty special.

When you look back at your career, what are your favourite moments?

I have been lucky to experience some great moments on the bike both on the road and track. As a boy my dream was to wear the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France and win an Olympic Gold medal.

With the history of the Tour de France I was so proud to wear the Yellow Jersey, but I’ll always come back to the Olympics, and especially the London Games. I’m not sure it will ever get better than representing your country in a home Games and winning gold riding the roads I used to train on as a lad.

What sort of training do you do away from the bike?

For the Team Pursuit, an event which takes around 3:50s, it is a mix between endurance and power. So you spend a lot of time in the gym gaining that power – we all came to know the squat rack very well.

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Can you tell us about some of your favourite cycling routes around Europe?

I love to ride in Majorca, it is where I do a lot of my training camps and have prepared for big events such as the Tour de France or the Hour record in Majorca.

When I can tie it in with the kids’ school holidays it is great, I’ll go and put my hours in on the road and then join them on the beach. Elsewhere, in Northern France and Belgium, you have the historic but brutal rides such as ParisRoubaix. The weather is rarely very good, but there’s a joy to cycling those roads in those conditions as well. You have Alps as well and the routes we ride for the Tour and the Giro. They're so tough, but you’re rewarded with beautiful scenery.

Where do you like to ride for pleasure? Do you enjoy riding with family?

I ride with my family every week. We’ll go out together on the roads, or we’ll ride in the velodrome in the family sessions they have there. There’s always a pleasure when I’m on my bike, even when it's tough or I can’t quite settle in the saddle. It’s just great to be out there and enjoying the freedom.

Why do you think it is important for you to take young riders/apprentices under your wing?

We created Team Wiggins initially to help with the Olympic effort, but also to create a strong platform for young riders to kick on, and it’s their success which has been at the heart of the team so far. People like Chris Boardman were hugely inspiring to me and helped me a great deal when I was younger. So I guess it is a way of giving back to the sport, nobody can do it on their own.

We don’t make it a formal thing, I’m just there riding and racing alongside them and working together. If they can learn from me and I can help in anyway then that’s great.

Beyond the Wiggins Team, I’ve launched a range of kids’ bikes with Halfords as well, which I’ve been excited about. It isn’t just about the elite cyclists, whether kids are racing or just going around their mate’s house, cycling is for everyone and our range reflects that.

It’s for girls and boys of all ages and all abilities to get out there and have fun.

Who did you look up to as a youngster? Who were your inspirations?

Unlike the other kids who had footballers on their walls, mine were covered with cyclists like Eddy Merckx and Miguel Indurain. They’re still heroes of mine now. Miguel came to watch my Hour Record attempt. I met him almost immediately after I broke the record and felt like an 11-year-old boy again. I am still totally in awe of him.

@ OfficialWIGGINS @ bradwiggins

2016 GET INTO SPORT 29

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CYCLING

BE INSPIRED:

2m 97%

In the UK, roughly two million people cycle every, or nearly every day.

More than two million people in the UK cycle once a week.

I’ve never really cycled before.

Where do I start?

Beginners are spoilt for choice when it comes to programmes available.

Available across the country, British Cycling’s ‘Go-Ride’ clubs are a great starting point if you want to learn with others, whilst

a mountain bike with strong suspension, powerful brakes and tough tyres.

Is it expensive?

Does it matter what I wear?

Kitting yourself out with the proper gear, including a decent bike, may be a little pricey, but once you’ve got the stuff it should last.

Don’t be tempted to buy expensive extras. By keeping your body and your bike in good nick, you shouldn’t be spending too much on top.

Does it matter what bike I get?

The best bike for you will depend on what you’ll be doing with it. If you plan to join a cycling club and stick manly to tarmac, choose a road bike; its lightweight frame and skinny tyres will match your needs perfectly. If multi-terrain cycling is your thing, go for

Firstly, stay clear of cotton; if it gets wet, it stays wet and then starts to rub ouch. Stick to synthetics and lycra based outfits.

Is it difficult to master?

Once you’ve got the hang of the basics, you’ll start to see improvements quickly. From the start, it’s important to have your bike form-fitted to your body. Make proper use of the gears, learn basic bike-handling and join a cycling club; riding with others will help you develop your own ability.

35 The UK cyclists have a 97 per cent chance of staying dry on their way to work.

5

The longest tandem bike had 35 seats and measured around 67 feet long.

Cycling burns on average five calories a minute.

During the Rio Olympics, track cyclist Jason Kenny was the most successful Brit, taking home a total of six medals.

3.3

The largest rideable bike has a wheel diameter of 3.3 metres.

30 GET INTO SPORT 2016

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Photos: I am way/Shutterstock.com ; Maria Moskvitsova/123RF

British cycling is pretty massive. We’ve even laid down dedicated ‘cycle lanes’ across the country, for all those that choose to pedal their way from place to place. So why do so many of us choose to take it up as a sport?

Bikeability’s training scheme offers official recognition for cycle skills.

Bristol Academy of Sport and the School of Sport Do you have a passion for Sport and you want to pursue your aspiration of a career in this fulfilling industry? SGS College provides you with the opportunity to undertake academic studies, with the chance to develop your sporting talent within Bristol Academy of Sport. Along with degrees we also offer Sports Academies for the under 19 elite sports person.

BSc Sports Coaching 2 year fast-track You will gain invaluable experience from working with our Level 3 students There are opportunities to apply for bespoke intern positions within the Bristol Academy of Sport.

FdSc Physical Education and Fitness* FdSc Football Coaching On completion of these foundation degree, you will have the option of doing a 1 or 2 year top up to complete the full BSc (Hons).

Futsall Academy Football Academy Male 11 a-side Football Academy Womens 11 a-side Football Academy New for 2018 - Male and Female Rugby Academies Study for your degree while playing at an elite level.

Facilities include: • Eight-lane Olympic standard running track • FA Championship standard, grass Football Stadium Pitch • Fully sprung indoor sports hall, seating up to 500 people • Gymnasium and weights room • Artificial short-play and putting green, driving range • Aerobic/dance studios • Boxing gym • 12 x 3G artificial five-a-side football pitches • 2x full-size floodlit artificial football/rugby pitches 3G and 4G • 60m x 40m indoor 3 G artificial football/rugby pitch • Higher Education specific delivery rooms and community space • Performance hub with analysis technologies.

The WISE Campus is the home to a range of high level sport performers, inclusive of the The Flyers Basketball Team, Bristol City Women Football Team and our American Football Team The Pride. We have partnerships with Bristol City Football Club Academy and Forest Green Rovers Football Club.

For more information email: highereducation@sgscol.ac.uk

Higher Education

GWYN MORRIS Whitchurch High School hall of fame

Star TH EI R

Photos: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency

rton What have Gareth Bale, Sam Warbu h They all attended Whitchurch Hig Among their teachers...

32 GET INTO SPORT 2016

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TEACHING

W

e had 13 students in one school year – including Gareth Bale and Sam Warburton – who had or who went on to gain international experience.

There was also Sam’s brother Ben, who played to a high level and who is now a physio for Cardiff Blues, and Elliot Kear, who plays rugby league for London Broncos. Geraint Thomas, the GB cyclist, was three years ahead of them while Sarah Thomas has since go on to play at the top level in badminton.

I remember they were all very modest, and all very disciplined, and with a strong work ethic. Gareth’s year in particular all pushed each other in an effort to try and reach their goals.

I’m often asked what it was like seeing talented youngsters come through and become big stars. To be honest, I get the same feeling seeing somebody swimming a length in the pool for the first time, or someone do a handstand or somersault for the first time, and then watch them tell their parents about it.

It’s extremely humbling to see sports stars remember their roots. The kids at the school now often ask me if I would ever ask Gareth or Sam to pop in or sign a shirt, but I don’t like to. If these guys want to come back, they will… and they have. Gareth came in with a signed Real Madrid shirt and Sam brought his first ever British Lions jersey, from when he played against Australia, and they presented these to the school.

“SOMEBODY HAS TO BE THE WELSH RUGBY CAPTAIN… SO WHY CAN’T IT BE THEM?”

and Elliot Kear all got in common?

School, Cardiff. In the same year. was Gwyn Morris

We have two walls of fame that act as an inspiration to our current students.

One features framed photographs of all those that have represented Wales at any level or age group. The second is full of International shirts from those who have gone on to win full caps.

Representing your country is the pinnacle, and that first cap is special.

However, we tell students even then they shouldn’t stop believing. Sam once said you’re not a great player until you retire. He has his feet on the ground and that is why he is Wales captain.

I get a buzz from students achieving something they didn’t feel possible.

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Things like that are great because they help inspire the next generation.

It is privilege to teach. We as a department have been asked if we feel any pressure nurturing talented youngsters. The challenge is to try and push them mentally, to help them develop a strong work ethic and to create honest and dedicated students with the character to not give up.

There are so many people with ‘what could have been’ stories, so my challenge is to ask my students how far they can drive themselves.

We can’t guarantee success, but we can help give students belief. Some children develop later than others, so it’s not always possible to tell who will succeed from a young age. Sam was a superb athlete, whereas Gareth was very slight and sometimes wasn’t selected because of his size. Obviously Gareth’s vision, touch and passing ability made him stand out, but sometimes you need a bit of luck. Don’t forget, even when he was playing for Spurs he was close to going out on loan.

You’re sometimes one game away from being forgotten, but he had the work ethic to keep going. Geraint is another who has achieved incredible things, in cycling, but he has had to work hard for it. They key is to try and help these individuals achieve a positive mind-set.

▼

s IN EY ES

I always say to my students that somebody has to be a gold medal winner or the Welsh rugby captain… so why can’t it be them? As teachers, we try and help students achieve by telling them they can do anything they want if they’re prepared to hard work.

If, as a PE teacher, the department, school and I played a small part in helping people realise their dreams then I am very proud of that, but there are so many other influences and facets to a child’s development, including their characters, their parents and friends, clubs and Primary schools. If you have a dream and a strong work ethic you can achieve anything, so you might as well crack on and give it a go.

2016 GET INTO SPORT 33

GWYN MORRIS Another wall, another impressive collection of memorabilia

Above: Gareth Bale's Real Madrid takes pride of place Right: Sam Warburton with school teachers Gwyn Morris, Steve Williams and Ian McIntire presents his old school with his test British & Irish Lions shirt

Photos: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency

Achievements inspire kids, so our role is to help them be the best they can be.

We currently have budding sports men and women in several individual sports and team games, with aspirations of achieving international status. The key is to keep driving them on to the next phase of their development, to keep telling them that whatever they achieve, they have to keep moving on to the next goal. Even if it’s a case of a long-distance runner in the school cross country championship going from 90th place in one race, to 34th in that same race a year later, that achievement will inspire them to take steps forward.

“THE KEY IS TO KEEP DRIVING THEM ON TO THE NEXT PHASE OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT”

The population is less fitter and as teachers we need to do something.

We tell our students that it’s hard to make a second first impression, and that being fit and healthy will help them in life, not just in sport. We ask them if they want to be able to kick a ball with their kids when they’re older, and stress the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

34 GET INTO SPORT 2016

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Star Hotshots are looking to expand a successful business into new Counties and provide a unique opportunity for qualified teachers/sport coaches to run their own business.

You may want to earn additional income during school holidays and/or weekends or you may want to establish a full time business in your area.

There is NO start-up fee required and Star Hotshots provide you with: • An Ofsted registered company, logo and website with a 15 year established brand • Access to our experienced administration team. Our Head Office will answer all enquiries and handle all bookings We want your business to be a success, so we provide you with the support, documentation, resources and advice you will need.

Please contact info@star-hotshots.co.uk for more information. www.star-hotshots.co.uk

PETRA KVITOVA

Czech star Petra Kvitova is ranked 11th in the world. A two-time Wimbledon champion, she is looking to make it a historic hat-trick in 2017. Here, she tells Claire Bloomfield how she’s preparing for the new season, and reveals the ups and downs of life on tour…

Do you enjoy training in the gym?

I know I have to spend a lot of time in the gym, but because the weather is nice [Petra is based in Monaco] I try and do a lot of that kind of training outdoors at least. The weather is so beautiful that I can’t spend all my time indoors!

You suffered from illness in 2015. Has that changed how you prepare?

I am definitely more aware of what I can and can’t do now. I try and look at it in a positive way and focus on what I can do rather than what I can’t. I was feeling tired when I woke up in the morning, then tired all day, so I didn’t have the energy I need to train properly. I am now more aware of the mental side of things, so that is positive.

Will you manage to take a step back from tennis before the season starts?

I had three weeks off at the end of the season, which was very nice. Now, I start to train again. I hope to have a couple of days off at Christmas to be with my family, but I have to practise.

How does your schedule look in the New Year?

I head to China and then Melbourne for the first grand slam of the year. I don’t tend to think too far beyond that.

When do you start to think about your targets for the year ahead?

I don’t try to set myself too many targets when it comes to winning tournaments or improving my ranking, I just try to improve my game. Hopefully, if I can play well, positive results will follow.

What do you miss from home when you’re travelling to train or from one tournament to another?

I do miss friends and family, and it’s very hard to take them with you. But I do have my team around me and I try and spend as much time with them as possible, and not so much in the hotel room.

The two wins in Wimbledon must stand out as the highlights of your career so far?

Absolutely, for sure. Wimbledon is a very special and historic place and I’m so honoured to be a part of that history. The first time I won I was very surprised! After the second win the feelings were deeper, and the satisfaction was greater, not just for me but also my team. I will remember those feelings forever. Wimbledon is different from the other majors and has a different feel. We stay in a house with a garden where you can play table tennis.

It’s fun. We stay close to the venue as well, so you can walk anywhere. It’s great.

Is the travelling difficult? Do you suffer from jet lag?

It always takes me about three or four days to get over jet lag and it’s hard to do anything when you feel like that.

Did you have to pinch yourself the morning after those wins?

I couldn’t believe it after the first one. By the time I won it again, I was more used to that feeling. The first was a blur!

You train away from home, in France, so where do you consider home?

The Czech Republic is home, and that’s where I’ll be for Christmas. I only manage to go back a couple of times a year.

Photo: Razvan / Shutterstock.com

How would you describe your relationship with your coach?

We have been together for eight years and in that time we have come across issues good and bad, and that has helped strengthen our relationship.

Together we have developed the best ways for me to train as best I can, and that has been really helpful.

▼

T

he new tennis season starts in the new year; does your training vary in this closedseason stage? Do you spend more time away from the court doing fitness work?

I’m not on the court as much at the moment. In fact, I don’t use a racquet as much!

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TENNIS

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Shutterstock.com Photos:Tony Bowler; Jimmie48 Photography

GAME ON 2016 GET INTO SPORT 37

PETRA KVITOVA

“WIMBLEDON IS A SPECIAL AND HISTORIC PLACE AND I’M SO HONOURED TO BE A PART OF THAT” Are you someone who likes to watch those successes back again on video?

I do like it. Sometimes I will watch some of my better performances, not the bad ones so much. I prefer to watch the highlight versions!

Is it important to be seen as a role model for young women in sport?

I generally think that I find myself trying to do what I can to help young kids who have an interest in tennis, and so it’s important to behave well. It’s nice to be seen as a role model, and so we have a responsibility to do what we can.

Do you think women’s tennis is more popular now, and that more and more girls are participating in the sport?

I think it’s a fast-growing female sport.

Certainly in Czech Republic there are more girls getting involved. It’s great to see more young talent coming through.

How would you encourage more women to get involved in the game?

It’s very difficult to succeed in tennis, so it’s important that girls enjoy playing the game. Obviously if you want to be successful you need to work hard.

2016 STATS Aces: 223 Double faults: 252 First serve: 61.5% First serve points won: 69.1% Second serve points won: 50.1% Service games won: 75.6% Service points won: 61.8%

Sometimes it’s very hard to do these things when you haven’t played so well or lost a match, but you generally don’t tend to think about it as much when things are going well. Obviously there are times when people are interested in your private life, but that comes with the job and you can’t choose when people take an interest in you.

Have you thought about what you might do after tennis? Would you go into coaching, or punditry?

I have no idea! I hope I have a few years left playing the game, so I will think about it at some point. I haven’t tried punditry or anything else and I would like to live a bit more of a normal life with my family. But I’m sure one day I will think about doing something else.

What would you like to achieve before the end of your career?

I would like to win a hat-trick at Wimbledon [laughs]. I would definitely like to win another grand slam.

What is the relationship like between the other girls on tour?

We see each other every day of every week, so it feels like a club. When you’re playing each other you want to win, but we can all talk to each other and have a laugh, which is nice.

Shutterstock.com Photos: Jimmie48 Photography; Leonard Zhukovsky

Is it hard adjusting to the media commitments and intrusion that come with being a famous sports star?

VITAL STATISTICS Born: 8 March 1990, Bilovec, Czech Republic Height: 6ft Weight: 70kg Honours: Wimbledon 2011, 2014 Prize money 2016: $2,500,516 Prize money career: $22,891,696

38 GET INTO SPORT 2016

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TENNIS

BE INSPIRED: The shortest match ever played lasted 20 minutes and was played between Susan M. Tutt and Marion Brandy at Wimbledon in 1969.

20

During a 2.5-hour match, the ball is usually only in play for 20 minutes.

some of the happiest people; by engaging the mind and body at the same time, tennis makes us healthier, more confident and less stressed - aka, happy.

How easy is it to get involved?

If you’ve never been able to understand why so many of us love whacking a neon ball with a racquet, or what all the hype is about when Wimbledon comes around each year, keep reading…

Why should we spend our time on the court?

Time is precious to all of us; when we’re not studying or working, it’s hard to convince ourselves that there is something better to do than napping, eating or binge-watching TV. However, tennis players have been proven to be

Very! There are over 20,000 courts across the UK, and plenty of projects taking place to get more of us to join. The Lawn Tennis Association is running its #GoHitIt campaign, as well as Tennis Tuesdays and Advantage Tennis Training.

There are also thousands of clubs across the country, if you’re keen to get involved in local league competitions. And for those of us missing that competitive nature but still up for swinging a racquet, there’s Cardio Tennis; you’ll burn a shed load of calories.

Is it expensive?

For those keen to play the sport as a hobby, schemes such as ‘Tennis for Free’ have made the game a lot

more affordable. If you’re not keen on joining a club, then as long as you have a racquet and a free court, you shouldn't be spending too many pennies.

Who can play?

Anyone. There are many different programmes that cater to people of all ages and abilities. LTA Mini Tennis is getting the younger ones involved, while the Tennis Foundation caters to those with disabilities. Not only is champion wheelchair tennis a thing, there’s also an adapted version of tennis for those who are deaf, visually-impaired or have learning disabilities.

Any other business?

To get more of your mates involved, try Touchtennis.

It’s the closest thing to five-a-side tennis you’ll find. Players use foam balls and 21-inch racquets on smaller courts. There’s even a Touchtennis tour to play for rankings and prize money.

11h5m

The longest-ever tennis match was played between John Isner and Nicolas Mahout at Wimbledon in 2010. It lasted a whopping 11 hours and 5 minutes.

210

Sabine Lisicki became the fastest server in women’s tennis when she recorded 210.8 km/h.

42,000

24 Around 42,000 balls are used in a single Wimbledon tournament.

24 tonnes of strawberries are used at Wimbledon each year.

Yellow tennis balls were first used in 1986.

263 17

Boris Becker was the first unseeded player to win Wimbledon in 1985. He was 17 years old.

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2016 GET INTO SPORT 39

Photos: Microgen/123RF

Samuel Groth's 263.4km/h serve in 2012 is the fastest.

DAVID HARVEY

only Meet David Harvey, the UK’s se in sports scientist to speciali y Formula 1. If you hate earlaway now mornings and jet lag, look

“F1 RACING IS THE ULTIMATE TEAM SPORT”

Photos: Glenn Dunbar/LAT Photographic; Sam Bloxham/LAT Photographic

How did you become a sports scientist?

I’d say there was some luck involved! Yet while you can be lucky getting a job, you need more than luck to keep it. I did both an undergraduate and a masters degree in sports science, but it was my voluntary work – for Aldershot Town FC – that impressed. I worked voluntarily during my summers. It was hard not earning any money at the time, but it paid off in the long run.

What does a sports scientist do?

I work for McLaren Applied Technologies and I help train the team behind the team, so the pit crew and engineers. I help ensure they’re fit for each race. The pit crew, for example, is a crucial part of the McLaren team, and it’s important they’re able to execute a pit stop accurately and in the quickest time. To help them do that, we work on the fundamentals of sleep, nutrition, hydration and immune function, and then apply strength and fitness training to help them do the job to the best of their ability.

What does that involve?

People think motor racing is a one-day event, but it’s more than that. A whole team will travel ahead of a race to set up the cars, the garage and pit facilities.

Then there’s practice, qualifying and the 40 GET INTO SPORT 2016

race itself. It’s a demanding environment and quite often the team can experience things such as jet lag.

That’s where we come in; we prepare the team for each race.

We will train them between races at our human performance centre, and offer small interventions where needed to help solve problems the team members experience while away. These can include a lack of hydration, or the need to source local and nutritional food wherever they’re working. The fitness of the whole team is vital. We used to simply offer the team training programmes for them to do by themselves, and send them off to races with travel packs. However, since taking more of an active role in their overall wellbeing, our role has snowballed.

People might be surprised at the importance of the fitness of the team behind the team. Is it a case of trying to find marginal gains?

F1 racing is the ultimate team sport.

Football clubs might have a big squad and a team of coaches behind that, but we probably have as many mechanics as clubs have squad members, and behind them is a further team of 600 people.

And they all play a part in how a driver performs in any given race.

I would argue that searching for marginal gains can sometimes detract from the focus of doing the simple things correctly. Get the basics right and you’ll notice more of an impact than any marginal gains. We concentrate on sleep, hydration, eating and immune function, which helps develop movement, concentration and focus, before anything else.

Is technology important in what you do?

Vital, and that has increased exponentially in the last two years. The rise of wearable

technology has been important, and we’re always in search of the latest technology if we feel it will help us.

Are F1 teams constantly trying to find out what the opposition is doing?

Motorsport has a culture of secrecy.

We have no idea what our competitors are up to, but that inspires us to pursue our own perfection.

What’s the best thing about working in Formula 1?

It’s great to see the product of your work on TV when each race comes around, and knowing that millions of people will be watching. It’s also a good atmosphere when the team is successful.

I get to travel too. This year, I’ve worked with amateur drivers in places such as California, Bahrain and Spain.

That was a lot of fun! And I was entrusted with training Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren’s new driver for the 2017 season. He’ll be replacing Jenson Button, so watch out for him.

What makes a good sports scientist?

I would say 50 per cent knowledge, 50 per cent man management. You need the trust of an athlete to get the best out of them, and you gain that with good people skills but also the knowledge to help them be better. Trust can be lost as quickly as it’s gained.

What advice would you give to anyone who would like to get into sports science?

Contact your local sports clubs and offer to work for them. If you’re particularly into F1, there are smaller teams around, but just getting involved with a sports team will show employers you’re keen. @MclarenApplied mclaren_applied_technologies www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

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SPORTS SCIENCE

ON THE HUNT FOR THE LATEST TALENT

McLaren Applied Technologies are on a relentless mission to improve people’s lives by combining their fresh thinking and technology to solve crucial challenges in industries as diverse as health, public transport, automotive and motorsport. For their latest vacancies please visit their careers website www.mclaren.com/careers For the latest news on McLaren Applied Technologies, please visit the website, or follow @MclarenApplied and LinkedIn.

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2016 GET INTO SPORT 41

DANNY KERRY Dr Andrea Furst Team Sports Psychologist Works with individual athletes and the group on their mental preparation and the team culture.

Photo: Getty Images

Dr Mike Rossiter Team Doctor Mike consults across both the men's and women’s squads and is the Chief Medical Officer for England and GB Hockey.

42 GET INTO SPORT 2016

Craig Keegan Women’s Assistant Coach Assists head coach, Danny Kerry with the elite women’s coaching programme.

Craig is also head coach of the women’s Under 21s team who finished seventh in the recent Junior World Cup in Chile.

Dr Benjamin Rosenblatt Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach Ben constructs all the strength and conditioning training programmes for the team, along with bespoke schedules for individuals. Following the Olympics, Ben has moved on to the Football Association to perform a similar role.

Karen Brown Women’s Assistant Coach Karen works within the coaching team with Danny and Craig and takes the lead on defence. Until Kate Richardson-Walsh overtook her recently, Karen was the most capped England and GB female hockey player of all time.

Amber Luzar Team Performance Analyst Amber is responsible for video and statistical analysis of the performance of the team and their opposition. Amber produces post-match reports for coaching staff and athletes to help with development and future preparation.

Team TH E www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

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HOCKEY Michaela Smith Team Leader Michaela was the Team Leader for both squads at the Rio Olympics and acted as the key liaison between the British Olympic Association and the GB Hockey teams. The Team Leader role is adopted for multi-sport games such as Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Emma Batchelor Team Physiotherapist Works with athletes on injury prevention strategies and treats all injuries.

behind T EA M

Emma Gardner Team Nutritionist Works with individual athletes to ensure they have effective nutrition strategies before, during and after training and games.

Danny Kerry Head Coach Responsible for every aspect of the women’s England and GB programme. Led the team to Olympic Bronze in 2012, Commonwealth Silver in 2014, European Gold in 2015 and Olympic Gold in 2016.

John Hurst Joint Team Manager and Consultant Goalkeeping Coach John has been a consultant goalkeeping coach for England Hockey since 1989. He also manages all the logistics for the team, making sure all off the pitch elements are taken care of.

Investec support women’s hockey from grassroots to GB. For more on Investec private banking visit investec.co.uk/banking

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y team won a first In Rio, Team GB’s women’s hocke ating defending Olympic hockey gold medal by be nalty shoot out. champions the Netherlands in a pe n just those on The historic win involved more tha shot shows… the field of play, as this celebration 2016 GET INTO SPORT 43

HOCKEY

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HOCKEY

BE INSPIRED: Field hockey is played in over 100 countries across five continents, by over 3,000,000 people.

Is it expensive?

As most of us know, having played this sport at school, field hockey can be both fun and a little intimidating.

Here in the UK, hockey is one of the most popular sports played; and so it should be. Not only is it a great workout, but smacking that ball with a stick can be a fantastic stress reliever. And our GB women’s team are the current Olympic champs!

I’ve never been keen. Why should I try it?

With the memories of hockey at school sitting

There are lots of clubs dedicated to hockey across the country, and they’ll usually be more than happy to provide decent kit and training without taking all your money. Schemes such as Play Hockey make it super easy to find a club near you.

Who can play?

Anyone. Male, female, and those of all ages and abilities are catered for with this sport. England Hockey has created a programme called ‘Flyerz Hockey’ for players that are visually impaired, deaf, have learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism or for those in wheelchairs. It’s literally accessible to anyone keen to take part.

What are the benefits?

Not only is it a great cardio workout, hockey also helps to improve your hand-eye coordination, balance and agility; all that stopstarting and ball-chasing really works. You’ll also see improvements in your speed, teamwork ability and muscular strength the benefits are plenty!

Anything else I should know?

If you take a liking to field hockey, SportsCoachUK offers plenty of opportunities to become a coach, teaching others the skills of the sport. There are also other schemes, such as Back to Hockey, for those of all ages who have either never played, or have forgotten the basics.

5

Men’s field hockey has the fastest swing speed out of any sport, recorded at 103mph.

3

Players can travel more than five miles during the course of a field hockey match.

Alongside football and cricket, field hockey is the third most watched sport of the world.

The original name for the game was ‘Shinty’.

1908 The first Olympic tournament was played in 1908, and became permanent in 1928.

44 GET INTO SPORT 2016

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Photos: Manan Vatsyayana/Getty Images; Pascal Guyot/Getty Images

firmly in your mind, it’s no wonder some can be sceptical at first. Once you pick up a stick and start running around the pitch, though, you’ll realise that it’s a great way to make friends while scratching that competitive itch.

3m 103

SARAH BARROW

EUROPEAN GOLD MEDALLIST? TICK. TWO-TIME OLYMPIAN? TICK. BUT WHAT NEXT?

be short. n ca e et hl at an of er re ca The als what it’s ve re ow rr Ba h ra Sa r ve di GB Here, e competitive th en wh b jo a d fin to ng yi like tr career comes to an end.

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A CAREER

READY FOR THE NEXT CHALLENGE…

As an athlete you’re used to routines and while it has been nice to have a break, I’m ready to go into full-time work and get stuck into a project. It sounds great having a load of time off, but after a while you realise everyone else is working!

NOW WHAT?

I’ve been keen to look into what sort of career I might want to do. The English Institute of Sport helps funded athletes with this by providing you with a lifestyle manager, and she’s been helping me for about three years. I’ve done a few bits of work experience, so it’s about building up my CV and looking at potential jobs, and also networking and finding out what I do and don’t enjoy doing. These things sound simple, but when you’ve been competing as an athlete your whole life, it’s all new. For example, I’d never had to do a cover letter before! Seems funny, but I never had to do it.

STAYING IN SPORT

I’ve been looking to get involved in events or participation in sport. I’ve also been doing a Masters in sports journalism, so I’ve also been looking into doing some work for magazines. I enjoy sport, and not just diving. I enjoy watching all sports and hopefully that will open up more opportunities.

Gold! Sarah Barrow was a European diving champion in 2014

MAKING THE TRANSITION

CHICKEN AND EGG

I started thinking about the next stage of my working life as far back as 2008, but more so in 2012. Back then, I did a massage course, which taught me that wasn’t really what I wanted to do. I’ve been trying to dip my toe into journalism, too, which has shown me that I prefer magazines over other print options, such as newspapers. I’ve tried PR, I’ve worked at Sky Sports… I’ve done a presenters' course and I’m about to do a commentary course. I think you have to try all these things to find out whether or not you like them. I’ve been lucky to have been involved with diving for so long, to have done something I’ve enjoyed for so many years, but the challenge is now finding something I like in this next stage of my career.

RETIRING YOUNG IS HARD!

The transition from elite sport, which is a bubble, to normal work is really tough.

I notice now one of the weirdest things is that I go whole days without speaking to anyone. I might be working on my masters at home, and of course my friends are at work. So there might be days where I get to the end of the working day and I’ve not spoken to anyone! Compare that to when I was diving, where I would have been in the pool early on and gone in again in the afternoon with my peers and having fun. So it has been a big change. The fitness side is different, too. I was so used to having an organised day around my regime, whereas now I’m just attending gym classes. I don’t miss the diving, I just miss being involved in everything around it.

I went to a careers fair for athletes either still in their sport or those who, like me, are transitioning. That was really helpful because it enabled me to meet many people in the same boat. It’s weird. I’m 27 and I’m told my CV is lacking certain skills.

However, until now, my ‘work’ has been training for diving… that’s my experience, so it’s hard to get the skills you need. It’s a chicken and egg situation: it’s hard to get skills when you’re training, but you need skills to be able to land a job when you’re not competing any more.

It’s also difficult finding a job that meets your salary expectations. I’m looking for work and I’m 27, which means those salaries that might suit people aged 21 aren’t ideal. I was lucky to have funding as a diver too, so it’s hard to find jobs that can match that, particularly roles that don’t require a lot of experience.

HIGHS AND LOWS

The highlight of my diving career was becoming European champion in 2014.

It was a tough year of injuries and the only reason I went at all was because my parents had bought tickets to watch.

I also won a bronze alongside Tonia [Couch, her synchronised diving partner] in 2012, which was the first time a British pair had won a medal at that level.

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN AN OLYMPIAN

When I went to the World Cup in March, I was taken out of the GB synchro team.

At that point I was contemplating giving up on diving, but my coach encouraged me to keep going, and I won the trials that enabled me to go to Rio. To achieve that off my own back was great, and even though I didn’t do as well as I wanted in Brazil, it was great to be there.

Being part of Team GB at an Olympics… it’s unlike anything else.

“IT SOUNDS GREAT HAVING TIME OFF, BUT YOU REALISE EVERYONE ELSE IS WORKING”

@SarahBarrow @sarahbarrow88

Photos: Vaughn Ridley/Swpix.Com; Northcliffe Media Ltd/Lucy Blake

I

made the decision to retire in Rio in 2016 and I was keen to have a break afterwards.

I'd had a full-on year, so I was looking forward to going out with my friends, going out for meals, saying ‘yes’ to things and going to weddings… all the things I was unable to do when I was training as an athlete!

STEVE INGHAM

“THERE’S HUGE POTENTIAL TO TAKE BRITISH SPORT TO GREATER HEIGHTS”

’s most successful UK e th of e on is am gh In e Stev with the likes ed rk wo ’s He s. st gi lo io ys sports ph dgrave and Matthew Re e ev St , ll Hi sni En a ic ss of Je his footsteps?

Pinsent. Want to follow in

48 GET INTO SPORT 2016

www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

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PHYSIOLOGY

"A cq uir e ex pe rie nc e an d lea rn fr om it. St ep out be yo nd th e bo ok s to ge t ex pe rie nc e"

You have been Director of Science and Technical Development at the English Institute of Sport, and helped oversee the rise of Team GB. How did the organisation achieve that?

Team GB didn’t used to do so well [at the Olympic Games]. In 1996, at Atlanta, we finished 36th in the medals’ table, just above Armenia. Since then, we’ve benefitted from funding by the lottery and the exchequer, and that helped enabled athletes to train full-time, and for the coaches and the teams behind the scenes to make a living helping them.

This saw an enhanced appliance of sports science and medicine.

Then, when we were awarded the Olympic games in 2005, there was a widespread galvanization of efforts.

At that time, I was one of ten sports physiologists who were all pioneers.

Now, there are more than 500 in the English Institute of Sport system alone, plus a further 3,000 or 4,000 at other sports clubs. Sports science is growing – and maturing – quickly.

How have we been able to compete with bigger nations?

You’re right; we don’t have the population of, say, America or China, but in the last five Olympiads we have continued to better our medals totals.

We were fourth in Beijing, third in London and second in Rio. To do that, we’ve simply focused on what it takes to win.

www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

Is sports science another way of finding ‘marginal gains’?

Marginal gains have become a bit of a thing in recent years, but what does it mean? I think marginal gains is really ‘leaving no stone unturned’. Our approach is to set our sights very high and establish goals. For example, for a long jumper, it could be to increase their distance by 20cm. To do that, you have to break down the components of a long jump. They have to have a quick run-up, for example, then transfer that speed to the jump. They then need to jump as close to the line as possible and fly through the air in the most effective way. There are physiological and nutritional elements involved with each of these components, so what we do is create a model of performance and apply what we feel is the appropriate training and rest. We might make a series of small changes but which all add up. Essentially, we try new things, observe them and measure their effectiveness.

What makes a champion?

Are we talking sporting champions, or champions in everyday life? We get goosebumps watching people run around in circles on a track but it’s not the actual event, it’s the endeavour of that person to achieve that goal. That can translate to all of us. We can all set ambitious goals that have meaning.

Sports science is a growing industry, is it a good time to get involved?

It is, although you have to consider at the moment that there are 15,000 students currently undertaking sports science degrees, and there are only about 4,000-5,000 jobs. That said, the opportunities within sports science are huge, and there’s huge potential to take British sport to greater heights.

What is it like to work with champions of sport?

I have been very fortunate. My role has always been to analyse how athletes train and perform, and what can influence those two things. I’ve worked with more than 1,000 athletes, of which 200 have won medals or experienced Olympic success. And recently, following a decision to award Kelly Sotherton a retrospective gold medal for the 4 x 400 in 2008, I can now also call myself an Olympic-winning coach, too!

With sports science so competitive, how would someone stand out?

A sports science degree will teach you to know stuff, but it won’t tell you how to use that stuff, or enable you to learn from the experiences of using it. So, I would look for someone who has made effective use of what they’ve learned in the real world. Get out there and acquire experience by helping someone be better.

I don’t know of any peers who entered the industry with just a qualification.

They all did something more. They were industrious. I certainly wasn’t equipped when I started out.

Someone studying photography will go out and practise using their camera. That behaviour will define them.

It’s the same for a budding sports scientist. Acquire experience and learn from it. Step out beyond the books to get experience, and continue to reflect and maximize your adaptations.

How to Support a Champion: The Art of Applying Science to the Elite Athlete, is available on amazon.co.uk @ingham_steve @eis2win

2016 GET INTO SPORT 49

CAREERS ADVICE

PERKS

You’ll get at least 20 days of paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays.

You’ll also receive the same benefits as other employees, which may include a pension and subsidised canteen and leisure facilities. You may also be entitled to additional money for other essentials.

£170

THE AVERAGE APPRENTICE TAKES HOME AROUND £170 PER WEEK. FROM 1 APRIL 2017 THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE WILL BE £3.50 PER HOUR FOR APPRENTICES UNDER 19 IN THE FIRST YEAR. ALL OTHER APPRENTICES ARE ENTITLED TO THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE FOR THEIR AGE (£5.60 PER HOUR FOR THOSE AGED 18 TO 20; £7.05 21 TO 24; AND £7.50 25 AND OVER).

HIRED YOU'RE

training that enables you An apprenticeship is a real job with nationally recognised a ng ini ga t ils wh rn lea u yo ile wh to earn ply-apprenticeship for more… ap k/ v.u go w. ww it Vis . ion at fic ali qu

YOUR’E THE BOSS Fancy a career in leisure management or operations?

The former could see you work as a club or duty manager responsible for the day-to-day operations of a leisure facility, which can include customer care, managing and maintaining facilities and the health of safety of staff and customers.

50 GET INTO SPORT 2016

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT APPRENTICES EARN, ON AVERAGE, AROUND £77,000 MORE OVER THEIR LIFETIME THAN OTHER EMPLOYEES. THIS FIGURE RISES TO £117,000 FOR THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED AN ADVANCED LEVEL APPRENTICESHIP.

£77,000

FINANCIAL SUPPORT If you’re between 16 and 18, the

government will pay the full cost of your training. If you’re over 19, your employer may be expected to contribute to your training costs.

The funding you’re eligible to receive depends entirely on your circumstances, your employer and the type of apprenticeship.

30%

The fitness industry has been stable throughout the economic downturn, and with 30 per cent of the fitness workforce under 30, there’s no better time to get involved. An intermediate fitness apprenticeship could result in work as a fitness or gym instructor.

With more advanced training, you could become a personal trainer.

www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

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AN APPRENTICESHIP

HELPING PEOPLE BE BETTER

A sports development apprenticeship enables you to organise projects, programmes, information and training to encourage people to increase their activity and have a healthier lifestyle, or to participate more actively in their community. The work can include developing performance, community sport and physical activity and/or participation for particular target groups.

To find out more, visit www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

D!

620,000

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE SPORTS OR FITNESS INDUSTRIES IN ABOUT 230,000 BUSINESSES IN THE COUNTRY. www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

1

Apprenticeships take between one and five years to complete.

THERE ARE FOUR LEVELS OF APPRENTICESHIP, STARTING WITH THE INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED (LEVELS 2 AND 3), THE EQUIVALENT TO FIVE GCSEs A-C AND TWO A-LEVELS RESPECTIVELY. BOTH INVOLVE WORKING TOWARDS WORK-BASED QUALIFICATIONS, AS WELL AS FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND, IN MOST CASES, A RELEVANT KNOWLEDGE-BASED QUALIFICATION. WITH A HIGHER APPRENTICESHIP (LEVELS 4 TO 7), YOU CAN ADD A FOUNDATION DEGREE, AND WITH A DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP (LEVELS 6 AND 7) YOU’RE HELPING TO BUILD THE HIGH-LEVEL TECHNICAL SKILLS NEEDED FOR THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE.

4

5

£0.00

The cost of registering on www.findapprenticeship. service.gov.uk

IN 2013/14, HALF A MILLION INDIVIDUALS STARTED AN APPRENTICESHIP.

0.5m 1,000,000 This is the number of coaches

currently in the UK across schools clubs, leisure centres and sports clubs, and the number is growing all the time. There are two types of coaching apprenticeship. At intermediate level, you could train in coaching roles in diving, tennis, water polo, community sports or swimming, or as a club coach, instructor or swimming teacher.

The advanced level could see you train as a senior, club or fitness coach.

2016 GET INTO SPORT 51

LUCY ROBERTSHARTLEY

FA Senior Brand Manager Lucy Roberts-Hartley reveals what happens on one of the biggest days of the global football calendar

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF…

THE EMIRATES FA CUP FINAL 7am

1pm

The first job of the day is to check all the static branding, particularly the areas with a high broadcast pick-up.

These include the area where the teams arrive, the tunnel and mixed zone. The branding can go up two or three days in advance, sometimes it’s the night before, but we walk round to check it’s all present, correct and clean. The holding area, where the players wait before kick-off, is branded in club colours too, which looks amazing!

During the semi-finals there’s a quick turnaround required after the first semi-final for the second just 24 hours later!

As countdown to the kick-off continues, I’ll run through all the content alongside the running order inside and outside the stadium. As soon as the gates open, it’s show time, so if something hasn’t worked, or isn’t going to work, we pull it.

8am

We check the digital branding, which includes all platforms inside and outside the stadium. First we check the external screens, then test the big screens inside the stadium. The company that produces all the graphics takes us through each one individually. We also check the perimeter boards and LED screens and check all animations and spellings of players’ names.

Photos: Courtesey of the FA

11am

We tend to have a running order meeting, at which point we scrutinise all events including use of all music, PA scripts, graphics, screen entertainment and on-pitch activity.

Everyone involved on the day attends, so it can include AV companies, presenters, runners and VT producers.

This is done pitchside, so it can be noisy!

This sets the agenda for the day ahead, though of course we will all be well versed with events already.

52 GET INTO SPORT 2016

2pm

The Emirates FA Cup final is the pinnacle of the football season and a lot of campaigns culminate on this day, or are activated on the day itself. For example, in 2016, we invited social influencers for a full VIP experience. Take the Sport Bible, for example, they were given behind-scenes access and, along with our PR team, they share their experience on their channels to what is a younger audience than ours.

We also have competition winners in attendance, and they’ll also get the VIP experience. This year, they met Tinie Tempah, who was part of the prematch entertainment.

3pm

I like to work, meet and greet VIPS from our main sponsors and partners. I’m able to show them round the stadium and explain how we’re activating their sponsorship throughout the day, and of course we take them pitchside. There’s a lot of walking involved!

4pm

At this point we’re really building up to the game, so we’ll check that our content is being shared across all our social channels. This year, we tried to reach out to fans away from the stadium and invited those watching at www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

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EVENT/BRAND MANAGEMENT

home or elsewhere to send pictures, which we moderated before adding to our internal screens. At this point, it’s great to take a second to watch the fans arrive. Often a sea of contrasting colours, it’s great watching both sets of supporters flooding towards the stadium or enjoying the fan parks.

4.45pm

Thirty minutes to kick-off, so I’ll find a seat behind the dugouts and try and watch all the entertainment as the atmosphere builds. There is so much happening on the pitch – including pyrotechnics and flag reveals – and on all the screens. Here, I can keep an eye on all the branding.

5.15pm

Kick-off! I might join the event staff for a quick bit of food before preparing for half-time. Sometimes we have entertainment, or competition winners to be awarded at the break, so we’ll take them pitchside via the mixed zone ready to go on the pitch when the game stops. There’s a lot to do in the 15-minute break, including a highlights show on screen, and escorting competition winners back to their seats.

6.15pm

I’ll try and watch the second half with my dad, who will update me on the game itself! This is the first time you really get a chance to enjoy the match.

Before the end, I’ll support the events team, whether it’s preparing for the presentation or extra-time. One job is to take the ribbons of the losing team off the actual trophy. The cup is then given to our military guests, who take the cup and ribbons to the Royal Box. Then it’s a case of getting the players to receive the trophy, in order behind the captain and once they’ve lifted the cup, it’s back to the pitch for the team celebrations. At this point, my work is done, and as soon as the team retires to the dressing room, and the broadcasters end their coverage, it’s radios off and upstairs for a drink.

Done for another year! @lucygroberts Lucy Roberts-Hartley www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

2016 GET INTO SPORT 53

CAREERS ADVICE

BEN COLE, USA

Photo: Wallenrock/123RF

I was at Southampton Solent University studying football when a friend of mine decided to travel to the US to do coaching between his first and second years. When he came back, he raved about his experiences in Hawaii.

So, together with a friend of mine, we decided to give it a go ourselves in the summer of our second year.

We both did a three-month contract and I loved it so much I went back at the end of my course for nine months. I’ve been doing that now for the last four years!

In my first trip, I worked as a coach at a summer camp.

You would basically arrive on a Sunday and meet a family who would host you for the week. You’d then coach the local kids between 9-12, or 9-3, every weekday, which left you plenty of time to see sights and socialise. Every week you would move somewhere new, meaning you’d meet a new family each time, as well as new coaches and kids. It was great meeting new people all the time and I still keep in touch with the people I’ve met in the last few years, including seven or eight families, from Chicago to Hawaii. Some people I’ve worked with have made really useful contacts; I know one guy who landed a job in Hollywood through one of the families he stayed with!

It’s great spending time with like-minded people, and you get to see so much. One of my favourite memories is driving from Houston to LA over three days, which sounds horrendous, but was actually amazing.

In 2015, I was approached about doing more of a managerial role. This means that now, when I’m home in England between seasons, I get involved with the sales and marketing side. I’ve also been lucky enough to coach with some professional clubs out in the US, too. It’s excellent experience and they really take the coaching of kids really seriously.

I would really recommend the experience. It certainly beats going straight into an office job. I would say I probably earn less than my friends, but travelling has matured me, and the life experiences and stories far outweigh the financial side of things. The money is okay.

You don’t have many outgoings, so while you’re not going to be stashing money away, you won’t be short either.

I’ve actually recommended it to my brother to try and help improve his confidence.

He’s heading out in 2017. I’m sure my folks won’t thank me for encouraging him so that we’re both away, but they’ve realised how happy I am doing what I do.

LOUIS MASSARELLA, RIO I was working full-time on a magazine in London when a mutual contact alerted me to a 12-week contract working at London 2012.

At the time it was a big decision [whether or not to go freelance] because it meant leaving full-time work for a 12-week contract, and beyond that I had no idea what I'd be doing. In spite of this, I decided to do it, and it was a brilliant experience.

And four years later, I was contacted about working at the Rio Games.

The work in London had been tough, but rewarding.

I had worked as a sub-editor, though there were many reporter roles to choose from across a range of sports.

I had a fairly rudimentary knowledge of a lot of obscure sports, so the subbing work suited me. Plus the shifts were more organised. There were long hours, but they were more structured than those of the reporters. The work was very different to what I’d done before in both print and online.

When I was asked about Rio, again it was a big decision. I had two kids to consider, but I couldn’t turn down the chance to experience working in Brazil.

I headed there three weeks before the event started, during which time I met the team I’d be working with, got used to the system we’d be using and spent a lot of time reading up on the nuances of various sports. There were many cultural differences in the way people consumed sport, and it took time getting used to the times we’d be working; as many of the sports took place at times to suit US television.

It was quite weird when I first arrived in Brazil, a real journey into the unknown.

It felt novel, working somewhere new. It was exciting flying out, too. Yet within a week it felt totally normal because you were in the pockets of the same people all the time. I also got to know the intricacies of the work we’d be doing. When the Games started it was chaos, but it was very exciting [being part of a live event].

I tried to do as much as I could when I wasn’t working.

For me, it was a rare chance to do things without having to chase after two kids, so I seized the opportunity to eat out, see some of the sights and spend some time around the pool. I would definitely do it again. Count me in for Tokyo in 2020!

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THE RIGHT JOB

JAMES BURTON, WORLDWIDE

I set up Sporting Opportunities in 2002 and have been lucky enough to travel extensively. Initially, I took a gap year to backpack around Africa. I wanted to recharge my batteries and take a break from studying while seeing what else was out there. When I returned to my photography degree, a friend and I were invited to get involved in a project in Ghana. While there, we noticed how much sports talent there was, which gave us the idea of setting up a school and football academy and inviting international coaches (those on a gap year or studying sport at university) to help train the kids while getting a bit of life experience themselves.

At the time, nobody else was doing sports community projects like this, so it proved popular. We haven’t looked back since. Now, from our various projects around Africa and beyond, some of the kids we coach have gone on to gain scholarships because of their sporting ability, which is an amazing achievement for all involved.

Fifteen years on, we’re now global, having sent thousands away on lifechanging sports experiences.

We have a huge network of reliable people working across South America, the

www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

Caribbean, Africa and through Asia, Australia and the South Pacific. A sports trip with us can take you into some really interesting places.

We also offer a lot more than coaching overseas, having expanded our opportunities into sports management internships, physiotherapy and sports psychology. Our range of sports and career development positions really can set you apart in a future job interview. You will be challenged and tested in the field of work you are most passionate about and engage in communities totally different to what you are used to. And if this is not your thing, then we also offer trips abroad to train and play in your sport or gain an instructor qualification in the water and winter sports industry. Something for everyone!

I started out by taking a few risks, believing in the power of sport and how it can unite people throughout the world. It’s important to have a vision in life and I am glad that my vision has become an exciting reality. We now work with more than 20,000 kids a year, giving them a wide range of opportunities, so if this is not worth getting out of bed for then I don't know what is.

Working WANDERLUST

If you’d love to travel but worry how you’ll finance it, there are plenty of opportunities to work as you see the world, as these three case studies explain…

2016 GET INTO SPORT 55

CAREERS ADVICE

1

Tailor your covering note to each job you apply for.

Many people send one CV/ covering note for a whole range of jobs without thinking about the role or explaining why you are right for it.

2 3 4 5

Be honest. Don’t embellish your achievements!

If you’ve seen The Apprentice, you’ll know people get caught out.

Don’t leave gaps in your employment.

If there are holes in your work history, employers will definitely ask you about them.

Don’t leave any question marks.

Make your CV easy to read and free of clutter.

Keep it simple.

10steps TO A KILLER CV

Dan Reeves from sports recruiters The Executives in Sport Group reveals ten essential CV tips

Bullet points work best.

Few recruiters or employers have the time to wade through large chunks of text. Sports jobs often receive loads of CVs and applications; employers haven’t got time to read your essay!

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THE RIGHT JOB

6 7 8 9 10 Make sure your contact details are correct.

Believe it or not, people do get this wrong! Check your phone number and email address.

You’d be amazed, for example, how many people use ‘.com’ instead of '’.co.uk.’

The first page of your CV is the most important.

Some people talk about keeping a CV to two pages.

That’s less important.

Just make sure the key information is on page one.

Start with a personal statement, then list your achievements and describe your current role, and how your skills apply to the job you want. Many employers/ recruiters won’t get as far as the second page if the first doesn’t grab their attention.

Use a professional email address.

Don’t use stickyvicky69@ hotmail.com, for example.

Avoid using CV templates. Put a bit of effort in and show your creativity. Keep it simple, but try and do something that looks different.

Use the same font and font size throughout, and keep it clean.

“CHECK YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS. YOU’D BE AMAZED, FOR EXAMPLE, HOW MANY PEOPLE USE ‘.COM’ INSTEAD OF ‘.CO.UK.’”

Illustration: Liravega258/123RF

Ensure your spelling, grammar and punctuation are all correct. This is a bugbear of many employers.

As recruiters, we often have to spell check CVs on behalf of would-be interviewees, and we don’t want to be doing that!

CAREERS ADVICE

1 2 3 4 5 58 GET INTO SPORT 2016

DISTANCE Home birds may not want to end up somewhere seven hours, three trains and a car journey away, but it’s important to be far enough away from home to gain the ‘life on your own’ experience. The independence you gain in university just by living away from the family will set you up for life, especially once you’ve mastered the washing machine. Cooking may take time.

COURSE Possibly one of the most important factors to consider is the range of courses available to you at the universities you’re considering.

Read every little detail of the course description to make sure that it’s really for you. While most universities make switching courses relatively simple, you want to avoid it. Choose a winner and you’ll have more time to focus on hitting those top scores, doing a course that you love.

W 10 OOSEll TO CH TEC done. We

A-levels/B which university to go to. Need

M

aking the decision to jump into further education and choosing the place that you’ll receive a degree is no small thing.

Firstly, make sure you have more than one option on the table; you never know what

LOCATION The location of the university will become the location for all of your freshers fun; coffee revision dates; hungover remedy brunches; midweek nights out; hook-ups and (hopefully not too many) break-ups and ultimately, the place that you will be sad to leave once it’s done.

With all of this mind, spend some time doing a little exploration, and speak to current students to see what its like to live and study there.

COST Being a student is fun and incredibly rewarding, but it can also be a real squeeze on the bank account. Now that funding for further education has dipped, it’s even more important that you figure the costs of university into your choice. Check out how much tuition fees and first year residency are, and have a look at typical student rent prices beyond the first year. Also keep in mind the cost of living in the place you decide - London will weigh a lot heavier on the bank than other cities.

REPUTATION As a student, the university you attend will become part of your own rep. Have you ever wondered why so many apply to Oxbridge and Russell Group universities? These names hold incredible reputations, and not only are you much more likely to receive an outstanding quality of education as a result, you’ll also be likely to gain a little more merit with future employers. So do your research and check the rankings.

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THE RIGHT COURSE

I IGHTfacUe N TH E R the difficult but now you done you, help? Consider our ten-point plan… might happen, and having a few back-ups could be essential. It’s also important to make the effort to attend open days; they’re actually very useful when picking the course, and will give you a glimpse into life on campus.

7

8 9 10

www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

FACILITIES What are you looking for? Whether it’s decent halls of residence for the first year, top-notch sporting facilities, a cracking Students Union or spacious campus, you’ll find out everything you need to know by visiting. Again, ask around to get the opinion of the students already there.

INDUSTRY LINKS Certain universities boast top links with certain industries.

Future medics should look to London or Oxbridge and UCL; numbercrunchers head for Bath or Leeds; drama queens should scout out Birmingham and Bristol; computer techies look to St Andrews or Durham. These links will prove very handy when you start to think about life after university - future employers know which universities to look out for when checking on education.

WORK PLACEMENTS While reputation within certain industries is important, so to are the opportunities available to get vital work experience before you enter the world of work. These days it’s all about experience; sure a degree is still necessary, but with so many graduates and not so many jobs, employers are being picky, and the experience wins the work.

VOLUNTEER Just as vital as paid experience is unpaid experience. Showing that you did more with your time outside of class than winning beer pong, falling asleep in the library and napping will do wonders for your CV once you graduate. Volunteer placements are also a fab way to meet new people, network within your chosen industry and discover new hobbies.

CULTURE Lastly, consider the culture of the university. By this we mean the events, campaigns, societies, trends, traditions and general way of life that the university and its location boasts. If you’re a high-energy socialite then look for major cities; if you’re a small town bookhoarder then head to slower-paced, possibly coastal places; if you’re looking to get involved, head somewhere with a solid Students’ Union.

Keeping all of this in mind will certainly help you make the right fit.

2016 GET INTO SPORT 59

Photo: Rawpixel/123RF

Ways 6

CAREERS ADVICE

D on ’t w af fl e!

APPLY FOR A JOB FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

DON’T JUST HIT ‘SUBMIT’

Don’t apply for a role because you like a particular sport, or because you support a particular team. If you don’t think you’ll enjoy the role, the novelty will soon wear off. Don’t devalue your own experience.

Sending a CV isn’t enough.

Writing a personalised cover letter explaining why you want the job shows effort. Be sure you’ve addressed it to the right person. We’ve heard of one letter, sent for a job at Manchester United, addressed to Manchester City. Guess what happened to that application…

RESEARCH THE COMPANY

Do your background research and get to know your interviewees, and the organisation itself. They’ll be doing the same with you, so find people on LinkedIn, or on social media, and read up on the background of the company.

EDIT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT

Prospective employers will look at social media pages, so keep certain things private if you don’t want them aired to the public. We’ve seen people lose jobs because of social media. It doesn’t always have to be lewd or drunken photos, if you like to vent your opinions about the sports you love, consider how an employer might view them.

Career

s t ’ n o d d n a s do a job is simple, right? Well, it’s ng tti ge lie… n’t do d an art sm k Fix up, loo es’ advice. A sports recruiter for easier when you follow Dan Reev ows his onions. Listen up! kn he , up Gro ort Sp in s ve uti ec The Ex

60 GET INTO SPORT 2016

www.careers-in-sport.co.uk

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THE RIGHT JOB

It’s amazing how many people apply for jobs without considering all the ramifications.

Some people apply for jobs simply for the bargaining tool when it comes to getting a pay rise in their current role. Others don’t consider the details of the role itself, or the consequences of, say, having to move. A lot of people tell us they want to move into or closer to London without realising how expensive it is.

Others don’t consider the cost of the commute, or the effects of having to move away from family and friends. There’s a personal element to every job, so consider the finer details.

KNOW YOUR CV Don’t lie in your CV, obviously, but also familiarise yourself with what you’ve written.

If you’re asked about anything you’ve said, you need to know the answer.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

Many decisions are made in the first 30 seconds of an interview.

Dress smart, but consider the small details. It might sound silly, but even wearing the wrong colour can end your application before you’ve even had a chance to sing your own praises. If a club or organisation has a particular colour, don’t turn up in those of their rivals.

ASK QUESTIONS Show your interest! Show your interviewer you want the job and prepare questions to ask.

IS IT FOR YOU?

Sport can be a challenging environment. It can seem glamorous, but sport can involve unsociable hours and unique situations. Think long and hard if you’re prepared to work hard.

C on sid er yo ur st re ng th s an d we ak ne ss es .

Y ou wi ll be as ke d!

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2016 GET INTO SPORT 61

123RF Photos: Yuliya Tsyhun; Dean Drobot ; Stokkete; g-stockstudio; Bacho12345

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CAREERS ADVICE

Read all about it Do ing a sp ort s de gr ee at un ive rs ity ? Ch an ce s ar e yo u’ll ne ed on e or mo re of th es e tom es in yo ur lif e.. .

ABOUT HUMAN KINETICS Our mission is to produce innovative, informative products in all areas of physical activity that help people worldwide lead healthier and more active lives.

Human Kinetics is committed to providing quality informational and educational products in the physical activity and health fields that meet the needs of our diverse customers.

Within the physical activity field, recreational and organised sports are a major focus.

Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning with Web Resource, 4th Edition Price: £74.49 Developed by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and now in its fourth edition, this is the essential guide for strength and conditioning students. This bestselling comprehensive resource explains the key theories, concepts and scientific principles, as well as their direct application to athletic competition and performance.

62 GET INTO SPORT 2016

Research Methods in Physical Activity, 7th Edition Price: £78.99 Research Methods in Physical Activity returns in its seventh edition.

This bestseller is the essential guide for all emerging researchers in physical activity.

It offers step-bystep details for every aspect of the research process, and provides guidelines for conducting and compiling research that ensure you feel both confident and capable.

Physiology of Sport and Exercise with Web Resource, 6th Edition Price: £78.49 This new sixth edition provides an understanding of the body’s ability to perform various types of exercises.

Photos and medical illustrations offer a high level of detail to help illustrate how the body responds to physical activity, while unique learning features help you discover the fascinating field in depth. Dynamic and interactive elements make this an invaluable resource.

Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise with Web Resource, 3rd Edition Price: £91.49 This 3rd Edition presents exercise and science biomechanics in simple terms.

By providing mechanics before functional anatomy, it helps you to understand forces and their effects before studying how the body deals with them. This practical approach combines striking visuals with clear language to encourage active learning and a better understanding.

101 Classroom Games Price: £15.99 101 Classroom Games enables teachers to create a stimulating learning environment where students undertake tasks and solve problems by interacting with their surroundings, other students and you. The games provide a great alternative to traditional methods of learning and assessment. Most of all, the games do just what you’d like them to do: help your students learn, improve their skills and enjoy the education process.

Postural Assessment Price: £24.99 This guide is one of the only resources that offers complete discussion on the topic of postural assessment to support practitioners and students. It is an essential guide for students of massage therapy, physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic and sports medicine.

Postural Assessment features expert tips and instructional photographs to help build your skill knowledge.

Periodization, 5th Edition Price: £47.99 The fifth edition combines the concepts of periodisation and training theory with contemporary advances in sport science, physiology and coaching. The book guides you with expertise from leading professionals in the field. Periodization teaches you the principles, objectives and components of a successful longterm training programme and planning the right programmes for performance goals.

Sport Marketing, 4th Edition Price: £78.49 This bestselling guide has been updated with the latest information and issues in the competitive world of sport marketing.

It provides you with a better understanding of the theories that make sports marketing such a unique and vibrant subject. The book guides you through details of how fans, players, coaches, the media and companies interact with the sport industry.

Sport Nutrition, 2nd Edition Price: £72.99 This second edition presents the principles, background and rationale for current nutrition guidelines specifically for athletes. The comprehensive resource provides an in-depth look at the science behind sports nutrition.

You’ll come away with a great understanding of nutrition and how it relates to sport and its influence on performance, training and recovery.

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