ISSUE5
SPRING 2016 EDITION
WELCOME
Welcome to the latest edition of SENSE! The start of semester 2 is an exciting and challenging time for Sport and Exercise students. Undergraduate students are starting new modules, continuing with placements and gathering and acting on feedback from assessments completed in semester 1. For those in their final year of study, their dissertation is a key focus. Many of the aforementioned activities require the ability to communicate well and present a positive image of one’s self and Staffordshire University to external partners. Aside from the subject specific and academic competences that
SENSE SPORT AND EXERCISE NEWS, STORIES AND EVENTS
a Sport and Exercise degree develop, these ‘soft skills’ are central to graduate employability. This edition of Sense captures many examples of where Sport and Exercise students are taking opportunities to develop and apply these skills through their studies and links to partners and employers. Of particular note in this edition is the recent visit of Visiting Fellow David Sutton and the launch of the Stoke-on-Trent as the 2016 European City of Sport. James Capper School of Psychology, Sport and Exercise
Soccer - the Global Game from Shanghai to Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire University and Stoke City FC have won a prestigious £350,000 British Council bid to run a three month training programme next summer for Chinese football coaches. Up to 60 Chinese Coaches will be living, learning and training at our Stoke Campus and Stoke City FC training ground from July 2016. The training programme was announced by the British Council is is part of a Chinese Government initiative to grow football in China. Currently there are 5000 soccer schools in mainland China and this will grow to an incredible 50,000 by 2020. Nigel Lee from Staffordshire University International office commented “Thirty eight bids were submitted by UK institutions and we were one of only three successful bids which shows the quality
of our submission. We were successful because our proposal was unique linking the applied coaching of Stoke City FC with the academic discipline of the University” Angela Smith of Stoke City Community Trust said “we have a great working partnership with Staffordshire University and have been looking for a big project to work on for some time in China. This is an ideal opportunity for us to work together bringing a little bit of China to the Potteries.“ The coaches will undertake an intensive three month programme into all aspects of football coaching and undertake FA football qualifications, use the latest equipment in Staffs University labs including GPS and Prozone analysis tools as part of their training.
Head of School of Psychology Sport and Exercise Dr Peter Jones add. “This will not only bring a global feel to our campus and the student experience but will continue to grow our relationship with Stoke City in the Far East market. It is great that this will be held in the year Stoke has been named European City of Sport in the City” As part of the programme there will be lots of opportunities for our students to be involved over the summer working and volunteering with the coaches and Stoke City. More information will be published in SENSE and on our blog over the next few months.
SENSE
2015 Sports Therapy Graduates
Breaking into Football 2015 BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy graduates Matt Roach, Saffron Mann and Chris Loughran have all recently gained employment in elite football. In what is an incredibly competitive industry to gain work, these three graduates have shown the value that being a Staffordshire Graduate can bring by beating other, sometimes more experienced, candidates to these roles. Matt has begun with Championship side MK Dons, taking up a role as the Academy Sports Therapist. This role will see Matt working with all the Academy teams up to the under 15 age group team. Matt’s duties require him to provide pre-match and pitchside care, attend training sessions and oversee the rehabilitation of these players. Recent graduates through the MK Dons Academy have included players such as Dele Ali who was recently sold to Tottenham Hotspur and gone on to earn full England International honours. On landing his role Matt said “I think the placements that i had while at Staffs with a professional football team helped me get this job. The exposure to these big names environments during the course well as being a good experience only help your CV on graduating”. Chris has recently been employed by the Irish Football Association to provide Sports Therapy provision for the Northern Ireland under 19’s side. Earlier this month Chris travelled with the squad on a trip to Iceland, providing the medical
support during two friendly fixtures against their hosts, one resulting in a 2-0 defeat and the other a 1-0 victory. Chris who was awarded the Contribution Award Prize in his final year of study said of this experience “Thankfully there were no major incidents to deal with on this trip, and all the players have remained fit for selection. As an Irishman this has absolutely surreal experience being given the opportunity to come on board and work with an international team. I’ve worked with a few football teams before but never had the opportunity to travel to various countries around the world so being given this opportunity has been truly amazing topped off by being able to see the Northern Lights and Blue Lagoon during the down time on to the trip.”
Chris Loughran in Ireland
Chris will be travelling away again with the side ahead of the Under 19 European Championships in Russia. The team take on Norway in the opening group stage match before playing Russia and Slovakia. Finally Saffron Mann has also been appointed Academy Sports Therapist with Shrewsbury Town Football Club, having impressed during her time on placement with the club. Saffron now works with 7 teams in total, ranging from U9 - U16 (boys) and the Shrewsbury Town Ladies teams. Like Matt, Saffron provides the pitchside emergency trauma during fixtures and runs a clinic during their training sessions covering everything from injury assessment to progressing rehab programmes.
Saffron Mann at Shrewsbury Town
These graduates, alongside previous reported student employments in football further illustrate the growth in strength and reputation of the BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy programme, which is one
of only two Sports Therapy programmes to gain 100% overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey earlier this year.
SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY, SPORT AND EXERCISE
2016 and looking forward to being
European City of Sport January is a time for resolutions and we often make ones to get fitter and healthier. As Stoke-on-Trent starts its years at the European City of Sport there is even more reason and opportunity to get active and stay fit. Over the next year there will be new and exciting sporting opportunities across the City, as well as branding and rebranding of existing sports events which will raise their profile and encourage participation. New events include a City triathlon race and a mass participation 5km event are just two that have been revealed by the Local Organising Committee. The highly successful Street Games, that started in the City and spread nationwide, will be expanded further and a range of outdoor pursuit equipment will be purchased such as a canoes and a mobile climbing wall to encourage slightly differing sporting participation in the regions younger population. These are just some of the many sporting opportunities that will be announced at the opening ceremony at the end of January.
Although the City of sport is just for 2016 a two year legacy plan is also being put in place to continue to momentum created by the City of Sport Year. Many of the events and activities have been made possible by the £3.5 million budget provided by Stokeon-Trent City Council over the next three years as well as funding from Sport England and various sponsors. Chris Austin, Events and Commercial Manager for Sport and Leisure Services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been working with Councillor Terry Follows, Cabinet Member for Greener City, Development and Leisure who said, “The economic and social value of physical activity and sport in Stoke-on-Trent, and the surrounding area, is immense. Though our European City of Sport 2016 status, we can galvanise and maximise these benefits
among partners, communities and local people. Next year will be a showcase of combined efforts and achievement in sport, both locally and on the world stage. It will be a catalyst to increase participation at every level; to promote an active and healthy lifestyle that is accessible to everyone, and to confirm and enhance the city’s status as a key destination for sport.” Dr Peter Jones, Head of the School of Sport and Exercise at Staffordshire University said as one of the many partners for City of Sport we are very keen to support the sport and physical programme. We know that if we can use participation in sport to increase physical activity then it makes a massive difference to peoples physical and mental wellbeing. Sport is an incredibly powerful tool that changes people’s lives. We know that we have some appalling health issues in the region that we directly relates to having a sedentary lifestyle. City of Sport is a great opportunity to get the inactive active and start to change the health of this great City of ours.”
Strength and Conditioning Guru David Sutton joins Staffordshire University as a Visiting Fellow David, who is a long time friend of the University and delivered a Masters Class to the Strength and Conditioning Fast Track Degree students last year, has recently been appointed the Head of Strength and Conditioning at the Chinese Institute of Sport in Shanghai, having formerly worked for Northampton County Cricket Club. He brings with him a wealth of experience having worked in a wide range of elite sports and athletes including two times World Superbike Champion James Toseland, UK Taekwondo and British triathlon
We are pleased to announce that David Sutton will be joining Staffordshire University as a Visiting Fellow in Strength and Conditioning.
Strength and Conditioning lead in the Sport and Exercise Department Phil walker said “David Sutton’s journey ascending the strength and conditioning stairway has seen him climb from humble beginnings to world champions. Yet his philosophy remains the same regardless of the status of the athlete; he has an elite work ethic, elite knowledge base and an elite coaching ability. He is deservedly considered therefore elite within the field of S&C. Now as a visiting fellow, David has displayed an appetite and
excitement to help develop those aspiring to follow in his footsteps through the BSc Sport Strength and Conditioning (Fast Track) award. His contagious enthusiasm to help others will be a huge benefit to all whom he teaches. This is an outstanding opportunity for our students. David Sutton adds “I am honoured to be joining Staffordshire University as Visiting Fellow. The University is clearly making remarkable strides in its development and this is particularly true within sport. The refurbished sports performance facilities including the Matrix supported Strength Lab are particularly impressive. In my new role in China I look forward to providing unique insights and opportunities for students of Staffordshire University as well as collaborate on world class sports performance research.” In his Visiting Fellow role David will add to the student learning and bring real world experience by delivering workshops, in-line sessions, lectures and writing pieces for our SENSE blog.
SENSE
TEAM STAFFS ELITE enters second year of intake Now in its second year, the Team Staffs Elite Athlete Programme, led by Jonathan Pace and Dr Lynne Duval is providing support to student athletes competing at regional, national and international level. Supported by Matrix Fitness, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Sport Across Staffordshire & Stokeon-Trent, the programme gives students access to a number of high level workshops designed to improve not only their sporting ability but also to help ensure they gain the best from their Staffordshire University experience academically. The second cohort of 11 athletes was selected off the back of a successful application process that saw the number of applications for the programme triple from the previous year. This year’s athletes now have the opportunity to access physiological testing, on-going sports psychology support, S&C coaching, sports therapy and nutrition advice. All the workshops are led by the Sport and Exercise academic team, who are nationally/internationally renowned within these fields. The athletes are also able to access their very own academic support, with Lynne Duval operating as a liaison-tutor who can offer advice on handling the pressure of being a competitive athlete and juggling the intricacies of student life. Additional support comes in the way of free gym membership at the University’s recently refurbished state of the art gym, training and competition kit and a financial contribution to competition entry fees and travel and accommodation whilst representing Staffordshire University. The sports that this year’s athletes represent shows the diverse nature of Staffordshire University with archery, badminton, swimming, volleyball, athletics, track cycling and golf all sitting very comfortably with one of the UK’s fastest growing sports, Ultimate Frisbee. This year’s Team Staffs Elite group consists of:
Student
Sport
Standard
Rachael Nayake
Sprint Hurdler
National
Ben Wells
Swimmer
Regional
Ryan Clay
Swimmer
Regional
Stefan Cowley
Volleyball
National
Kyle Collier
Archery
National
Kate Holt
Cross Country
International
Andy Lewis
Ultimate Frisbee
International
Ben Bruin
Ultimate Frisbee
National
Shaun Mayer
Track Cycling
National
Alex Carter
Golf
Regional
Andy Aspinal
Badminton
National
SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY, SPORT AND EXERCISE
Internal v External Work Placements for Undergraduate Students Within sport and exercise, we offer a number of work placement opportunities for our students. For instance, students studying for a BA in Sport Development and Coaching and for a BSc in PE in Youth Sport Coaching undertake an external placement, often organised within a local school, sports club or sports council. Students studying for a BSc in Sports Therapy also undertake a placement with an external company, such as with a sports team or sports therapist, but in addition, are allowed to make up their placement hours by working in SUST (Staffordshire University Sports Therapy), which is a student-run sports therapy clinic located at the University. For students studying for a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, there is an internal placement that students can do through Peak Condition, which, similar to SUST, is a student-run service, providing sports science support (fitness testing and advice) to external clientele. We wished to see whether the internal placements were as valuable and as beneficial as the external placements that we were offering. We, therefore, undertook a study to investigate students’ perceptions of the value, impact, benefits and disadvantages of the external placements versus the internal placements.
Based on student perceptions, placements, regardless of whether they were internal or external:
Regarding internal versus external placements, based on the data collected in our study:
• Enhanced future employment, because: - students felt that employers were more likely to view their placements favourably, irrespective of whether the placement was any good or not; - placements provided career links with valued external employers/individuals
• External placements were deemed to ‘look’ better to the employer than internal placements.
• Gave students career insight, since: - real-world experience was gained, and - the placement provided students with an opportunity to reinforce or re-evaluate their career aspirations • Allowed students to gain and put into practice a variety of skills and experiences (such as job-specific skills, confidence, communication skills, and gave them the skills needed to enhance their grades). • Allowed students to build relationships.
Sport and Performance
On Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th December the Sport and Performance Psychology Team attended the Division of Sport and Exercise Conference at the Queens Hotel in Leeds. Across the two-day programme Staffordshire University were the most represented University in terms of the number of sessions led. Here’s what the team got up to….
• If the internal placement involved some kind of external clientele, then career links were deemed sufficient. • Internal placement students could see the link between theory and practice more clearly, especially if the internal placement had been set up specifically for this purpose. • Advantages of internal placements are that students do not have to find their own placement, and they are cost effective in terms of travel and possibly time. • Internal placements allow students, who need it, to be supported. • Internal placements improve relationships between students and between tutors and students.
Psychology Team at DSEP
Monday kicked off with Associate Professor Jamie Barker beginning his reign as Chair of the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Following this PhD Scholar Andrew Wood led the way with a “five minute challenge” presentation (with no slides!) on whether irrational beliefs are helpful or a hindrance for performance. The team were involved in six poster presentations during day one, before Dr. Matt Slater chaired a symposium in the afternoon on recent developments in social identity leadership research. The symposium included four presentations with colleagues from Staffs University and across the UK. On Tuesday, PhD Scholar Joe Dixon followed Andrew’s lead with an insightful five minute challenge presentation on coaches’ perceptions of psychological resilience in elite academy football. Following this, Dr. Martin Turner, Dr. Jamie Barker, and Andrew Wood facilitated an interactive workshop on implementing Rational-Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) in professional performance
settings. The team were involved in one poster presentation on day two before MSc alumni student Sam Cumming closed the conference with a great presentation of his work with Dr. Martin Turner and Prof. Marc Jones on temporal changes in elite rowers’ challenge and threat appraisals. It was a great team effort with two x 5 minute challenge presentations, one symposium, one workshop, five presentations, and seven poster presentations. Not forgetting Dr. Jamie Barker becoming chair of the Division. Exciting times lay ahead for Sport and Performance Psychology at Staffs.
SENSE
MSc Applied Research in Sport and Exercise The MSc by Applied Research can be designed by you to meet your career and research aspirations. Key features The course consist of five modules which you can tailor for your study, research and career needs. These are:
GIVE YOURSELF THE POSTGRAD EDGE
A subject specific or negotiated module of your choice Publishing, Presenting and Exhibiting Applied Experience Issues, Ethics, and Methods in Research Independent Major project
STAFFS.AC.UK/POSTGRADUATE
New Staffs Sport and Exercise PhD Student Jenni Jones explains why she left Thailand for Stoke-on-Trent to read for her doctorate in Sports Psychology I had made the move from my then home in Bangkok Thailand to Staffordshire to study with the best in my field of Sport and Performance Psychology here at Staffordshire University. I came to study psychology as an undergraduate a little late but when I look back psychology and the human mind have always fascinated me. Life has initially took me on another path but eventually I found my way back and embarked on my under graduate degree before embarking on my Masters via distance learning in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Staffordshire University. The MSc program offered me a win-win since I could stay in Thailand and still pursue an MSc which also gave me my stage 1 training towards becoming a charted Sport and Exercise Psychologist, the icing on the cake
though is that the Sport Psychology team are leading in the field currently producing great and exciting research and taking the profession forward. Having completed the MSc in 2014 I was determined to continue my studies and selffund a PhD. My Master’s degree had ignited a passion for research in the field and the scope for really helping people became apparent to me, but this time I wanted to be a part of the culture, to experience the experimental research process within the lab and to be amongst the culture on a daily basis so I moved nearby and haven’t looked back. First as a PhD student, I was both nervous and excited. My supervisors (Dr Jamie Barker and Dr Martin Turner) greeted me and made sure I had everything I needed to go and
get on with it all, introduced me and made sure that everything was going ok. I had my apprehensions about the move but it has turned out to be the best decision I have ever made and my supervisors have been amazing! The team here at Staffs provide an encouraging growth culture. We want to achieve excellent standards of work that aim to have a wide ranging impact on people’s lives, it’s a privilege to study here.
If you are interested in studying our MSc in Sports Psychology or Applied Sport Psychology by distance learning take a look at our website course page, where you can also find information on our on-campus MSc Applied Research and MA Applied Research that you can study in any Sport, exercise or Psychology related subject and details of self-funded PhD and our research opportunities.
SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY, SPORT AND EXERCISE
Update from our Peak Condition Clinic In only its second year of operation, the Peak Condition Clinic continues to go from strength to strength. Over the past two years we have had close to 150 clients use the Peak Condition Clinic for a whole host of fitness tests ranging from to bone health assessments. Clients have ranged from elite athletes aiming to improve performance to individuals looking to improve overall health and well-being. We have also held Sport and Exercise Physiology workshops for A level and BTEC students. These workshops have showcased how physiological monitoring can be used for athlete development and aim to inspire the next generation for sport and exercise science students to study at Staffordshire University. The success of the Peak Condition Clinic would not have occurred without the dedication and continued support of our sport and exercise science students. Students across all levels of the sport and exercise science degrees have volunteered to take part in the clinic this year. Under the supervision of academic and technical staff, students have administered health and fitness tests to clients comprising elite road cyclists, elite 1500 m runners, club-level triathletes, recreational marathon runners, and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. The opportunities gained from working in the clinic have not only allowed students to test elite athletes, but also enabled them to put the theoretical and practical knowledge gained from their studies into practice. These experiences can only serve to enhance students learning and their job prospects once they have successfully completed their degree.
Selected notable clients who have visited the clinic over the last year include:
Mike Cuming
a professional road cyclist riding for CharterMason Giant in Australia
Joe Evans
a professional road cyclist riding for Madison Genesis
Alice Cobb and Lucy Shaw
professional road cyclist riding for Matrix Fitness
Rebecca Rimmington
professional road cyclist riding for Team WNT
Simon Wilson
elite cyclist riding for Team Polypipe
Ben Joughin
elite cyclist riding for Pro Vision
Fiona Prew
elite time trial cyclist who finished 6th in the 2015 world amateur time-trial championships and 18th (4th British rider) in the world amateur road race championships
Kate Holt
elite 1500m runner who recently represented England in cross-country running
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Peak Condition Clinic is responsible for the aerobic fitness testing of existing and newly recruited firefighters in the Staffordshire region
ISSUE5
GIVE YOURSELF THE POSTGRAD EDGE
MA By Applied Research in Sport and Exercise The MA by Applied Research in Sport and Exercise can be designed by you to meet your career and research aspirations. Key features The course consist of five modules which you can tailor for your study, research and career needs. These are: A subject specific or negotiated module of your choice Publishing, Presenting and Exhibiting Applied Experience Issues, Ethics, and Methods in Research Independent Major project
STAFFS.AC.UK/POSTGRADUATE
OPEN DAY DATES
Open Days are a great way to find out more about the courses you are interested in and to see what university life will be like. Come and see us at one of our next open days.
Saturday 13 February 2016 Saturday 19 March 2016
HAVE A STORY?
We are always looking to share news from the School of Psychology, Sport and Exercise from students and staff. If you have a story you would like to share please email: psemarketing@staffs.ac.uk
Join the conversation We have a number of Twitter accounts within Sport and Exercise that you can follow to join in the conversation. @peakcondition @SUSTClinic
Sport and Exercise Sport & Exercise Psychology
@StaffsUniSport @SEPsychStaffs M8001
Sports Science Clinic Sports Therapy