UCB sports students boost coaching credentials on FA course

Sports students at University College Birmingham have boosted their coaching credentials after completing a Football Association course provided by UCB staff.

A group of 14 students successfully obtained the FA Level 1 Award in Coaching Football following a series of workshops held at the Avery Fields sports hub, which UCB uses in partnership with Bournville RFC.

It's the first time the University has offered the FA programme for those on higher education courses, with students from BA Sport and Fitness Studies, BA Sports Management and BSc Sports Therapy taking part, while they were also joined by Level 3 Sport students.

The course featured a combination of classroom-based theory and practical activities, with students challenged to deliver fun, safe and engaging practice sessions, as well as learning about safeguarding and first aid.

First year BSc Sports Therapy student Kacper Bolon said: "I thought this would be a great course to teach me the basics of coaching and working with sporting individuals, which I'm planning to undertake as part of my career.

"The overall experience was both educational and enjoyable. The course taught me about what great coaching looks like and how I could apply it in my sports therapy career, while I managed to observe different coaching styles, which inspired me and gave me ideas that I will most definitely utilise in the near future.

"The safeguarding session gave us an insight into the real world of coaching and our responsibility as coaches," Kacper added. "The skills from our first aid training could also potentially help us in the future to save someone's life.

"I would greatly recommend this course as it's the very basics of coaching that many people don't know about, yet should in order to step up their game as coaches."

Most of the sessions were delivered by hired@UCB employability tutor Martyn Phillips, who is also an FA affiliate tutor.

"As an employability tutor, I recognise the value of students completing National Governing Body qualifications," said Martyn. "These qualifications open doors for paid employment opportunities and help to enhance a CV.

"It was great to get these young people started on their coaching journey and I look forward to delivering more courses at UCB in the future."

UCB offers opportunities for sports students to boost their CVs with a range of industry-accredited qualifications in addition to their main college or university course.

For more information about the FA Level 1 Award in Coaching or to register your interest in completing football coaching qualifications, please contact Martyn Phillips at m.phillips1@ucb.ac.uk.

Find out more about the full range of sport courses and qualifications offered at UCB's School of Sport and Creative Services here.