A UCFB student and graduate have landed roles as Performance Analysts at the English Colleges Football Association (ECFA).
Student Adam Keep, and graduate Maria Fernandes, will take on the roles for the upcoming 2021/21 season and provide video analysis of the women’s and men’s national representative teams, as well as support the ECFA with their coverage of various national competitions.
Adam, a BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Management student, and Maria, a MSc Football Coaching & Analysis graduate, will use their skills learnt at UCFB to help the coaches of both sides understand their players better as well as continuing their own individual development.
Adam commented: “Currently in my third year of my degree at UFCB Wembley, I’ve been working and gaining experience in coaching and analysing initially spending some time at Portsmouth FC and for the past year working at Watford FC. I’m specifically interested in the utilisation of technology in the game and I look forward to applying what I have learnt at Portsmouth, Watford and from my amazing lecturers.
“I can’t wait to get started and hopefully hit the pitch running. I feel like this is the start of something big.”
Maria added: "I’m really looking forward to using my experience so far in coaching, performance analysis and scouting to support the work of the ECFA in developing talented young footballers. I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with a great team of committed people who have a wealth of knowledge between them and continue my development as an analyst through using VEO camera and analysis products.”
Ian Barber, Senior Competitions Administrator at AoC Sport, the body that oversees the ECFA, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Maria and Adam to the ECFA National Team. Having a Performance Analyst will further enhance the experience that staff and players get during their time with the squad and once again, our partnership with UCFB has enabled us to find two fantastic individuals to fill the roles. Both have experience in using VEO technology and like all of us, cannot wait to get started when it is safe to do so.”
