Four high-flying UCFB BA (Hons) Sports Business & Coaching students were given the exclusive opportunity to observe the England First Team training at St George’s Park National Football Centre as part of the UCFB Complementary CurriculumTM. The trip involved unparalleled access to the England First Team training session ahead of their fixture against Lithuania at Wembley Stadium, home of UCFB Wembley.
The UCFB students were able to observe the coaching methods of Roy Hodgson, England Manager; Gary Neville, England First Team Coach and Ray Lewington, England Assistant Manager, as they put the players through their paces in a two hour training session. The UCFB students and selected members of the world’s media watched on as Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Raheem Sterling and co undertook training techniques that the students are simultaneously studying in the classroom and on the field at UCFB. The England football players greeted each of the students at the end of the morning. This unique experience was followed by a personal tour of the state-of-the-art facilities at The FA’s flagship St George’s Park National Football Centre.
Tom Divver, James Gibb, Will Brown and Chris Hough were selected following recommendations from module leaders and academic staff who took into account their excellent academic and attendance records and the quality of their applications. All four students have also recently completed their FA Level 1 Coaching certificates as part of the additional qualifications that UCFB offer within the Complementary CurriculumTM, positively contributing to their employability upon graduation.
Mike Walsh, Academic Leader of the BA (Hons) Sports Business & Coaching degree, commented:
“This was an incredible opportunity for the students to witness the coaching techniques that they have learned at UCFB being applied at the highest level. It has also provided the inspiration and insight into where their coaching career can lead.”
