Meet the sport coaching team

The team at Brighton has a wealth of coaching experience in a wide range of sports. They have worked, and continue to work, for organisations including the English Institute of Sport, The Rugby Football Union and British Tennis.

• Dr Anastasiya Khomutova – course leader
• Dr James Wallis – principal lecturer
• Flo Pietzsch – principal lecturer
• Dan Howells – senior lecturer
• other key members of the team

 

Dr Anastasiya Khomutova – course leader

My career in sport coaching

“I joined the university 2016 after being a visiting lecture for one semester.

“My speciality is sport psychology – helping coaches and athletes to achieve their potential, mental prep for competitions, and building coach-athletes relationships.

“I also work as a sport psychology consultant with amateur and elite athletes – I work with different age groups, 10 year olds and up. My clients range from amateur recreational athletes to Olympic competitors – I have worked with athletes and coaches in preparation for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, the World Transplant Games, Figure Skating World Championships and the Euro Championships.

“I also work with coaches, parents and referees. My clients are based both in the UK and also internationally – speaking four languages helps! The sports I work with include triathlon, figure skating, tennis, different combat sports, and many more.”

My research

“My area is cultural sport psychology. In my research I focus on transitions that athletes and coaches go through when they immigrate, and how this impacts coach-athlete relationships. I also research how concept of safeguarding is understood in different cultural contexts.

“I am part of the research department in FEPSAC (European Federation of Sport Psychology) where I was recently re-elected for a second term. There I lead an international research project on career trajectories of applied sport psychologists in Europe.”

Teaching sport coaching is a pleasure

“Our students are very passionate about coaching, which in my opinion is one of the most important qualities for a coach. My biggest pleasure is to see how they grow, mature and develop as coaches throughout their university journey.”

My teaching style

“Learning is a journey that I take on with my students. My style is student-centred – it is important for me to let students express themselves and help them to formulate their arguments.

“I consider myself a mentor, that helps them throughout their university journey. I also aim to help students to identify their strengths and focus on them, as opposed to fixating on any weaknesses they might have.”

Why sport coaching at Brighton is special

“We are a group of passionate lecturers, who have a lot of practical experience.

“Many of us work outside of the university with athletes, teams, and coaches, which makes our teaching and research much better. We complement each other very well, mixing our expertise to benefit our students.

“We combine theoretical modules with practical activities, so our students can apply what they have learnt in practice.”

My advice on starting your sport coaching degree

“By studying sport coaching at Brighton, you are investing in your future to become the best coach you can be.

“Take this opportunity to improve your theoretical knowledge, but more importantly to get hands-on experience in coaching and to meet like-minded people who might become your friend for life.”

Dr James Wallis – principal lecturer

Dr James Wallis joined the University of Brighton in 2001 having previously worked as a teacher and a college lecturer. His first role at Brighton was lecturing in physical education. He wrote the Sport Coaching BSc(Hons) 2007-08 and was its course leader from 2009 until 2022.

My career in sport coaching

“Prior to joining the University of Brighton I spent many years working part-time in coaching alongside my teaching job. Most of this experience was within youth county coaching programmes, mainly cricket.”

“I currently carry out coaching and coach development work right across the performance spectrum. This includes voluntary work within junior cricket up to supporting coach development in professional cricket.

“I have also recently worked with a professional ski racer who competes at World Cup level.

“My areas of expertise cut across all sports, hence why my experiences are diverse. My main area of work is in my ultimate passion though – cricket!”

My research

“I would describe myself as an academic-practitioner, or academic translator.

“I see my role as cascading research findings and helping coaches permeate them into their practice. For too long there has been a disconnect between research and practice which leaves little enhanced coaching or sport performance.

“As a result my academic time is spent writing books which draw theory / research and practice in ways which are accessible to people working on the front line of coaching.”

Teaching sport coaching is rewarding

“The most rewarding is when students commit to opening their minds to new ideas and new ways of thinking. Most of this comes from helping them appreciate new knowledge and principles of practice which move them on from traditional approaches.

“The course was designed as a marriage between theory and practice so when students are able to apply course content into their own settings it is very rewarding.”

My teaching style

“Holistic! I am committed to educating the whole person and not simply loading up students with technical and theoretical knowledge.

“I am constantly asking students to internalise course content and ask: what does this all mean to me and to my own coaching.”

Why sport coaching at Brighton is special

“The cohort sizes since inception have allowed students and staff to be very closely connected. By the end of year one there is always close working bonds where staff can support individual students.

“Ultimately, we teach students as individuals, this is demonstrated in nearly all core assessments where students build their own interpretations and contexts that inspire their own areas of interest.”

My advice on starting your sport coaching degree

“Come with an open mind and look for diverse experiences across multiple sport, health and activity contexts.”

 

Flo Pietzsch – principal lecturer

My career in sport coaching

“I worked as a sports science officer between 2000-2008 for the University of Brighton and then left to work with British Tennis for nearly six years until returning to the University to teach on various courses.

“At British Tennis I supported athletes like Heather Watson, Sonay Kartal, Katie Boulter and was the lead strength and conditioning coach for Great Britain Fed Cup team. The role involved supporting athletes on a daily basis through training blocks and competitions abroad.

“I also worked for the English Institute of Sport for over three years which supported athletes representing Great Britain at the Olympics and World Championships. This role supported a multitude of sports including hockey, cricket, sprint track cycling, squash, triathlon, badminton and modern pentathlon.

“I coached Eastbourne Hockey club for 10 years achieving several promotions and made significant gains in club memberships, including the development between the club and the University itself.

“I continue to undertake strength and conditioning coaching with local junior tennis players as well as professional player Sonay Kartal who has risen from 1,000 to inside the top 200 in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings within the last year.”

My research

“I have a particular interest in youth physical development and have written several book chapters in academic textbooks.”

Teaching sport coaching

“I enjoy using my experiences to help support the future coaches in their own developments as a coach.”

My teaching style

“My teaching tends to be focused around certain academic themes which are brought to life though real-life scenarios and situations which help prepare students for their future careers.”

Why sport coaching at Brighton is special

“The University of Brighton has great facilities to learn in with a very large array of experts from a multitude of specialisms.

“The courses are all focused towards developing individuals to become industry ready whilst also ensuring students learn all the key skills and knowledge to become successful no matter which direction they decide upon whether that is strength and conditioning, community sport coaching, performance analysis, nutrition and so on. There are many ways and directions that the course can be tailored to.”

My advice on starting your sport coaching degree

“Although a sports coaching degree will always have a certain amount of practical activity it is important to realise it is a science degree and requires development across a multitude of subject matters. The philosophy we want to instil in our students is that of a growth mindset and an attitude that its ok to find certain subject matter tricky or challenging that that this simply resembles areas that require more time to become competent.

“The step to higher education is quite large and requires a high level of discipline and self motivation. Students arrive with various levels of coaching experiences across a wide array of differing sports. We are not expecting you to have all the skill sets and abilities when you arrive but we do expect you to have developed significantly by the time you have graduated. The amount of development is determined by the levels of effort you put in during the three years studying with us but you’ll be glad to know that we will help support you throughout your time with us.”

Dan Howells – senior lecturer

My career in sport coaching

“I re-joined the university in May 2022 after 16 years working in pro sports – I worked at the university of Brighton previously as a sports science consultant.

“My specialities are Strength and Conditioning, and Coaching.  I worked in elite sport at the English Institute of Sport (EIS), The Rugby Football Union and major league baseball.

“At EIS I was a S&C coach, working with a number of Olympians and Paralympians supporting them for London 2012 and Beijing 2008. I then worked at London Wasps and England Rugby 7s, where I was lucky enough to do the Rio 2016 Olympics and more recently the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with Team GB. I also spent 3 years in major league baseball with the Houston Astros

“I continue to consult with the Czech Republic and Japan Rugby Unions as well as working with a coaches from a number of teams and schools. I currently support around 60 coaches across the world 1-1 with their S&C practices through mentorship programmes.”

Sport coaching is very satisfying

“I enjoy the depth of consideration you go into as a coach to ensure you get the best out of your players or athletes. I enjoy problem solving, and helping people work towards their goals.

“There is something very satisfying about seeing people develop and grow as athletes based on the practice and programme design you develop yourself.”

My teaching style

“My teaching style is agile – I think every student needs a different approach.

“I focus on making everything highly relatable for the students, so they can understand why the content we cover and explore has the potential to allow them to create impact on those they coach.”

Why sport coaching at Brighton is special

“The expertise teaching team have a wide array of experiences, that sit outside of teaching, that they can then bring into the classroom. Not many other institutions have that.

My advice on starting your sport coaching degree

“Enjoy and embrace the chaos! This is something that is so unique and enjoyable about coaching. You don’t always know what is going to happen, and planning sessions can be so creative when you learn all of the different ways to help individuals master skills.”