Students support grassroots football during placement

Students from our sport science courses supported Parkfield FC this season during placement.

Parkfield FC were established in 1970 and are part of the East Sussex Football League. They are one of the longest-standing teams in the county and their manager has been at the helm since day one, currently in his 53^rd season!

The eight students studying Sport and Exercise Science BSc and Strength and Conditioning MSc spent a total of 400 hours with the club. They supported a range of activities including coaching, GPS analysis, strength and conditioning and social media activity.

Whilst on placement, they regularly monitored the training loads of the players to minimise the risk of injury, provided weekly strength-based training programmes for match preparation, implemented coaching principles, and have helped contribute to the spirit, work ethic and social aspects of the club.

They also provided an entertaining yet professional Twitter feed to help raise their presence on social media during matchdays!

Although they only came fifth in their division this season, Parkfield stormed to a 4-0 victory over Sovereign Saints FC in the Eastbourne FA Junior Cup final. The winning team included many of our current University of Brighton students and former graduates.

Adam Smith, third-year Sport and Exercise Science student and player said: “It’s been a real pleasure to be part of Parkfield this season”.

“When my placement began, I was excited to suggest ideas to the lads. I felt they had taken to me well and were very helpful throughout the whole process”.

“The season has had some great yet also challenging moments on the pitch, characterised with some big wins, and taking some heavy losses. All of them are memories that will stay with me forever”.

“Overall, it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve had at university, and I advocate this for all students.”

The placement hours were coordinated and mentored by Bill Norton who is a lab technician and a BASES supervised sport and exercise scientist within our sport science labs – Bill is also Chairman of the club and a player!

Bill said: “I’m so proud of the students who were on placement with the club. Their support has not only benefitted local community sport, but they have developed their interpersonal and professional skills during the year.

“Real-life experiences like this look great on a CV and will help put the students in a good position at graduation.

“Parkfield FC has provided an enjoyable environment for our students, whether on placement or as players, to be able to express themselves, learn, enhance their professional development, and have an experience they will look back on and smile at for many years to come.”

Some of the team including Adam and Bill were also interviewed as part of Carling’s we love sport campaign to support grassroots football. Watch the film on YouTube and apologies for the bleeps!

Find out how you can study sport and exercise at Brighton.