Students meet Hull City stars

Football is much more than the players on the pitch.  Football clubs employ professionals in coaching, fan engagement, marketing, therapy, psychology to name just a few. This week we partnered up with Hull City AFC to give our sports, business and science students insightful knowledge into the industry. 

First to share their wisdom, was Andrew Balderston.  Andrew has spent the last 4 years at Hull City as the Head of Medical & Performance Services and it is his job to deliver the medical, sports science and performance analysis protocols, across the first team and the academy. He shared how he communicates and manages and what it takes to successfully integrate evidence-based practice and injury prevention strategies that leads to tangible improvements in first team player availability. Next up was Lee Darbrough, Head of Strategic Analysis & Recruitment., Lee’s career spans across the country, having worked for Norwich, Burnley and West Bromwich Albion.  He implements objective data into the decision-making processes surrounding team and player performance. Lee challenged students to think about what essential and desirable attributes they think is required to achieve their career aspirations and what practices they need to adhere to now to achieve those goals.  It definitely gave them food for thought!

Both highlighted the importance of the hard work and determination that is needed to work in the industry, along with the commitment and teamwork that plays a huge role in their positions.

Finally, students had the opportunity to ask questions to Hull City Football stars Ryan Longman and Jean Michael Seri.  They wanted to know how they handle the ongoing pressure of playing football and the players gave an insight into how they mentally prepare for a game and what they see themselves doing in the future following football.

Students thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon!

This is just one example of the many employer engagement opportunities our students have when studying with Wilberforce Sixth Form College.  For more details on what we have to offer in the sports, business and sciences subjects, click here to browse our course pages.