Getting into the Sport Science Industry- A Fresh Perspective

By Ben Smalley BSc, MSc (Sep 2020), A.S.C.C (ongoing)

Having secured my first role in academy football in June 2019, working alongside Ciaran and Ross at QPR F.C. I thought I’d share some of my experiences and some tips, in the hope to help some young coaches along their way into this field:

‘Getting Your Hands Dirty’

Firstly, I wanted to start with this piece of advice. Whether you are at school/university etc, there is no better time to take action than right now. I believe it’s hugely beneficial to gain exposure to as many coaches, athletes and sports as possible, as soon as you can. At the end of a brief spell at an English football club during my university summer holiday, the S&C coach gave me some memorable advice – “get your hands dirty”. He stressed the importance of gaining ‘coaching hours’, practicing your craft and being around athletes.

Around that time, I trained at a local gym, attached to a tennis academy. I had been chatting to the lead S&C coach over a number of months explaining my interest in the field and discussing various things S&C. I later asked if I could come along and observe some of his sessions and he was more than happy to help a young coach out. Taking notes and asking questions, soon led to regular practical coaching.

Following on from the previous advice, going into my second year I secured an internship with a county cricket academy. This ended up spanning over two years, coaching 4-5 days a week. This then helped a successful application within my universities’ performance centre, in which I coached across a number of sports under two different coaches. This may not have been possible if I hadn’t acquired that initial experience within tennis. As you can see, experiences soon add up and in the space of two years I had accumulated numerous coaching hours, across multiple sports, supporting different age groups.

By supporting a variety of coaches, you get different perspectives and ideas on coaching as everyone has their own biases. From this you are forced to think critically, question ideas and come to your own conclusions.

It is those hours, planning and delivering sessions, which prepared me for my current role now. It surprises me how many graduates leave university and haven’t been exposed to ‘hands on’ coaching and this is one of the biggest issues I think universities have. Getting this experience allows you to experiment, make mistakes and learn from them. If you get this out the way as a student, you’re better prepared to not make the same mistakes when you get your first role. So, go out, offer your services and network and you never know where this may lead. 

Finding a Mentor

This next point blends nicely with my previous, as you network and put yourself out there, you will naturally build relationships within the industry. Finding a mentor allows you to discuss experiences, allowing them to point you in the right direction with resources and advice for your craft. The earlier you can do this, the quicker you can develop.

Using Social Media to Your Advantage

There are definitely pro’s and con’s to social media. However, I think it can be used as a great tool for up and coming coaches. One thing I have used it for in recent years is increasing my insight into a range of philosophies, coaching techniques, exercise selection and rationale, which you can then add to your own coaching arsenal. However, don’t just take the exercise and run with it. Digest a range of information, critically analyse where it may fit into your exercise progressions and establish the ‘WHY’ behind using it.

Below is a small list of various twitter/Instagram accounts you may wish to go and explore –

Reading material:

In addition to your studies and/or professional development, I would highly recommend consistent reading to further your knowledge on all things S&C and sports science.

Attached is a graphical example of some great reads and further below is a list of other excellent books.

• Supertraining: Yuri V Verkhoshansky and Mel Siff
• High performance training for sport: David Joyce and Daniel Lewindon
• Advanced strength and conditioning: Anthony Turner and Paul Comfort
• Movement over maxes: Zach Dechant
• Functional training for sports: Michael Boyle
• Mladen Jovanovic: Strength training manual
• Charlie Francis: Speed trap

The Importance of Accreditation’s

As well as ensuring your knowledge and level of expertise is of a high standard through the avenues mentioned above, it is equally as important to ensure you C.V does not fall at the first hurdle. One of the criteria employers are asking for is the relevant accreditation qualification. For strength and conditioning coaches in the U.K and Ireland this would be the U.K.S.C.A, or N.S.C.A. in America. For sport scientists it is becoming more prevalent now to have BASES accreditation, or at least be enrolled on the supervised experience pathway. Therefore, I would advise being engaged and committed to these pathways to maximise your employability and education.

Conclusion:

Hopefully I’ve stressed the importance of gaining coaching hours, constantly learning and attempting to apply this. However, this is all underpinned by working hard and there is no substitute for that. Your first internship may require you to travel further than is ideal, but it’s this that’s going to put you ahead of your peers. Don’t take short cuts, show up, be reliable, work hard, plan meticulously and it will eventually pay off.

Twitter : @bensmalleyy

Email : [email protected]