St Mary's University, Twickenham kicked off its Open Evening in style on December 1st 2016 showcasing the new Football Education, Coaching and Development foundation degree programme in collaboration with Chelsea FC Foundation.
The standard model of academic staff presenting the degree programme to prospective students in a lecture hall was subbed off, for an updated approach, which embodied many of the degree's core pedagogical values.
Amy Price, Programme Coordinator, delivered a live coaching event in the Performance Hall with Chelsea FC Girl's Regional Talent Centre under 10 players. Amy delivered a session demonstrating her doctoral research; using a video game approach to coaching football.
Amy explained, "We decided it was a necessity for academic staff to showcase application of what and how we propose for students to study on the degree programme. Hopefully this approach to open days will better engage prospective students, and truly demonstrate what we are about as a degree programme"
This event was in collaboration with The Football Association, where Amy is a Coach Mentor working to support female coaches and increase girl's football participation in Surrey. Kat Browne, who is a female grassroots coach and Chelsea FC Foundation coach, supported Amy with the event.
Speaking of the Open Evening Kat said, "As a coach with an aspiration to make coaching a career, I really enjoyed the challenge of this event. I hope that it will show other female coaches that there are plenty of opportunities to develop, and that having a good support network is key".
Whilst Amy and Kat were coaching, FA County Coach Developer, Peter Augustine and FA Regional Mentor Officer, Kevin England interacted with observing coaches on the sideline.
The Open Evening event was open to all members of the Surrey FA's Female Coaches Club, and acted as three hours CPD for coaches to add to their record.
Amy explains, "We specifically targeted this open day for female prospective students. It's very important to both the University, and The FA that female coaches are represented at every level of the game. I feel the degree programme has a big part to play in this, and we hope to continue our link with The County FA's to support and educate female coaches."
The next open day event will be in February 2017; watch this space for the next coaching in action event.
Speaking of the Open Evening Kat said, "As a coach with an aspiration to make coaching a career, I really enjoyed the challenge of this event. I hope that it will show other female coaches that there are plenty of opportunities to develop, and that having a good support network is key".
Whilst Amy and Kat were coaching, FA County Coach Developer, Peter Augustine and FA Regional Mentor Officer, Kevin England interacted with observing coaches on the sideline.
The Open Evening event was open to all members of the Surrey FA's Female Coaches Club, and acted as three hours CPD for coaches to add to their record.
Amy explains, "We specifically targeted this open day for female prospective students. It's very important to both the University, and The FA that female coaches are represented at every level of the game. I feel the degree programme has a big part to play in this, and we hope to continue our link with The County FA's to support and educate female coaches."
The next open day event will be in February 2017; watch this space for the next coaching in action event.Media enquiries
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