Articles4YoungCoaches. #3: University - Dos, Don'ts & Degrees

Intro

Welcome to the third edition of Articles4YoungCoaches. Firstly, I hope you’ve enjoyed the first two articles and found these relatable, informative, and can takeaway some useful information from the issues and experiences discussed. This piece will surround the much debated, hot topic of university.

I thought this would be an interesting subject in regard to offering advice to young, first time coaches. University is not for everyone, many choose to take the university route as soon as they finish school, some have a gap year or two away from education before deciding to attend university, some even attend university in their latter years as a mature student with many choosing not to take this pathway at all.

University is an institution of higher education and research, which awards academic degrees in various academic disciplines. The word university is derived from the Latin universitas magistrorum et scholarium, which roughly translates to "community of teachers and scholars". (You may need to double check that one, I’m not best known for being fluent in Latin). This left me intrigued to discover what impact a “community of teachers and scholars” could have on young, aspiring football coaches that are looking to start their journey.

Why & How I (just about) ended up going to university

Growing up, university was something that had never really interested me. I’d heard of people going on to further their studies and education through attending universities but I never really understood the concept and it didn’t really appeal to me. The other times that I’d heard about going to university was at school; having to attend multiple year group assemblies and classes about the steps required when heading to university. However, I never tended to take much notice due to thinking it was not really aimed towards me, assuming that I wasn’t really smart enough or even grown up enough to be even considering going to university. I knew nothing about the university experience, nobody in my family had ever been to university and I imagined that I’d follow suit. Little did I know, the advantages it had to offer, and how it could help and support me by creating a platform to set me up for the future. Reflecting back now, when I first left school, I wasn’t the sharpest tool in the box, I was quite immature and was not even close to being in a position to study a degree.

I will never forget the day we had to go into school to collect our GCSE results, I didn’t open them until I returned home, only to discover a small white sheet of paper outlining my poor academic performance through a list of letters that mostly come after D in the alphabet. It suddenly dawned on me that I needed to grow up incredibly quickly over the next couple of years, and sort myself out before I ended up with zero exam results, a poor job, and a lifestyle I didn’t really want.

This was a real eye opener and led me to return back to school the following year, retaking multiple subjects and exams to boost my previous results, and also start my A-Levels. Throughout this time, university was something I still wasn’t even considering, however somehow; it happened but I was incredibly lucky.

After finally completing school, and at least gaining some qualifications (still not the greatest may I add), I had no idea what to do next. Two years had passed and I’d spent that time working a host of dead end part-time jobs.  I’d worked in local corner shops, scaffolding units, cafes, restaurants and even tried my hand at painting and decorating. During this two year period I actually ended up gaining some valuable skills by learning different roles, however; I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t interested and consistently working these types of jobs had a real affect mentally.

Eventually, I decided.. “Why not apply for university?” Despite returning to school and doing better, my grades still did not quite reflect the necessary UCAS points required for the course I wanted. But, I applied anyway, I had nothing to lose.

Before I knew it, I had an interview at the University of Chichester to study Community Sports Coaching. Arriving at the university, I was very excited and feeling confident. The facilities looked great, the city was small but a beautiful place that I could see myself living in. However, on arrival I was told that there were no interviews scheduled for that day. With a very confused look upon my face, I double checked my calendar and realised that I had turned up 1 week late. “That was it.”, I thought, “ it was over before it had begun.” I didn’t have the correct grades, I turned up a week late - what a mess! Luckily, the staff were great and very understanding; they still managed to see me that day, as you can imagine I was very flustered but managed to somehow get through an interview. Before I knew it, a few months later I was packing my bags to go. Sometimes you just need that little bit of luck!

Public opinion / Perception

In recent years, the public perception of university has changed with many losing faith in the system, outlining various flaws that does not portray the university pathway in a good light or a positive way.

Some believe that universities are becoming increasingly more elite resulting in many of the top universities becoming inaccessible for some, with the main drive for the institution being focused around making profit rather than having students best interests at the forefront.

The public perception of university is frequently surrounded by the topic of increased tuition fees and money, with many starting to believe that Universities will turn into more of a business that attracts the wealthy, who will in theory ‘buy’ their degree.

Obviously this is different in every country and will differ depending on where you choose to study, some countries will charge you thousands for a degree, some countries are free or provide reduced rates, whereas some are crazy expensive, make the right choice that suits you. I was very lucky to start my degree the year before the tuition fees in the UK were increased. If I had attended one year later, my degree would’ve cost me three times the amount. Just let that sink in, three times the amount! Again, sometimes you need that little bit of luck!

Despite the public perception of university, there are many reasons people decide on, and against attending further education institutions. Both are fine, there are no right or wrong answers, and much of this is based on opinions and previous experiences that people have had, both good and bad. These experiences and perceptions shape the image of the University pathway that we see today.

Pros & Cons & Dos & Don'ts

As an advocate for young coaches to take the university pathway due to seeing and taking advantage of the many benefits myself, I definitely see more Dos than Don’ts, Pros than Cons & benefits rather than off putting factors. However, for me it’s important to address both to support those that are unsure on what direction to pursue, as highlighted previously, University is not for everyone.

Pros! DO IT! Benefits!

·      Broaden horizons (Open your eyes, see the bigger picture!)

·      Specific qualifications  (Get qualified in the field of study you want to work in.)

. Coaching badges (Some degrees will include or support NGB coaching courses)

·      Study a subject you enjoy (Study what you’re passionate about, it makes a difference.)

·      Personal Development (Develop and invest in yourself, Make yourself more attractive for future employers.)

·      Move away from home (FREEDOM! The first move? It helps you grow in more ways than you can imagine.)

·      Connections & Networking (Like minded people, Peers, Lecturers, Networking is everything, surround yourself with quality.)

·      Gain Industry Experience (Work placements & Volunteering.)

·      Career Opportunities (Possible routes into professional career.)

·      Travel Opportunities (Study abroad / Working abroad - Sometimes you need a degree for a working VISA.)

·      FUN – (Meet new friends, Fantastic social opportunities, Enjoy what the experience has to offer.)

"A University is not about results in the next quarter. It’s not even about who a student has become by graduation. It is about education that moulds a lifetime, education that transmits the heritage of millennia; learning that shapes the future."

(Drew Gilphi Faulst)

Cons! DON’T DO IT! NO Thanks!

·      You may not gain technical skills (If you don’t apply yourself correctly.)

·      You may not get employability skills (Nothing is guaranteed.)

·      Contact time is less than at school. (Students are often expected to work independently.)

·      You'll leave with a lot of debt (Depending on where you study as mentioned before, However; LOOK into repayments, how much you need to be earning before you start paying this back…It’s not as bad as you think.)

·      You will be committing at least three years of your life (Time consuming, Can you commit?)

·      You're not guaranteed a graduate job (I wish I took this one into account, I thought I’d walk into a job because ‘I have a degree though.')

·      Lifetime earnings can be higher with an apprenticeship / trade / other pathways. (There are many other options available.)

"Universities are fantastic places, to gain knowledge on a subject, develop a personal network, explore your character and learn new techniques to approach problems. I do however believe that there is a strong argument for students who have an idea they are passionate about to just try and turn it into a reality. I fell into this category and I don’t regret not going to University."(Richard Branson)

With so many pros and cons surrounding the topic, this led me to reach out to coaches who have followed similar pathways as myself to gain a greater insight to their experiences and share their views on the topic.

I recently caught up with:

Kris Dines, (Football Coach at Carrick Rangers Academy & Analyst at Northern Ireland Women’s & Girls Performance Pathway). Kris is currently studying a Sports Coaching & Performance Masters and Ulster University, Northern Ireland. 

&

Scott Seales, (Trainee teacher & Grassroots football coach at Medway Borough FC) who studied Community Sports Coaching and graduated from the University of Chichester in 2015.

What are the benefits for young football coaches looking to attend university?

Scott: ‘I felt huge benefits from a coaching point of view, when working with other like minded students, gaining valuable information and sharing ideas really helps you moving forward. Learning through the experience of lecturers who have been there and done it and reliving their coaching journeys really paints a picture that you can make something out of coaching. The coaching opportunities really opened up for myself at university too as the university football teams were keen to integrate university students within the set up, a valuable experience.’

Kris echoed these thoughts:

‘Attending university is a great opportunity to enhance yourself as an individual. Through university you are able to enjoy different experiences which help develop yourself through academic and social opportunities. You are able to advance your education and knowledge through academic learning. This will help you understand the theory behind sports and make use of the modern technologies in today’s sport. What I have found is that sports and sports coaching is not what many people think it is. Looking into the theory surrounding sports coaching, we have to ask ourselves; What are we doing? Why do we do what we do? How do we do it? Are our actions and behaviours benefiting the right people? Are we reflecting on our actions and behaviours?’

Why is university not for everyone?

Kris: ‘I’m not going to lie, university is tough at times. There is a lot of work that is usually done on a computer with limited help. There is a lot of hours spent reading and researching for essays and exams. Once you’ve completed the work, the waiting game for the grade of the works starts. University is tough and not for everyone, in my undergraduate degree I was going to drop out at Christmas during my first year, but instead I got my head down, worked hard and completed my degree. Just like sports, if you work hard and stay positive, you can achieve anything!’

Post Graduation Opportunities

Every student that attends university decides on this due to different motives, goals and personal objectives. People look to get as much as they can out of the university experience and it depends on what the individual is looking to get out of the course itself in order to discover whether it has been beneficial for them or not.

My personal goal was to get a degree in the hope that would assist me in getting a job in the increasingly competitive football industry and provide opportunities with professional football clubs in the UK. Looking at the bigger picture, it eventually did what I wanted and ticked those boxes but not straight away. It is important to understand- just because you have a degree there are no guarantees and many other factors that contribute towards establishing a solid starting platform that will help build a successful coaching career.

What football coaching opportunities have you received since graduating?

Scott: ‘I’ve received job offers abroad, most of which have required a degree alongside coaching badges. Despite not taking these roles in Asia and the USA, they’ve been great networking opportunities. I feel as if my university experience has allowed me to improve my football coaching within my local community, and supported the grassroots delivery and building of local football clubs in my local area (Medway Borough) by sharing my skills and knowledge with fellow coaches and people that I know.’

Kris decided to take an alternative route to Scott, returning to University to complete his Masters.

Many students decide to return to University to further their studies once more and complete post-graduation courses, such as Masters, PGCE’s and PHD’s. Another option for those looking to extend their learning even further, developing and investing in themselves.

Reflection - What would you do differently?

I’m not sure you can really plan your time at University before you start, you don’t really know what to expect. It’s a new experience, a new environment and you have to throw yourself in at the deep end rather than testing the water with your toes at the shallow end.

However now that I have graduated, moved on and had time to reflect, it has made me realise that despite having an amazing time, a great experience and an extremely beneficial three years; I did not exactly maximise my time and could’ve still taken more from the experience as a whole. If I would have slightly changed or tweaked my work ethic, planning, time management and lifestyle, I’m sure I would have seen the rewards for it.

University is all about striking that work life / social life balance, which is easier said than done. Yes you can still have a social life. Yes, you can still grab a beer after football. Yes, you can really go and enjoy yourself. However, drinking three litre bottles of cheap cider mixed with black currant (to slightly mask the taste) with your new room mates five nights a week because you’re a fresher, isn’t going to leave you feeling so fresh in the morning. You need to go and make new friends. It’s essential and going out and socialising is part of creating those new relationships, but remember why you’re actually there. Don’t let your personality, ego and social life get in the way of your studies. It’s all about priorities and taking what you want from the situation.

I put the same Question to Scott & Kris to get their thoughts from a coaching point of view.

What would you do differently next time?

Kris: 'The main thing I would do differently would be to try incorporate the theory of sports coaching into my personal coaching. I would have loved to see if the topics, such as philosophy, culture and environment, the academics are promoting in their literature, really work in actual sports coaching. Once this pandemic is over and sports are back in full swing, I really plan on trying to implement important academic topics into my own coaching.’

Scott: 'Academically id definitely research more, gain more advice and knowledge before hand. I’d throw myself into opportunities more and try and grasp them with both hands to try and push myself into securing bigger and better opportunities going forward with clubs and organisations. I had great times, but when it came to the end of my degree I just assumed it was over and that was it, this doesn’t have to be the case if you want it to continue. Something that I have now realised and I would definitely consider returning to further my education this time focusing around sports psychology, an area that really interested me during my degree.'

What Advice would you give to coaches that are considering the university route?

Kris: 'What I would tell anyone thinking about going to university to do sport is to volunteer in sports clubs in their local community. Gain experiences working or coaching in your own sport or in any sporting context in general. There is nothing better than having personal experiences that you can use or talk about within your university degree. Work hard and stay focused, it won’t be easy and you will have your doubts but remember; success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.'

Scott: 'Its an experience that makes you understand if you will sink or swim but you’ll learn so much from it. Being single minded is okay, as it’s important that you have your own goals and ambitions, this is something I discovered nearer the end of my university journey and something all coaches should be ok with. Look after yourself first, everyone has their own reasons for being there, make the most of yours.'

Conclusion

I personally feel the positives massively outweigh the negatives within this discussion. I identify going to university as an integral part of my coaching journey and a crucial part of my development that I will forever be grateful for. University provided me with an opportunity that allowed me to start a career in a competitive industry where many others may struggle to find their feet without such a platform. University allowed me to continuously step outside of my comfort zone, which resulted in noticeable growth and development both personally and professionally.

I believe completing a degree sets you up for great things in the future but in the end it still comes down to the type of person you are. I will always stick by ‘you get out what you put in’ and I believe that applies to your studies also. As coaches we should never stop learning no matter what pathway we decide to take, learning can come in many different forms and university is just one of those. As mentioned before there are no right or wrong answers, university is perfect for some and a nightmare for others. It’s all about deciding the best option that suits you, but consider those options very carefully. I was 100% sure that university wasn’t for me for many years - how very wrong I was.

If you’re a coach that finds yourself at a crossroads uncertain of what direction to head towards next, I would always recommend considering returning to education. This is a step that I am personally looking forward to within the coming years, with the end goal of completing a sports / football related masters degree. No matter what level you find yourself at, there is always room for further education. The learning never stops.

A degree is not just a piece of paper.

University is more than just an experience.

Graduation is not the end it’s the beginning.