Sports Coaching with Football Development and Performance

Why study this subject?
Coaches are the backbone to every successful player and athlete in any sport. Study the science behind what makes a successful coach and you’ll learn lifelong skills to help you get the best from people. Sports coaches play such a vital role in the wellbeing and performance of professional athletes and sports teams and their contribution cannot be understated.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
When you graduate from Buckinghamshire New University, you will have left with a qualification that demonstrates not only the new skills you have gained but how you effectively applied them on placement to the benefit of the organisation you are working with.

Our course is more than just academic theory, you will spend up to 20 hours each week learning hands on with a wide range of projects with Wycombe Wanderers Football Club. In this work based learning you will be supported by experienced coaches and mentors to ensure that you can fully benefit from the experience and make links to your theory classes.

Our course also allows you to really understand the theory behind the science and psychology of coaching from lecturers who have been involved in the world of coaching and elite sport and are actively working in a professional club.

What facilities can I use?
Whilst studying with us you can take advantage of our extensive sports facilities and activities. A wide range of sports and fitness classes take place in our large, versatile sports space on our High Wycombe Campus. Stretch and relax at Fitness Pilates, work your muscles with Reps and Sets, or squeeze in a quick H.I.I.T workout.

The sports hall has a sprung floor that reduces the impact on ankle, knee and hip joints, and the space can be split so that several activities can take place at once. Specialist matting is available for activities such as judo and cheerleading.

What will I study?
This course will develop you as a sports coach, and as a coach your role extends beyond physical activity to the realm of emotional and psychological support, education and mentoring. We will develop your knowledge of the key aspects of sports coaching involving sports science, psychology, pedagogy and sociology. The course has a strong vocational focus, so you will be able relate the theory we teach in the classroom to the practice work you are undertaking both in work and competition.

This course will develop you as a coach with a focus on football development. We will develop your knowledge of the key aspects of sports coaching: physiological, psychological and biomechanical. The course has a strong vocational focus, you are encouraged to relate the theory we teach in the classroom to the practice work you are undertaking as part of your learning with Wycombe Wanderers Football Club. You study community football and the development of community initiatives through traditional classes and hands on experience.

Our course focuses on the contextual and operational challenges facing the sport industry with an aim to develop you into a coach who engages with individuals, communities and organisations to promote participation opportunities, develop athletes, and contribute to the betterment of people’s lives through sport. It will help you to establish and maintain networks to organise and run sport events. You will learn how to create, implement and evaluate important sport policy related to health, wellbeing, and social inclusion.

Career Prospects
This course is ideal for those wishing to progress into a sport coaching or mentoring role. If you wanted to pursue a higher education qualification you will be well suited to pursue that through a top up degree programme. We will aid you in gaining coaching qualifications to help you become a sports coach. If you are currently a sport athlete and thinking about your future after sport, becoming a coach is a great way to future proof your career and continue in the sport that you love.

Course Modules

Year One
Core
Introduction to Coaching
Sport in Society
Developing Professional Identity
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
Human Systems and Movement
Introduction to Research in Sport

Year Two
Core
Coaching Pedagogy in Practice
Applied Research Project
Inclusive Practice in Sport and Physical Activity
Performance Analysis
Football Operations and Events Management
Working in Football Development and Performance