University of Brighton announce new partnership with AFC Uckfield Town
Students from the university will work with Uckfield's staff to gain experience of life inside a local football club.
University of Brighton students have entered into a partnership with AFC Uckfield Town, allowing students the opportunity to work alongside coaches, analysts and performance staff at the club. They'll be able to gain first-hand experience of life inside a local football club while supporting teams throughout the season.
Sport and Exercise students will be guided by the club's Head of Analytics, Shaun Lee, filming matches using specialist analysis cameras. They'll then produce detailed performance reports and collect tactical data on both Uckfield and the teams they play.
Students studying Sport Coaching will provide support to coaching teams across each of the club's squads. They'll help to deliver training sessions and player development during the season.
Strength and Conditioning students will work alongside Head of Physiotherapy and Strength and Conditioning Lydia Fellows. They'll support player preparation, recovery and physical performance. Elements of the club's strength and conditioning programme will be led by a postgraduate student, supported by undergraduate students working as members of the wider performance team.
Sports Journalism students will gain first-hand experience covering a working football club throughout a football season. Their duties will include producing match reports, interviewing players and coaching staff, writing news stories and creating content for the matchday programme. They'll also capture photography, video and social media content as part of the club's online presence.
Dr Anastasiya Khomutova, Course Leader for Sport Coaching at the University of Brighton, said: "There's no substitute for learning in a real performance environment. This partnership allows our students to put theory into practice while working alongside experienced practitioners who are committed to helping them develop.
"By becoming part of a multidisciplinary team, students will experience the realities of supporting athletes across an entire season. They'll develop not only technical expertise, but also the communication, adaptability and decision-making skills that employers across the sport industry value so highly."
Shaun Lee, Head of Analytics at AFC Uckfield Town, said: "We're incredibly excited to welcome the students into the club. Performance analysis has become an integral part of the modern game and this partnership gives students the opportunity to experience the demands of a real football environment while making a genuine contribution across multiple teams. It's a fantastic opportunity for them to develop their skills, and for us to continue raising standards throughout the club."
Malcolm Jones, Club Chairman added: "This partnership is another significant step forward for AFC Uckfield Town. We're committed to developing every area of the football club, both on and off the pitch, and working with the University of Brighton allows us to bring enthusiastic, talented students into our environment whilst helping them gain meaningful industry experience. We're looking forward to building a long and successful relationship together."