Marjon coaching hopefuls gain futsal qualification
Released: 06.03.19
91视频鈥檚 coaching hopefuls assembled at the Marjon Sports Centre to gain The FA鈥檚 Level One qualification for futsal, delivered through Devon FA.
Students gained an understanding of techniques and skills related to the small-sided version of football and in doing so enhanced their CV with another coaching qualification. Students on the University鈥檚 Sport Development and Football Development & Coaching programmes gained the FA-accredited qualification as part of their studies, while other Marjon students also got the chance to bolster their CV by attending this one-day event.
The session was delivered by Marjon graduate and current County Development Manager at the Devon FA, Chris French. Charged with overseeing small-sided football and futsal across the county, Chris was pleased to deliver the session at Marjon.
鈥淎s part of their programmes here, the students undergo a number of coaching courses which goes through from Level One Football through to learning how to coach disabled footballers,鈥� said Chris.
鈥淭his one-day course gives the students an opportunity for personal development and is also something they can put back in to the community when they鈥檙e out coaching. We鈥檝e got a lot of students here from the sports courses but there are also people here from teaching as well as journalism that are looking at opportunities to be coaches in their local communities.鈥�
As a former student at Marjon, Chris knows how tough getting a job in the football industry can be, but he believes extra qualifications as part of university studies can play a big role in gaining future employment.
Chris continued: 鈥淎s a former student who went through a degree programme at Marjon, I have managed to work my way up at the Devon FA and I am very aware of how important it is for these young people to be out there working in the community and adding extra things to their CV.鈥�
鈥淎s an employer I want to look at what students do on top of their studies at university. By doing this here at Marjon today we鈥檙e giving people in sport with a passion for football the opportunity to add great things to their CV.鈥�
Students on the course learnt skills around the rules and development of futsal as well as learning coaching techniques around the only UEFA and FIFA approved small-sided format of the game.
Ryan Thomas, a Senior Lecturer across Marjon鈥檚 sports programmes, was delighted with the impact the day had on his fledgling students.
鈥淭he free coaching sessions that we have as part of the degree is really important because, first and foremost, it鈥檚 a good deal for the students,鈥� said Ryan.
鈥淪tudents don鈥檛 have to go and find funds to study outside of the degree; it鈥檚 all in-built as part of the programme. It also means students can use the qualifications they earn whilst they study. They鈥檙e able to go out in to football clubs and find work before they graduate.
鈥淕etting this futsal qualification today means our students can go off in to the industry with some really good ideas for unique sessions in their back pocket and an accredited qualification they can use and give to those industry providers and say, 鈥業鈥檓 ready to coach鈥�. Many of the students will be doing a placement module next year and having this extra qualification should help open some doors for them.鈥�
惭补谤箩辞苍鈥檚&苍产蝉辫;Football Development and Coaching degree works closely with partners 91视频 Argyle Community Sports Trust, giving students the chance to learn from both academic staff at the University and industry professionals who have a wealth of experience in football.
Ryan believes the continued influence of Argyle鈥檚 Community Sports Trust can help give Marjon students the edge when looking for employment after graduation.
鈥淭he link with Argyle is fantastic because it means our students can build networks while they鈥檙e on the degree,鈥� said Ryan.
鈥淚nstead of studying on the course and then making contacts they can take part in that process during their studies. They鈥檙e constantly building up a network of contacts they can utilise upon graduation. It also means they can hit the ground running as soon as they graduate because they鈥檝e already been exposed to all the things that they鈥檙e likely to encounter out there in the real world.鈥�
Want to study a sports-related degree at Marjon in 2019? Find the right course for you.