Solent welcomes new recruits

On a bright, crisp September morning, 172 Health, Exercise and Sport Science (HESS) students arrived at Southampton Solent University’s East Park Terrace campus to begin a journey that will take them three years to complete. The students were welcomed onto courses in Applied Sport Science, Sport Coaching, Fitness and Personal Training, Fitness Management and PersonalTraining, and Health, Exercise and Physical Activity. Before that journey could begin lay five full days of activities, designed to help develop friendships and socialise them into their new life as a HESS student at Southampton Solent University. 

BSc Applied Sport Science students undertaking fitness tests at 9am

These activities would test their communication, team work, problem solving and interpersonal skills and enable them to develop friendships and familiarise themselves with key areas of the university. The activities ranged from fitness testing to team building exercises, and from navigation tasks to leadership training with the British Army. One Applied Sports Science student commented that “…the week was long and hard…at times there was a lot to take in but I loved it”, whilst one Sports Coaching student said “The leadership training was excellent and really encouraged us to get involved.”

BSc Sport Coaching students developing leadership skills with the British Army

Meanwhile the Fitness and Personal Training, Fitness Management, and Health, Exercise and Physical Activity students were performing other tasks, one of which included devising a project to enhance the health and wellbeing of Southampton as a community in conjunction with National Fitness Day on Friday 27^th September. For this task they devised a business plan and presented to a group of University staff in a similar process to that of TV’s ‘Dragon’s Den’. Level 4 Leader, James Fisher commented; “the ideas were both creative and viable ranging from plans to change government policy on fast-food packaging, reducing alcohol intake and organising a points-reward system for gym/fitness class attendance and healthy food purchases within the University”.

We hope all our new students have an enjoyable and rewarding time over the next three years at Solent.

Solent Sport Science Labs awarded BASES accreditation

The physiology laboratory at Southampton Solent University was officially awarded British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Accreditation today. 

Saints players utilising the newly accredited physiology lab

The recognition is an industry-required quality assurance process that provides clients and users a means of confirming the appropriateness of the laboratory to conduct physiological testing. 

The laboratory director Dr Stewart Bruce-Low said 'this is part of the next phase of our development strategy. This aligns our quality and standards with the other few accredited laboratories in the country, such as the English Institute of Sport in the north West, Manchester United F.C. and Loughborough University. Students and staff from the Applied Sport Science and Sport Coaching degrees already work extensively with a selection of elite athletes and clubs so this ensures these clients are using a quality assured service."

Congratulations to Stewart and his team of technicians for this fantastic accolade.

BSc Applied Sport Science student reflects on valuable work experience with AFC Bournemouth

In the post below, BSc Applied Sport Science student Sam Chapman reflects on his work experience at AFC Bournemouth this summer.

Sam at work analysing data

"As a proposed six-week placement, I was given the responsibility of managing the GPS software at AFC Bournemouth, who were newly promoted to the English Championship. They had chosen to trial the GPS software, with hopes of providing invaluable data regarding numerous fitness variables from pre-season games and training sessions. By previously being exposed to GPS equipment at university, I was confident that I could provide enough experience and knowledge to aid the sports science department at AFC Bournemouth. On a full-time basis, I was required to arrive before training to charge and arrange all GPS and heart rate monitors, before supplying to the players who were taking part in that session. I then provided help within training sessions, before downloading the data from the units and creating numerous graphs, comparing data amongst players, time-periods, and between entire sessions. This was then shown directly to the first team manager by the head of the sports science department, providing specific information at the manager’s requests.

After just one week of voluntary work, I was fortunate enough to be invited to travel with the first team squad to Zürich, Switzerland; as part of the squad’s pre-season tour abroad. For one week, I was asked to complete my normal duties, along with preparing pre- and post-training drinks and supplementation. On the final day of the tour, we welcomed two-time UEFA Champions league semi-finalists and twelve-time Swiss super league champions FC. Zürich to the training ground. Unfortunately the game was lost 2-0; however, the whole experience was a great experience both for the squad as well as myself. 

So far I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at AFC Bournemouth, and feel that the work I complete on a day-to-day basis is truly valued. In addition to this I am gaining vast amounts of experience which I hope I can apply to my studies, and allow me to improve at University. On completion of my placement, I hope to continue working at the club during the rest of the season, providing support for a successive push for promotion."

Award winning student

Ben Wills with the Olympic torch

Congratulations to Ben Wills (BSc Sport Coaching) who recently won the Student Volunteer of the Year award at the first ever Solent Employability and Enterprise Excellence awards. In his application, Ben outlined his personal development throughout the degree. “When I began my degree at Solent I was interviewed and subsequently set up a career plan with my course leader, together with being given interviews with three representatives from the rugby industry. I have since been given amazing opportunities to go on courses, volunteer and develop myself within the sport. I currently coach about 18 hours a week across a range of different programmes. During my first year I was provided with a volunteer placement at a London Irish School of Rugby which was fantastic in gaining exposure to an elite set up. I was also used by Hampshire at several coaching sessions and festivals throughout the county, working within a variety of situations and groups such as the Romsey Rugby Club women’s initiative.” 

Ben coaching at Twickenham

Matt Johnson, Course Leader for the BSc Sport Coaching comments “As Ben's Course leader, I am thrilled that Ben won. He has worked so hard over the last two years and thoroughly deserves this title. He has demonstrated tireless commitment to developing his CV and making a difference through rugby. I have absolute confidence that he will leave Solent as a very knowledgeable and skilled coach capable of making a difference in whichever environment he decides to work in."

His employers were equally positive in their praise for Ben. Gavin Williams, RFU Coaching & Playing Development Officer added, “Ben has distinguished himself through a combination of hard-work, commitment and passion for volunteering. He is a great role model for both the young people he coaches and for his peers within the University.” 

Ivan Torpey, Hampshire Regional Rugby Development Officer comments, “since arriving at Solent University Ben has made a very positive impact to the development of rugby in Hampshire.  Supporting our RFU Community Rugby Coach, Ben was instrumental in introducing the game of Tag Rugby to three new local Junior schools in Shirley.  This programme culminated with thirty children playing Tag rugby at Twickenham in a ‘Curtain raiser’ ahead of the England v New Zealand autumn International. Tim Allen, Hampshire Rugby Director added to these sentiments by claiming “Ben has undertaken all the jobs we have thrown at him in Hampshire Rugby with his usual calm efficiency and dedication and has excelled in all the roles.” 

Congratulations to Ben on this outstanding achievement.