Careers Network

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Please keep checking this page for updates as further information on speakers will continue to be added.

12:00 PM

Welcome and Keynote

John Steele, Executive Director of Sport at Loughborough University  

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John has a unique blend of experience in creating and leading high performing teams, developed as a professional athlete, sports coach and in Chief Executive roles in the private, public, and not for profit sectors. John served as an army officer having been trained at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to lead teams in high pressure environments. On leaving the army he qualified as a chartered surveyor and worked in the corporate property world before becoming a professional rugby player. Johns playing career saw him take on the New Zealand All Blacks, Australian Wallabies and South African Springboks. On finishing playing John turned to coaching and successfully led Northampton Saints to become European Champions. John’s experience in Rugby Union also saw him serve on the England Rugby Board during the successful World Cup campaign of 2003 and be appointed as CEO of the Rugby Football Union. The winning of the bid for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics saw John take up post as CEO of UK Sport, the organisation tasked with delivering a world class high performance sport system and, delivering in partnership, medal success for Team GB. His tenure through the Beijing Games and lead into the London Games saw unprecedented results for Team GB. He has had leadership roles in ten different Olympic and Paralympic games. With the nation’s sporting focus switching to an Olympic legacy for ‘an inspired generation’, John took up the post of Group Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust. In January 2015 he was recruited to join the team at Loughborough University as the Executive Director of Sport in order to grow its status as a beacon of sport in the UK and worldwide. John has kept his links with TeamGB at UKSport Board, and as Chair of the English Institute of Sport, the ‘team behind the team’ responsible for providing technical performance support to Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

12:45 PM

Industry-Led Presentations - Session One

12:45 PM

Sport Science / Performance Support

Sam Erith, Head of Sport Science at Manchester City FC  

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After completing an undergraduate, masters and PhD at Loughborough within sport science, Sam went to work for the FA as a Sports Scientist. Following this he moved to Tottenham Hotspur FC as their Head of Sport Science. He then returned to the FA as Men’s Senior Team Performance Consultant Coach at the FA. In in 2011 Sam went to Manchester City FC as their Head of Sports Science and currently oversees a large team of sport scientists.

12:45 PM

Sports Agents

Dr. Serhat Yilmaz from Loughborough University and Simon Bayliff, Founder/Managing Director at Arete  

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This session will offer insight into the world of sports agents. It will enable you to learn about the role of agents and the agent market. Dr. Serhat Yilmaz, academic member of School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences and the Programme Director of Loughborough University’s Professional Certificate Programme for Sports Agents will be joined by Simon Bayliff of ARETÉ. Simon has worked in the sports industry for nearly 25 years and has represented several of the biggest icons in international sport over that time. Those athletes include David Beckham, Michael Owen, Alan Shearer, Jack Wilshere, Dwight Yorke, Robbie Keane, Jamie Redknapp, Jermain Defoe, Joleon Lescott, Nathan Redmond, Arthur Okonkwo, Oliver Skipp in football; Mark Cavendish in cycling; Daniel Ricciardo in F1, Maddie Hinch in Hockey, Jodie Stimpson and Hayden Wilde in triathlon. As Founder and Managing Director of ARETÉ, Simon is also proudly an alumnus of Loughborough University 1994-1997 BSc. (Hons) Human Biology.

12:45 PM

Women in Sport

Featuring 4 incredible female speakers  

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Sue J Anstiss MBE, CEO at Fearless Women. Alison Oliver MBE, CEO at Youth Sport Trust. Karen Rothery, Chair (of This Mum Runs and British Ice Skating) and Non Executive Director at Triathlon England. Penny Briscoe OBE, British Paralympic Association. Biographies on each of these speakers are available on Careers Online.

1:45 PM

Industry-Led Presentations - Session Two

1:45 PM

Sports Psychology

Tim Wyatt, Sport & Exercise Psychologist (in training) at Leicester City Football Club Academy  

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The Trainee Sport & Exercise Psychologist Journey. This session will be suitable for anyone interested in the psychology of the mental side of athletes, teams and sports. We will look at the challenges, insights and reflections of the journey for a sport & exercise psychologist in training. Some of the day-to-day experiences that a trainee sport psychologist might expect and the progression from studying, to being on the ground, in an applied setting will be discussed. This session will help anyone that might be thinking of undertaking the BPS stage 2 or BASES SEPAR and will provide some tips and advice for anyone interested in sport psychology. You can follow Tim on twitter @timwyattpsych

1:45 PM

Sports Marketing/ Media

Unfortunately this session has been cancelled  

1:45 PM

Sports Coaching

Dave Morris, Sports Coach & Mentor  

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Dave has 20 years of experience in coaching. The breadth of Dave’s coaching experience ranges from school, university, community and professional club. Representative coaching includes U.14 to Senior County, England Universities and GB Student Sevens. Leadership positions include Director of Rugby at Dartford Grammar School, Director of Rugby at Loughborough University and Director of Rugby at London Scottish RFC in the RFU Championship. Dave has played a part in the development of Premiership and Senior international players and coaches. Dave has extensive experience as a coach developer. He has worked as a RFU trainer and mentor. Established a Rugby Coach Development Programme at Loughborough University in collaboration with the BOOST Charitable Trust. This programme was expanded to include Netball and was the prelude to the incredible Coach and Volunteer Academy. Dave has also delivered rugby coach development abroad in Italy, Zambia and the West Indies. Dave has held positions on the Loughborough University Coaching Strategy Group and Professional Game Board Player Performance Group. Dave now combines coaching and mentoring leaders, coaches and athletes alongside working at Uppingham School.

2:45 PM

Industry-Led Presentations - Session Three

2:45 PM

Strength & Conditioning

Tony Strudwick, Head of Performance at FA Wales  

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Having graduated from Loughborough University in 1998 after both an undergraduate and master’s degree in Sports Science, Tony has had a long and successful career within performance support in and around football. Starting as an Exercise Scientist at Coventry City FC, he then went to work for the FA. After two successful roles as Head of Fitness & Conditioning at West Ham & Blackburn Rovers, he became Head of Performance at Manchester United FC in 2007. In 2018 Tony moved to become Head of Performance for the Welsh FA.

2:45 PM

SSEHS academic pathways into sport

What next? PhD and beyond: An insight into academic careers in sport and exercise  

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Learn more about the possible career paths within academia and explore the world-leading research involved in the work of a PhD student, a Lecturer and a Professor. Our speakers will boost your confidence to pursue further study and inspire you with relatable success stories. Explore the benefits of working in academia and hear our speakers address any common misconceptions. Listen to presentations from Loughborough staff and students, with the opportunity to ask questions to our panel of speakers: • Amber Guest, Doctoral Researcher and PRG student representative • Dr Silvia Costa, Lecturer in Physical Activity and Public Health • Professor Amanda Daley, Professor in Behavioural Medicine Short biographies for speakers are being added to Careers Online.

2:45 PM

Sports Development

Gabriella Hay, Head of Membership Development at Swim England  

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Having started her Sport Development career as British Tennis Services Team Lead at the Lawn Tennis Association, Gabriella went onto work for the Youth Sport Trust as Programme Manager for Memberships. Following this she went to work for British Triathlon Federation as Head of Memberships and more recently joined Swim England as their Head of Membership Development.

3:45 PM

Q&A Industry Panel

Take part in this industry expert panel and ask questions that matter to you. Hosted by John Steele, Executive Director of Sport at Loughborough University.  

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Speakers include: Jamie Hooper, Founding Director, Inclusive Cultures. Rebecca Caplehorn, Director of Football Operations at Tottenham Hotspur FC. Elizabeth Nicholl CBE, President of the International Netball Federation. Biographies on each of these speakers are available on Careers Online

In order to book onto any of these presentations, please book via Careers Online.