Roles undertaken within Loughborough Sport
Voluntary Performance Nutrition Intern
Tell us a little about yourself (E.g. hobbies, interests and background)?
I’m from Dublin, where I completed my undergraduate degree before moving to Loughborough to complete my MSc. I used to play Gaelic football and hurling when I was younger, but have since transitioned to athletics, competing in cross country and distance events.
How did you first get involved in volunteering within sport at Loughborough?
I have always known that I wanted to work in sports nutrition. During the summer, Andrew Shepherd, Performance Nutrition Lead at Loughborough Sport, advertised the role of Performance Nutrition Voluntary Intern. I jumped at the chance to apply and was fortunate enough to secure one of the positions.
During your years at Loughborough, what have you got involved in through volunteering within sport?
I have only been in Loughborough since September, but I am taking every opportunity that comes my way.
Currently, I am volunteering as the Performance Nutritionist for both the Men’s Basketball and Squash Performance Programme within Loughborough Sport. Basketball and Squash are two very different sports with unique requirements, which keep my role very interesting!
What has your experience volunteering been like whilst at Loughborough?
My volunteering experience at Loughborough has been incredible. I have learned so much in such a short space of time and have had some great opportunities that would not have been possible without the volunteering role.
How has being involved with Loughborough Sport helped you develop and progress (personally and professionally)?
Being involved with Loughborough Sport has significantly enhanced my skill set and experience as a performance practitioner. I have developed my communication, time management, teamwork, and presentation skills.
The skills and knowledge I have gained will undoubtedly help me in the future when navigating a job in the competitive sports industry.
What’s the best advice you could give to a Loughborough student looking to get involved in volunteering & gain the most out of their university experiences?
Sign up for anything you are interested in. There are so many roles on the CVA, and you never know who you will end up meeting and what opportunities will come from them!
Finally, what do you enjoy most about volunteering?
The highlight for me is meeting people from different disciplines and learning from their experiences and expertise. Everyone has a unique story, and you never know what you might learn from someone.