SPIP gives students on the University’s undergraduate and postgraduate sport and exercise science courses the opportunity to gain real experience through designing and delivering sport conditioning programmes to local and national teams and athletes.

Volunteers on the scheme, now at the end of its third year, can choose to take part in consultancy work in whichever area of sport and exercise science they are most interested. They also benefit from a unique training and workshop programme above and beyond traditional degree study that provides them with the knowledge and skills they need to support external partners.

SPIP is led by Podium Performance, a team of experts within the colleges’s Centre for Sport and Exercise Science (CSES) who provide consultancy services to individuals and teams in physiology, psychology, nutrition, physiotherapy, movement analysis, and strength and conditioning. The scheme is joint-funded by the sport department and CSES and is a great example of research and teaching working together to provide students with new and innovative learning opportunities.

One of the external partners that has benefited from welcoming volunteers as part of the scheme is Sheffield United FC. Students have been working alongside coaches at the club’s academy to deliver movement intervention coaching to young players, focusing on developing fitness and functional strength to prepare their bodies for the demands of a career in professional football and preventing some of the injuries which can occur. The feedback from Sheffield United on the contribution of our students has been incredibly positive and it’s this that the team hopes will catch the eye of the Football Association (FA).

As Damian Kingsbury of Podium Performance explains, 'The FA is beginning to look seriously at how young players’ fitness is developed and the kind of movement coaching our students have been successfully employing at Sheffield United is something that fits the bill.

'We are planning later in the summer to begin working with the Rotherham United academy, and we are hoping that the FA will consider using that as a pilot study to assess the effectiveness of movement coaching on fitness with a view to possibly introducing it at academies across the country.'

It’s clear to see why the scheme is reaping benefits. Students have an opportunity to gain invaluable practical experience and keep up to date with skills additional to their course, enhancing their overall employability. The college can offer innovative learning in a cost-effective way whilst also developing new relationships with students and external partners, and clubs and teams benefit from professional expertise at the fraction of the cost of full consultancy.

For more details about the programme contact Damian Kingsbury on ext 2512 or email d.kingsbury@shu.ac.uk.