Public seminar: Photography and Sport

Dr Mike O'Mahony from the University of Bristol is coming to UCLan during September to present a Public Seminar entitled 'Sport: Through a Glass Darkly: Olympic Visions and the Sporting Photograph'.

Dr O’Mahony is the author of the books Olympic Visions: Images of the Games through History (2012) and Sport in the USSR: Physical Culture – Visual Culture (2006) and co-editor of The Visual in Sport (2011).

He is currently running a visual project called 'My Games', which seeks to build an alternative visual archive to reflect everyday experiences of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. He is also developing a project – relevant to his UCLan lecture – looking at photography and sport.

The event takes place on Thursday 5 September, 4-5.30pm at Greenbank Building GR348. For any further information and to book a place please email Professor John Hughson.

UCLan researcher part of pioneering new study

UCLan Clinical Researcher and Graduate Sports Therapist Jill Alexander (left) has coordinated a pioneering new study into cryotherapy.

Working alongside her team at the University, as well as the world’s leading researcher into cryotherapy - Dr. Joseph Costello - Jill's study was in collaboration Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club and BOC, the UK’s leading handler of cryogenic gases, and was formulated in order to assess the physiological changes that may take place during whole body cryotherapy (WBC) exposure.

The international project has successfully provided key data in the research of cryotherapy. This form of treatment, using very low temperatures in order to activate physiological reflexes and reactions, is widely used by athletes and clinicians to improve sport and fitness recovery rates.

The extensive data collection included blood samples and thermal images and will be analysed to assess the optimal length of exposure to WBC. The Society of Sports Therapists have details of the study on their website. Members please click here and students click here.

PhD student needs volunteers

UCLan PhD student Chukwuemeka Ibeachu is looking to recruit at least 300 people across the University to conduct a study into the prevalence and incidence of knee problems in young adults.

In conjunction with Professor James Selfe, Dr Chris Sutton and Professor Paola Dey, Chukwuemeka is researching the relationship between physical inactivity, weight and knee problems.

The study has ethical committee approval and is open to staff or students aged 18-39. Participants are required to complete a questionnaire now and in a year’s time. Direct height and weight measurements are taken subject to the individual’s consent.

For further details please email Chukwuemeka or Tel: 01772 895565.

CPD events 2013/14

The Division of Physiotherapy and Sports Therapy at UCLan is pleased to offer a range of exciting and interesting CPD events across 2013/2014 covering topics for all allied health professionals.

The programme includes full and half-day sessions and evening workshops covering a variety of clinical and non-clinical topics. All sessions are eligible for SLA funding and will be held at the University campus in Preston.

For more information or to book a place please email SSTOCPD@uclan.ac.uk. You are advised to book early as places are limited.

SSTO graduate helps grassroots football in China

Gareth Haylins graduated from the UCLan MA Sports Coaching degree in 2011 and now works as a football coach and development coordinator at China’s largest grassroots football organisation.

Gareth’s passion for coaching began while he was studying for his undergraduate degree in Business Management at the University of Manchester. During this time he gained his Level 1 and 2 football coaching certificate and following his graduation he went to coach football in the USA.

He then embarked on the UEFA ‘B’ Licence coaching course, which he achieved with very little coaching experience and is his proudest achievement to date. This success prompted him to apply for UCLan’s MA Sports Coaching course in order to develop as a coach and improve his knowledge and credentials. Immediately after graduation he took up his current position in China.

He said: "In America I did lots of coaching hours for very little pay, but I cherish this experience to this day due to the impact it had on my coaching development. After that I became serious about coaching and therefore went and achieved the UEFA 'B' and an MA in Sports Coaching.

"I now coach children of all abilities from ages 4-16 and run two teams in the Beijing International Junior Football League. I am responsible for developing the quality of the Chinese coaches who translate and assist the lead coach."

Gareth has fond memories of his time at UCLan, which taught him to be more self-reflective and allowed him to learn from other coaches.

"I would highly recommend the MA Sports Coaching degree to every aspiring coach. I learnt a lot about coaching philosophy and the importance of having one. I found the coaching philosophy module most useful and I have introduced this notion to my current organisation. It has definitely had a huge impact on the way I coach and how effective I am."

Studying at UCLan enabled Gareth to embark on a career he loves, something he believes all students should aim to do.

He added: "Ensure you pursue something that you enjoy and feel passionate about. I feel so lucky to be doing something I completely love. Cherish all your experiences and self-reflect."

SSTO students broaden their horizons

Physiotherapy and Sports Therapy students have participated in a week-long cultural exchange experience in Cyprus.

The trip - organised by Academic Development and Employability in partnership with UCLan Cyprus - saw students visit professional practices and employers related to their subject area to share best practice and knowledge. Students also enjoyed cultural visits and attended Dr Robert Walsh’s 'Living with a Star' event on a Cypriot beach.

Dr Alison Chambers, Dean of Academic Development and Employability, who developed the concept of the cultural study exchange, commented: "I wanted to provide the opportunity for our UK students to visit our Campus in Cyprus to undertake a study and cultural exchange to enhance their graduate development.

"This is what UCLan is all about - we put the student experience at the heart of what we do. Being able to give our students the opportunity to go overseas and explore the differences and similarities between the UK and Cyprus in respect of their academic areas provides real added value to their academic studies and them as individuals. I hope the experience is something they will remember for a long time."

On the back of this success UCLan has unveiled their new Graduate Development Programme for 2013/14. This focuses on providing students with the opportunity to explore their own leadership potential through a residential Leadership Challenge event based in Cyprus. This will involve groups of up to 30 students flying out to UCLan Cyprus to participate in intensive three-day programmes.