SSTO says goodbye to Dr Minten

Dr John Minten has left his role as Dean of The School of Sport, Tourism and The Outdoors to take up a new position at Leeds Beckett University.

Dr Minten has been appointed to the role of Pro-Vice Chancellor/Dean of Carnegie Faculty at the former Leeds Metropolitan University and leaves SSTO after a decade with the School.

He commented: "I'd like to take this opportunity to say farewell and pass on my best wishes to all the staff, both personally and for your future careers.

"This is a great opportunity, but I'll be very sad to leave UCLan after 10 years here as Head of Department, then as Dean of School. I think we sometimes take for granted the changes in SSTO over the past 10 years.

"When I joined the (then) Department of Tourism and Leisure Management we had about 25 staff, fewer than 500 undergraduate students, a handful of research students and one Professor. We now have over 125 staff, 2000 students on taught programmes and well over 150 doctoral level research students. We also have a tremendously strong Professoriate.

"Ultimately any School depends on its staff, and I'm very proud of the School I am leaving. I will miss you all, but I am sure you will go from strength-to-strength in the coming years."

Dr Minten will be replaced by Dr Adrian Ibbetson, who steps up from his position as Associate Dean to become Acting Head of School.

"I have worked with John throughout his time at UCLan,” said Dr Ibbetson. "I have enjoyed working with him and have learnt a lot from him. I'm sure I speak on behalf of all the staff to say that we are sad to see him go, but we wish him all the best for the future."

Dr Minten’s Personal Assistant Sarah-Jayne Butler added: "I'd just like to echo Adrian's comments. John is a great guy who is held in high regard and will be sadly missed by many colleagues at UCLan. The School has gone from strength to strength in the five and a half years I've been working here and John leaves us in a strong position.

"Leeds' gain is definitely our loss, and I wish John all the best for his new job and the exciting challenges that lie ahead. Keep in touch!"

SSTO teams up with top skater to inspire youngsters

SSTO staff were on hand to help Lancashire's young sports ambassadors learn what it takes to be a successful athlete or coach from the world's number one female inline skater and ten times British Champion Jenna Downing.

Jenna visited UCLan to share her career experiences with the region’s most promising young athletes and coaches at the Regional Young Ambassadors Conference run by the Youth Sport Trust.

The event attracted 170 young people from 14 schools in the region who are deemed to be the most outstanding sports leaders in their schools. Not only did they learn from the expertise of Jenna, they also took part in a range of physical activities at UCLan's Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre to improve their skills as young leaders.

This included learning how to play wheelchair basketball and taking part in team building and communication skills activities. Jenna commented: "It's a fantastic opportunity for the Young Ambassadors to come together and share their skills and knowledge with each other.

"Some of the young people here are some of the best in the country for their age and it’s a privilege to work with them. I hope my advice is inspirational and they can learn from me both as an athlete and a mentor."

Corpus Christi Catholic High School pupil Dan Tootell, 14, said: "It was great to meet Jenna. Listening to her has made me more determined to continue my work as a Young Ambassador and further enhance my coaching and leadership skills."

Conference organiser Elaine Smith from Southlands High School said the event was even more successful than the last.

"We attracted 50 more Young Ambassadors to this event than our last one in January, so the demand and enthusiasm is certainly there from the young people," said Elaine. "The Young Ambassador Conference is a great opportunity to bring young leaders together to develop their skills and offer them guidance.

"Meeting Jenna and taking part in the fantastic team building activities at UCLan will hopefully encourage them to continue in their roles."

The Young Ambassador Programme is a UK wide project that selects the most outstanding pupils in schools for both their sporting talents and commitment to volunteering as young leaders. Young Ambassadors are expected to act as role models in promoting PE and school sport and help to increase participation and healthy lifestyles in their schools.

Volunteer opportunity

UCLan to host sporting charity event

UCLan's Lancashire Law School (LLS) is staging a Charity Sportspersons Dinner featuring a host of local sporting stars.

World Champion squash player Laura Massaro (left), ace Modern Pentathlete Samantha Murray, Preston-born Luton Town footballer Jonathan Smith and top Performance Psychologist Michael Finnigan will speak about their varied experiences in the world of sport.

Commonwealth Boxing Gold Medallist Scott Fitzgerald will also be in attendance as a special guest.

The event will raise money for the LLS Zambia Project, a scheme which provides educational and sports equipment for orphanages in Zambia, and will be held at the University of Central Lancashire on Saturday, 22nd November, 2014, in Foster Building Restaurant.

The evening will start at 6.30pm for a drinks reception and the speakers will commence at 7.30pm prompt. At the conclusion of the speakers there will be a two-course meal. Dress is smart casual and everyone is welcome.

Tickets are priced at £25 per person. If you book a table of eight the cost is discounted to £160. For further information and booking details please email Martin Salisbury.

Youth Sport Trust - Team Leader Opportunities

The Youth Sport Trust (YST) are looking for motivated and enthusiastic students, who have a passion for sport and working with young people, to join them as a YST Team Leader.

The programme has been running for over 10 years and provides students with great exposure to the world of sports development, whilst helping them to progress and improve both personally and professionally.

It is an ideal opportunity for second year students from any degree, not just sport, to become a YST Team Leader.

The role varies at each event or camp allowing students to develop and progress and experience a range of sport development initiatives.

Over the duration of the programme, every team leader will take on the responsibility of leading a group of young people, facilitating and delivering workshops, guiding and supporting groups in sessions delivered by National Governing Bodies, YST staff and national consultants, as well as providing an inclusive and motivating environment in which the exceptional young people attending camps can thrive in.

YST events involve disabled and non-disabled leaders, promising young coaches, talented athletes and young sports volunteers. In addition, one opportunity will involve working with a team of volunteers, some of whom will be over the age of 19.

Former Team Leaders have gone on to careers with National Governing Bodies, LOCOG, YST and local sport development bodies. The programme runs for two years and in the second year Team Leaders are invited, subject to performance and commitment in year one, to take on a mentor role for new the new intake of Leaders.

For more information and details of how to apply please click here.

Authors meet Critics 2015

The International Journal of Urban and Regional Research (IJURR) is looking for brilliant and promising young scholars from all over the world who would like discussions with IJURR and SUSC authors on their work.

Information about the call for the Authors meet Critics 2015 initiative can be viewed here. Check out the selected articles and books to be discussed and the transcript of previous editions here.

There are 20 fellowships available to cover the costs of participation. The deadline for online applications is 30 November, 2014.