Lauren discovers her dream career at the University of Derby
From dancer to analyst. Lauren is currently in her third year studying BSc (Hons) Performance Analysis and Coaching Science at the University of Derby. Lauren has a multisport background and tells us how her involvement with Derbyshire Cricket, University of Derby Men’s Volleyball, GB Canoe Slalom and GB Wheelchair Rugby has shaped her development and provided opportunities to experience international competition support in Slovakia.
Why did you come to university to study performance analysis?
I did not want to come to university at all. I always wanted to be a dancer on the West End. When I was studying sport at A Level, I remember performance analysis being mentioned and my teachers saying I'd be good at it. However, it was just never something I considered because all I wanted was to be a dancer. During my gap year the idea/opportunity reoccurred to me and I decided on a career change. I found Derby and signed up to study performance analysis.
Tell us about the first placement you had with the Derbyshire cricket.
I loved cricket, so I wanted to make a point of not only focusing on football, which is everywhere. I wanted a wide range of experience with as many sports as possible. When Derbyshire Cricket came up, I thought it was the perfect opportunity. Whilst on placement we were supported by two third-year students, who showed me everything including the software and camera setup. We would travel to all games, home and away, weather permitting. It was a very interesting role, especially as a first year because you don't expect to be in the real-world that quickly. I had no idea what I was doing as I've never analysed before, but it was a great experience. There was no pressure in terms of work being perfect the first time around, it was also good to understand what they do with the analysis once we've prepared it, and the specific things the coaches and players asked for during the game.
How did the work you were doing at university help you in your first year?
First year was about understanding what analysis is: observing a real environment and understanding what the data and analysis we're producing is being used for. This foundation of knowledge prepared us for the rest of the course.
What would be a highlight of that work in cricket? What did you really enjoy?
I really enjoyed the experience of live coding. Cricket initially seemed slow-paced compared to other sports, but understanding the demands of live coding is very fast paced, no matter what sport you are in. Gaining experience and knowledge of the live coding component of analysis is useful throughout everything else that I have done and will do.
You progressed onto working with the University’s Men’s Volleyball team – what did the role involve?
I would live code at weekly matches but if I couldn’t attend for some reason, I was able to code the game the next morning as we could set up the IP cameras to capture the video for us. I had a meeting with the coach at the start of the season to discuss everything that she wanted us to code. The feedback session at the beginning of the week would involve showing the clips and some of the statistics to the players. Sometimes the players would email me direct for certain areas from the game so they could see what they did well and what they did not do so well. Seeing how the athlete used and engaged with the materials was very interesting.
Tell us about the Canoe Slalom experience which was much more competition based?
I got in touch with Kristen Wright (Performance Analyst and Technical Lead) on LinkedIn, as she was someone I wanted to speak to. She invited me to help at an analysis open day where she showed us the facilities, the data they collect and what they do as an analyst. From there I was invited to help at their selection processes at Lee Valley and Nottingham. I was chosen to undertake the analysis and the live coding. It was a massive step up for me. But being in a professional environment where some of the athletes were competing to be re-selected for the GB team was really interesting.
We were out there very early in the morning setting up equipment and I was able to stay in the main setup area to continue my Lee Valley role. I worked alongside the GB Gymnastics’ analyst, and I learnt that analysts from different sports often come together and help each other for a big event or where more support is needed. This was a great network-building opportunity for me.
Off the back of the selection process, I was asked to attend the Junior/U23 World Championships in Slovakia to support the live competition analysis. The coaches and athletes use the data and video to understand where the athletes have gone wrong and what they can do to improve their time. Being able to travel with the team and observe a competition abroad was an amazing experience.
Tell us about the GB Wheelchair Rugby placement you are now completing in your third year.
I travel to the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall once a month for training camps with the talent squad who are athletes aiming to make the Elite squad at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. I hadn’t realised how extremely tactical the sport is, and is very difficult sport to learn, compared to other sports I've been involved in. Throughout the camps I would film games, assist the coaches in training and react to anything ad-hoc they wanted to look at over the weekend. This could be pick and rolls, truck trailers or if they want to look at key attacks. I would then code those elements live and sometimes feedback live, or otherwise produce a file of clips that the coaches would then show to the team during their daily debrief.
What advice would you give to other students on the performance analysis course or to those who are thinking about doing a performance analysis course?
Do it! If you have a passion for sport and sport analysis, this is a great course. The placement experience at the University of Derby is invaluable. For me, my experience on placements have been a huge factor in the realisation that this is what I want to do. It was when I went to Lee Valley for the canoeing that the penny dropped, and I knew in that moment that this is what I want to do. I think you need to get yourself out there, experience as many different sports as possible, especially those that you aren’t familiar with. As soon as you are there you will learn and pick up the terminology so quickly. When you have knowledge of sport and analysis in general, you can easily apply it to a different sport and environment.
How do you think your experience on the different placements will help you with your future career?
I think the knowledge I have gained in a variety of sports will open many opportunities, because I now have so much experience in multiple different sports. I haven’t limited myself to one sport or environment and I now feel confident that I could take on any sport and be a good analyst for the team. I've got the knowledge, experience and adaptability to be able to pick up different things and learn quickly on the job.
