Work experience with Derby County Football Club enhances Arlan’s career prospects

Invaluable opportunities

Arlan completed a voluntary internship at Derby County Football Club Academy. This allowed him to gain experience within a category 1 academy. He applied what he had learnt in the classroom and enhanced his skills in a real-world setting.

Arlan’s main role was assisting the schoolboy fixtures of the academy (U8-U14). He also assisted the full-time members of staff with further academy teams (U15-U23). During the schoolboy fixtures, he captured footage of full fixtures and code match instances using elite performance analysis software. Arlan also travelled around the country visiting other academies. This gave him the chance to network with industry professionals.

Arlan is grateful for the experience he gained as it:

“Provided me with a chance to stand out from others. Having two years of experience within the performance analysis industry is great on your CV. The experience provided me with the skill set needed to become a performance analyst. I have also developed interpersonal skills to be able to work as part of a team within an elite setting.”

Industry-standard technologies

Arlan decided to study at the University of Derby as the course introduced him to industry-standard technologies and techniques that are used in a wide range of sports. Arlan stated that “The sport centre facilities were a major attraction. The facilities offered state of the art equipment that supported the content of the course. Also, the placement opportunities at several elite clubs provided the perfect opportunity to gain experience within the industry.”

Stand out from the crowd

Arlan’s internship enabled him to reflect on his experiences and allowed him to excel in his studies. Along with the support and guidance from his lecturers who encouraged him to “achieve the best work possible, by offering individual support and ensuring development as an individual."

Since graduating, Arlan has secured a part-funded MRes in Sport and Exercise Science by Derby County Football Club at the University of Derby.

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His advice to anyone considering studying at the University of Derby is “to make the most of the opportunities presented. Strong placement links offer the perfect opportunity to gain experience. They give you the chance to develop your ability to use industry-standard software. This will support your chances of achieving a career at an elite level.”

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