Priceless experience helps Will gain a paid role
Will Salt is currently a third year studying BSc (Hons) Performance Analysis and Coaching Science at the University of Derby. He has gained work experience with University of Derby Badminton team, Nottingham Forest Academy and has recently completed his Industrial Placement Year with Southampton Academy. He currently balances his studies with a paid analysis role within Aston Villa’s Academy.
What are you doing now and how were you first exposed to applied performance analysis?
My first experience of analysis in football and how the industry works was in my second year of studying. I was casually filming training sessions, games and then sitting in on a few pre- and post-match meetings at Nottingham Forest. This experience covered a whole host of age groups and was a good exposure to life at a club.
Now I'm in my third year studying and working at Aston Villa with the foundation phase (U9-11). This involves being around on match days to film the games, code the games live and put together the pre-match meetings. I present these to the players and coaches, and it is something I have full control over which is a great learning experience.
What did you learn on the early modules at university that you were able to take into that first placement?
It sounds basic, but how to use Sportscode extremely well and efficiently. How to code, create organisers, use the matrix, use the sorter, pull any video and data out quickly for whoever needs it. I was then able to use that expertise within industry straight away. I was involved with the University of Derby’s Badminton team during first year where I undertook various bits of filming for them. Having that skill set straight away when I went into the football environment allowed me to hit the ground running. It gave me an understanding of what was a good view, what would a coach be looking for or interested in.
What point did you decide you wanted to do an Industrial Placement Year (IPY)?
Probably in my second year. Once working at Forest, I knew I really wanted more exposure to the performance analysis environment coding and working closely with coaches. At Forest, I was working with different age groups each week, but I wanted my own team to work with to see how I could develop them while growing my own skills across the year, which the IPY provided.
What was the day-to-day at Southampton like within your placement year?
I was working with the U18s and U21s which involved filming and clipping videos of training for the coaches. I supported the lead analyst for the relevant age group with opposition dossiers, footage and content creation for 1-to-1 meetings between players and coaches. From here I led the U12/U13s, which involved working really closely with the coaches to create pre- and post-match meetings. This led to an opportunity at the start of the season to work full-time for the U16s in the interim before I went back to university.
What would you say is the main thing you have learned from your placement year?
Building really good relationships is the number one take away. The coaches and other analysts are people who you may come across further down the line at different clubs, so ensuring those relationships and networks are strong is key. Building relationships with players is also essential, especially as they will be looking to make use of your work to improve and win matches.
Have you supported any players and provided analysis for players that has gone on to play in the first team?
I was involved in a lot of the Individual Development Plan (IDP) clips for Tyler Dibling, Sam Amo-Ameyaw, and Jayden Meghoma who were all transitioning from the U21s up to the first team. I spent a lot of time looking at the IDPs and finding clips of them which the coaches in the first team would then sit down with them to delve into further. They have all gone onto Premier League level or got a decent move elsewhere. Tyler (Dibling) is currently playing regularly in the Premier League, Sam (Amo-Ameyaw) is in and out of the first team squad, and then Jayden (Meghoma) got a move to Brentford on deadline day for about £10 million.
What were some of the things that you learned in first and second year that you were able to apply in that real-world environment?
Building code windows and developing confidence within the assessments where we would present back our work in a meeting style scenario, similar to how we had done in applied practice. These were set up in a pre- and post-match style which was great experience, providing me with confidence when speaking in front of people to deliver my work. As a result, when I started at Southampton, I had already gained a lot of exposure to this.
What is the biggest highlight so far in your developing career?
My biggest highlight was probably being offered the paid role full time for the Southampton U16s over the summer between finishing my placement year and returning to university. It was great to have that recognition of how well I had done. They wanted to keep me on for as long as possible, but I had to also come back and finish my studies. I had lots of good praise from the coaches, who wanted me to stay – that was a proud moment.
You are now working with Aston Villa, how did that opportunity come about and what does it involve?
Someone contacted me who I had worked with previously to see if I was interested. I had an interview and I must have really impressed them. In terms of what it involves, I work with three age groups. On a weekend there'll be one or two age groups playing at home, so a lot of that part of the role will be live coding and filming the games. Before this though, I will work on putting together a pre-match meeting based on the themes and principles we are looking to take into the game. I'll deliver that to the players about an hour before kick-off. I will also film certain training sessions depending on the focus. For example, we are working lots on coach development, which involves micing up all the coaches and then working with the coach analyst on the analysis side of things regarding how, when, and where they interact with players, what do they say, this type of thing.
What advice would you give to a student in second year thinking about doing an industrial placement?
Definitely do it. I think it's vital to get that year experience working day-to-day in a football club or any other type of sport. Really get involved and do as much as you can. Sitting in meetings is also really important as you still learn even if you don't say much or have much input initially. Try to gain as much experience as you can before you leave university as it is the best time to get those opportunities.
How do you feel about your career prospects now you have had placements in Badminton, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Aston Villa?
Really good. I've developed lots of key relationships, worked at three different football clubs and now know lots of different people in the industry that I wouldn't have before. This has set me up well and I feel really confident in going for job interviews for different roles, knowing full well that my capabilities and experience match exactly what is needed in the environments (football) that I want to be successful in.
What is the nicest thing your coach has said to you?
Probably how they've really benefited from my analysis, and like my coaching points. Also that everything wouldn’t have gone as smoothly if I wasn't there.
