SPORT COACHING SCIENCE at Canterbury Christ Church University

Sport Coaching Science offers you the opportunity to study and experience sport coaching from an applied base. You will explore the science behind sports performance and physical activity, and have access to a range of excellent coaching resources and sports facilities.

You will enjoy modules in coaching theory and practice, you can study a range of disciplines including the analysis of sport performance, psychology, physiology, and sociology. To enhance your studies, you will have access to the latest technology including laboratories, gas and body composition analysis, cardiac and vascular ultrasound, force mat and platform assessment tools, 3D high speed filming and eye tracker hardware.

Importantly, the opportunity to undertake coaching placements and work alongside expert coaches will give you valuable practical experience.

You will explore areas including:

• sport coaching pedagogy
• sport coaching in context
• sport coaching excellence

Why Sport Coaching Science?

Our Sport Coaching Science course includes applied sport coaching with sport and exercise science. This provides you with the opportunity to explore the exciting and challenging world of sport coaching with the underpinning science associated with coaching individuals and teams.

It builds on the reputation of sport and exercise sciences which has been well established at Canterbury Christ Church, having been successfully delivered for over 35 years. You will have access to a range of excellent coaching resources at our sport centres provided by the University and in partnership at Polo Farm Sports Club. This allows for a varied student learning experience where theoretical understanding can be contextualised through practical experience.

The opportunity to experience coaching placements is embedded in the second and third year of the degree. In partnership with sport clubs you will be guided to work with qualified coach mentors. This will normally consist of a 40 hours coaching placement in year two and 60 hours in year three. You will be supported to identify a coaching placement which will provide you with a bespoke practical coaching experience whilst under the guidance of a tutor and an experienced coach mentor. The development of professional coaching skills will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of sport coaching.

There are a wide range of coaching providers who have been able to offer sport coaching placements including Polo Farm Sports Club, Kent Cricket Club, Canterbury Rugby Club, Tankerton, Canterbury and Kent wide Football Clubs and the Canterbury Pilgrims Netball Club. Local coaching in Schools include Kent College and the Canterbury Academy.

What will i study?

You will study Sport Coaching and the multidisciplinary subject areas of Sport and Exercise Science including the academic disciplines of biomechanics, physiology, sociology and psychology underpinned by research methods. You will have the opportunity to study core modules associated with the growing profession of sport coaching, including Sport Coaching Pedagogy to understand principles of coach behaviour and Sport Coaching in Practice to engage with practical coaching.

Work experience

As a Sport Coaching Science student you will participate in placements in the second and third year of your degree. This will provide an in-depth and wide range of experiences with sport clubs working with a variety of sport populations.