Dumbbells and degrees: University of Stirling Sport launches strength and conditioning internship programme

University of Stirling Sport has announced an exciting new student development initiative with the launch of its new Strength and Conditioning Internship Programme.

Open to students interested in a career in performance sport, the programme has been designed to introduce participants to the concept of strength and conditioning and develop their understanding of the discipline’s key components including physical preparation, physiology and programming.

Phoebe Lloyd-Evans (left) is one of the programme’s inaugural interns.

Playing an active role in the department across the semester, the interns will shadow and support weekly strength and conditioning sessions for the University’s International Sports Scholarship Programme (ISSP) teams and attend regular CPD workshops and lectures and will also receive personalised mentoring support and respected industry certification such as UKSCA membership and first aid qualifications.

The programme helps students develop skills and knowledge through practical participation.

The programme is based on a pyramid structure, with the first group of five participants starting as Junior interns, with promoted Senior and Lead positions becoming available as the programme progresses and the students develop their theoretical and practical knowledge.

Second-year Sport and Exercise Science student, Phoebe Lloyd-Evans, is one of the programme’s inaugural interns and, as a competitive triathlete, has received strength and conditioning support which inspired her to pursue the internship. She said: “I already had quite a big interest in general strength and conditioning and, being a triathlete, felt the programme would allow me to increase my knowledge in the overall area and apply what I’ve learnt in a real training environment.

“I’m really enjoying it and it’s giving us a varied experience because we’re working with a number of different sports.

“And whilst studying it’s allowing us to look at the theoretical aspects of our degree and apply them practically which will be a good thing for my CV going into a working environment.”

The University of Stirling’s Strength and Conditioning Coach, Josh Walsh, manages the programme and has been impressed by the enthusiasm of the interns. He said: “We’re still in the early stages but it’s pleasing to see the interns throw themselves into the work and show such an enthusiasm to learn and develop. We’ve got a comprehensive timetable of activity planned for them and hope they continue to maximise the benefits and opportunities during their time with us.”

David Bond, the University of Stirling’s Head of Performance Sport who led on the development of the internships, added: “Rather than a traditional work experience placement, we wanted to develop a programme that truly benefitted participants and gave them a clear pathway for progression. As well as the potential of expanding skilled workforces at the University, the Strength and Conditioning internships offer a great opportunity for students as they can immerse themselves in an elite working environment, gaining the essential experience needed for entry-level careers in the performance sports industry.”

Details of applications for future stages of the Strength and Conditioning Internship Programme will be announced towards the end of the semester.