By Gary Murray and Marc McJimpsey - Sport & Fitness Lecturers at West College Scotland

In a pioneering initiative now entering its third consecutive year, West College Scotland has provided an enriching internship opportunity for its HND Sports Coaching students. This unique programme, created through a dynamic partnership between the College and Kilmarnock Football Club, has allowed our talented students to gain insight into the world of sports analysis.

Sports analytics involves using data to enhance the performance of athletes and teams. It is an ever-growing aspect of the modern game that helps improve coaching techniques by providing clear insights, which help to optimise training and tactics. We felt this was a key skill for our students to develop as they move into the world of sport and fitness.

A Collaborative Beginning

Our partnership with Kilmarnock FC began when the club approached us to collaborate in providing performance analysis support for their academy teams. This unique internship opportunity offered our coaching students invaluable experience at a top-flight club, allowing them to record match-day footage and contribute to the analysis process. They would have the opportunity to work alongside their expert analysts, gaining both live work experience and transferrable technology skills to take into their future careers. This collaboration exemplifies the practical learning opportunities we strive to create at West College Scotland.

Support from West College Scotland

The college has played a pivotal role in enabling us to establish and facilitate this partnership. Allocated time was made available within our workloads to manage and oversee the collaboration as well as assistance to ensure smooth implementation. From our Curriculum Quality Leaders, guidance and mentorship was provided to align the partnership with the needs of both students and Kilmarnock FC.

This invaluable support allowed us to focus on crafting meaningful student development opportunities while addressing the professional demands of the club.

Educational Goals

Having established the key goal of providing our students the opportunity to gain sector-leading skills alongside work experience at a well-respected club, we were keen to align the programme with wider educational goals, ensuring it delivers maximum value to students and reinforces their readiness for the professional sports industry.

These goals include:

• Practical Skill Development and Industry Relevance: Students gain hands-on experience in performance analysis, video recording, and match review while being exposed to the latest practices and technologies used by professional clubs.
• Professionalism and Career Pathways: Develop key workplace skills like communication and teamwork, while creating connections that open doors for future roles in coaching and performance analysis.
• Bridging Theory and Practice: Students apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, deepening their understanding of coaching and analysis concepts.
• Feedback and Continuous Improvement: Ongoing feedback from both college staff and club professionals fosters growth in technical and professional competencies.
• Reflective Practice and Engagement: Students critically evaluate their performance, promoting lifelong learning and increasing motivation through real-world applications of their studies.

Ongoing Support

West is committed to supporting the partnership's growth by promoting it as a flagship initiative to attract student interest and maintain engagement.

Regular evaluations with staff, students, and club representatives ensure continuous improvement and relevance. The curriculum is adjusted to incorporate learnings from the internship, allowing students to integrate practical experiences with academic work. Additionally, West has begun expanding opportunities by partnering with more clubs, increasing student placements, and diversifying roles in areas like coaching, sports science, and scouting.

Looking Ahead

We are delighted to have collaborated with Kilmarnock FC to offer our students an enriching experience that goes beyond the classroom.

The internship programme has been a tremendous success so far, fostering skill development and creating lasting connections between our students and industry leaders within the world of football. Kilmarnock FC's commitment to mentoring and guiding our students will not only enrich their academic journey, but also cultivate a spirit of collaboration between our educational institution and the esteemed football club. As our students return to West College Scotland, they will bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experiences that will undoubtedly shape their future careers in the sports industry.

This partnership between West College Scotland and Kilmarnock FC is a testament to the power of collaboration in education. By aligning academic goals with real-world professional opportunities, we have created a framework that benefits both our students and the professional sports industry. We look forward to expanding this initiative, ensuring our students continue to excel and thrive in their chosen careers.