Highlighting some elite sporting individuals who are currently coaching at UK Universities.
Earlier this month, The University of Nottingham added professional squash player James Willstrop as part of their coaching staff for the university’s squash programme.
Willstrop, a former world number 1, continues to be an active player on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour and will be working with all levels of the university team going forward.
Having been playing professionally since 2003, James has won numerous titles including three World Team Championships and four British National Championships. Most recently, Willstrop secured his second Commonwealth gold medal in the 2022 games with a victory in the Men’s Doubles, taking his total Commonwealth medal tally to seven.
James is not the only elite coach with a wealth of experience teaching at the UK university level. In fact, there are many current and former sportsmen and women coaching at universities across the country.
Former sportsmen and women coaching at UK universities
Jamie Clapham
Former Premier League Footballer
Jamie Clapham
Former Premier League Footballer
Current Role
Head of Football at Loughborough University
Experience
501 total appearances in Football Leagues and Cups including over 150 Premier League appearances between 2000-2006 with Ipswich Town and Birmingham City.
Honours
First Division Play-Off Winner (Ipswich Town) and League 2 Winner (Notts County).
Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt
Professional Rugby Player
Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt
Professional Rugby Player
Current Role
Women’s Rugby Head Coach at Hartpury University
Experience
60 Caps for England’s Red Roses and appeared in multiple tournaments including two World Cups (2014 and 2017), two Olympics (2016 & 2020), and multiple Six Nations tournaments.
Honours
Rugby World Cup Winner (2014) and 4 times Six Nations Winner.
Laszlo Jakab
Olympic Medal Winning Fencing Coach
Laszlo Jakab
Olympic Medal Winning Fencing Coach
Current Role
Lead Fencing Coach at Durham University
Experience
Over 50 years of Coaching Fencing, Coaching at Olympics and Paralympics (2004, 2008, 2012), 15 years coaching at British Disabled Fencing.
Honours
Coached Hungary to three Olympic Medals, Multiple Hungary National Titles, 5x BUCS Championships Winning Coach.
Stef Collins
Former Great Britain Basketball Player
Stef Collins
Former Great Britain Basketball Player
Current Role
Women’s Basketball Head Coach at Cardiff Met University
Experience
Currently the Assistant Coach of GB Basketball, Stef was previously a player for the Cardiff Met Archers side before becoming Head Coach.
Honours
Earned 152 international caps, represented her country at the Olympics and won a Silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
Sam Patterson
Former England Lacrosse International
Sam Patterson
Former England Lacrosse International
Current Role
Head of Lacrosse at Nottingham Trent University
Experience
Former England Assistant Coach who has also represented England in European and World Championships as a player.
Honours
4 x European Club Championships, 7 x Premier League Champion with Stockport Lacrosse, 3 x European Championship Gold Medallist, and 4 x BUCS National Championships (as a coach).
Craig Winrow
Olympic 800m Semi-Finalist
Craig Winrow
Olympic 800m Semi-Finalist
Current Role
Endurance Performance Centre Coordinator and Performance Coach at St Mary’s University
Experience
Has 15 years of coaching experience at St Mary’s University, as well as 6 years of collegiate coaching experience in the US. Has also coached athletes at the Olympic and World Championship level including Adelle Tracey and Andrew Osagie.
Honours
800m European Junior Champion and Semi-Finalist in the 800m at the 1996 Olympics.
Play sport alongside your UK university studies
The university staff here are just a handful of the high-profile sportsmen and women who are employed by UK Universities.
Throughout the UK there are elite-level coaches in a variety of sports, giving students the opportunity to enhance and develop their skills by learning from experienced sporting professionals.
At The Student Sport Company, we specialise in aiding international students in their pursuit of continuing their education alongside playing sport. Our service is tailored to what you are looking for and through relations with coaches across the nation we can locate the right opportunities for you.
Find out more about who we are and the service that we offer via the link below!
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