Sports students promote active Island
Students are learning from the Island’s sports professionals as part of a degree-level course that prepares University College Jersey (UCJ) students to play an active role in making Jersey a healthier and more active place.
University College Jersey’s Higher National Diploma in Sport, which started in September 2019, was designed in partnership with representatives from the sports industry, including Jersey Sport and the Jersey Sport Foundation. This level 4/5 programme is equivalent to two years of a degree.
It is hoped that, by training in Jersey with the help of local sports professionals, students will acquire the skills to work in a variety of sports-related fields that are currently under represented. These include roles such as community club coaches, sports physiologists and strength-conditioning coaches, as well as working to implement programmes to reduce obesity and promote health and wellbeing.
Lessons are taught by sports professionals and lecturers, and students can undertake work experience in various sports-related areas.
Assistant Education Minister Deputy Jeremy Maçon said: “In order to make Jersey a more active place, we need a well-trained and skilled workforce of sports professionals. One of the goals of University College Jersey is to help students acquire a wealth of knowledge and experience, and this course will ensure that students gain skills in sport, fitness and health along with industry-recognised qualifications, all of which will give them the best possible start to their careers.”
The content of the sports course has been tailored, in partnership with local sports professionals, to meet local demand for future roles and trends in the Island.
Student Dan Hocquard said: “Having lectures taught by Jersey Sport Foundation and Jersey Sport and being able to use their high-level facilities and equipment is a great and different way to learn and opportunity you wouldn’t get anywhere else on the Island.”
Student Jazmin Mauger added: “Being taught by Jersey Sport and Jersey Sport Foundation allows us to have a better insight into what working with athletes is like. It allows us to expand our knowledge by using their resources whilst also being taught by professionals in those specific areas.”
Students are taught by sport science and development experts as well as by professionals from the Jersey Sport Foundation and Jersey Sport.
The Jersey Sport Foundation’s John Scriven said: “This course marks a change in education to highlight what quality professional sport and activity is about. Providing an educational opportunity for local students that is as good if not better than their UK counterparts in sport and exercise science is the central theme to our involvement in the project. The benefit to the programme for local students is that the information is made specific to the demands of future roles and trends in the Island, making students much more employable locally afterwards, which may keep the skills in Jersey. In addition, the collaboration with the main employers in sport and exercise ensures that students are well known and visible.”
David Kennedy, General Manager of Jersey Sport, said: “The partnership between University College Jersey, the Jersey Sport Foundation and ourselves to deliver this course is an excellent opportunity for students to learn and understand the social, cultural, economic and environmental factors that are bespoke to creating an active Jersey, as well as developing future staff who are ready for the workplace.”
The Higher National Diploma in Sport is equivalent to two years of higher education. Subject to validation and demand, University College Jersey will provide a third top-up year so that students can achieve a full sport degree on-Island.