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Sports Science at UEl gets set for 2012

Thursday 28 August 2008

Following Great Britain’s most successful Olympic Games in over a century, the University of East London (UEL) is already warming up for London 2012 through the development of a wide range of programmes in Sports and Exercise Science.

Places are still available to start this September on innovative courses including BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching, Sports Development, Sports Science, and Fitness and Health, and MSc Exercise Science and Health.

Dr Marcia Wilson, Programme Leader for Sports Science at UEL, said: “With the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place right here on our doorstep in Stratford, there’s never been a better time to start studying Sports Science at the University of East London – and it could help get your career off to a flying start!

“Working with partners locally and globally, we are already playing a vital role in the run-up to 2012, not only through our academic programmes, but also via our research and knowledge exchange, and support in the development of major infrastructure projects in the Olympic Park.

“We’re also working in partnership with other universities and organisations to help inspire and prepare promising and elite athletes for future events; as a UEL Sports Science student, you could well end up training the next generation of Team GB stars! Beijing’s been brilliant for British sport – let’s make 2012 even better!”

A delegation of UEL staff recently returned from a successful mission to the Beijing Olympics, where they built partnerships with Chinese universities, organised and led international seminars and networked with key figures from the Olympic establishment.

Dr Paul Ford, Director of the Sport and Exercise Laboratories at UEL’s Centre for Clinical Education, was among the delegation. Dr Ford said: “Team GB owe a great deal of their success to the hard work of the scientific support staff who work with the athletes directly, advancing their training and recovery, and consequently improving their overall performance.

“When studying Sports Science at UEL, students will have the opportunity to work with elite athletes and build fantastic practical experience of applied work, which could see them helping to increase the potential medal haul for Team GB during London 2012.”

Earlier this year, UEL’s new Centre for Clinical Education in Podiatry, Physiotherapy, Complementary Medicine and Sports Science was opened at Stratford campus by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall. The Centre offers state-of-the-art facilities and teaching laboratories, enabling students to address the study of sport from both a theoretical and practical viewpoint. A new Sports Centre will soon be built at Docklands campus.

Hamiim Lubega, a second-year Sports Coaching student at UEL, is himself hoping to make the Great Britain 400m team in 2012 after narrowly missing out on a place at the Beijing Olympics. The 21 year old from Hackney balances his studies with a full-time training schedule, and is already planning to develop his career in coaching and sports development.

Hamiim said: "The workload is intense, but I'm enjoying it, and my tutors are very supportive. I want to develop my mind as well as my body, and my education is a top priority.”

Sporting stars who have come through UEL’s Sports Science programmes include professional boxer Tony Salam, Jahid Ahmed, of Essex County Cricket Club, and athlete Mo Farah, who competed for Team GB in the 1,500m at the Beijing Olympics.

Alan Gooding (20), of Wanstead, secured a place on UEL’s extended BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Coaching through Clearing in August 2006. Alan said: “I came through Clearing simply because I didn’t get round to applying before the UCAS deadline.

“UEL was always my first choice because it’s close to home and one of the few universities in the UK to offer a Sports Coaching degree. With the Olympics coming to east London, there should definitely be a lot of exciting opportunities in the field."

UEL is a partner in the Newham Sports Academy headed by Javelin Gold-medallist Tessa Sanderson OBE and also sponsors Team Newham in the London Youth Games. The Docklands and Stratford campuses have also been selected to appear in a major national guide listing elite training venues for athletes to use in the run-up to 2012. For further information on UEL’s involvement in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, visit www.uel.ac.uk/2012. 

For full details of all UEL programmes and up-to-date availability of places, call 020 8223 3333 or log on to www.uel.ac.uk/clearing.

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

University of East London: London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Office

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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