MSc Applied Sports Coaching��Student & External Examiner Comments
#MScAppliedSportsCoachingUL
“This course is a ‘must do’ for any coach open to improving their coaching performance. The course has encouraged me to become more self-reflective in my practice, but more importantly, it has provided me with the tools to do it. The material is presented in a logic and sequential way with readings, podcasts, videos and highly qualified, and interesting guest speakers. One of the highlights of the course is the opportunity to share my thoughts on coaching and my coaching practice with my peers. The individual ‘assists’ and feedback from the group have been invaluable. The diverse range of coaching experience and expertise adds to the mix and the enjoyment. The support and teaching on the course has been first rate from the outset.”
(Michael McCrossan, PE Teacher & Hockey Coach)
“Perhaps the biggest bonus for me was the fact that all the modules and research are applicable to what you are doing “Right Now” so you have the opportunity to go and implement any strategies or methods that you think are appropriate in your own practice immediately. Whilst coaching the successful Munster Women’s Interprovincial team at rugby, I was able to try and implement certain characteristics of what research says is a positive environment, and while not all of it was successful, the feedback from the playing group was very positive..”
(Matt Brown, Munster Senior Ladies Assistant Coach)
“Cannot speak highly enough of this MSc course.
Excellent tutors, great content, as well as top level guest lectures through out.
Genuinely felt like constant CPD & learning through the two years.”
(Damien O’Donoghue, S&C Coach)
“Getting to know my peers has been a highlight. Getting the background to their coaching was interesting and set up the first semester nicely. With regard to the modules, I have taken so much from the coaching behaviour assignment. It was an eye opener for me to look back on my coaching and dissect my behaviours in detail. This study enabled me to create an action plan for me to develop an even more productive coaching environment underpinned by these coaching behaviours.”
(Jim Crawford, Football Coach)
“If you’re interested in expanding your coaching knowledge and learning more about yourself as a coach, relationship building, leadership, and more, then this is certainly a course worth exploring.” (Aaron O’Connell, Basketball Coach)
“The main reason I chose this course was that it is centred on & directly applicable to my coaching. The course has helped me to remove myself from my day to day coaching, consider & document why I coach and is introducing the means by which I can reflect on and improve my practice. Our discussions in class & coffee dock have also thrown up some excellent nuggets on how other coaches/ sports approach common scenarios from a different direction.” Richard Connolly (Athletics Coach)
“The investigation into my own unique coaching process with the invaluable input of my classmates and staff at UL has led to a much greater understanding of what it is I do, and indeed, why I do it. The fluid nature of submissions has allowed me to be creative and build my portfolio in a way that best suits the presentation of my work. Such structure allows me to strike a balance between study, work and my own coaching. I’m excited to continue collaborating with my classmates and the staff at UL who all play such a vital part in providing a well-rounded experience.” Liam Clancy (GAA Coach)
“I’m not sure that other courses would have actually afforded me the same learning experience; it’s not prescriptive – it throws out some ideas, and it allows us to work our way through them and come up with the solutions that best suit ourselves. The way the course is delivered really challenges our thinking on what we do in our practice and it has helped me to continue to evolve as a coach” (Declan Bray, Tennis Coach).
“Participating in this course has really challenged me to look at my coaching process. It has also offered me a broader and more varied library of knowledge, not just from our lectures but from working with the community of coaches I have met” (Donach O’Donnell, Hurling Coach).
“As a coach I do things but sometimes don’t question why and because of this I don't explore the value of my knowledge base, both past and present. Semester 1 has opened up this exploration process for me and given me the skills to validate through peer, research and journal feedback. The semester has probed my coaching, unpacked my thoughts and provided validation techniques for us as coaches to move forward in isolation and with peers to develop our coaching further” (Jonathan Gibson, The Athlete Clinic)
External Examiner
“Overall, the course provides a highly engaging and thought-provoking suit of modules for experienced sports coaching practitioners.”
“The programme team has clearly done a really good job in building a community of scholar-practitioners which is a result of focussing explicitly on small group discussions and interactions. This focus on small group work has been really beneficial and is the lifeblood of a course such as this.”
Dr. Don Vison (12th Oct 2020)