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Professor Lauren Sherar, Acting Dean of the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences opened with a keynote speech. She talked about her joy of being at Loughborough and the fantastic students and staff.
Throughout the day, a variety of topics were available for students to choose from. These talks were split up into five sessions. Students heard a talk on sports nutrition from alumnus Max Haskell, Sports Nutritionalist at NFL, England Netball, Lightning Netball & TASS. Bradley Pryjmachuk, Customer Solutions Manager at Hudl spoke about performance analysis, while alumnus Jack Tompkins, Director and Producer at Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC and ITVX spoke on sports media. Alumnus Simon Bayliff, founder of Arete discussed sports agents, and James Barlow, Head of Coaching at Portsmouth Football Club talked about sports coaching.
Another set of sessions followed in the afternoon. Alumna Anna Nelson is Strength and Conditioning coach at University of Nottingham and covered strength and conditioning. The topic of sports marketing was discussed by alumna Georgia Ball who is a Senior Marketing Executive at British Triathlon Federation. Laura Hillyard, graduate from Loughborough, Athlete, Sports Event Manager and Consultant at Yaura Agency, spoke about sports events and operations. Becky Walker, alumna and Club Growth and Programme Manager at Swim England explored sport development and careers within a national governing body. Additionally, alumnae Dani Broom and Megan Macer, who are Physical Education Teachers at Rawlins Academy Loughborough, talked about PE teaching.
The topic of sports psychology was covered by alumni Olivia Garrod, Alex Ibbs and Sam Stewart who are training to be Sport and Exercise Psychologists. Other attendees took the opportunity to hear about Exercise Physiology with Matt Annals, Senior Exercise Physiologist in Cardiac Rehabilitation at University College London NHS. Another topic explored was data driven sports consulting with alumna Francesca Powel, Talent Executive at Two Circles. Students also heard from alumna Niyati Bharucha, Head of Marketing at India on Track, as she discussed working for an international sports organisation.
Later, attendees had the chance to hear about human performance and rehab with alumnus Eddy Fuller, Human Performance Coach (Rehabilitation) at UK Ministry of Defence. During this session, Ryan Cartledge-Taylor, Strength and Conditioning Coach at Loughborough Sport, spoke about sports science and performance support. Plus, alumnus George Mullis, Exercise and Physical Activity Therapist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital delivered a speech about exercise and physical health.
Finally, to end the day, there was a session on the future of careers and leadership in sport. Chaired by alumna Sue Anstiss, CEO Fearless Women and Women’s Sport Collective, the panel discussed what they believe the future needs of the workforce will be in terms of skills, competencies, and behaviours for getting into, and pursuing a career within sport.
Joining the all-women panel was Navjeet Sira, CEO of The Change Foundation and alumnae Abby Carrington, Player Wellbeing Program Manager at Man United Football Club, Hannah Wilkes, Presenter and Reported at Sky Sports, and Michelle Dite, Operations Director at the All England Lawn Tennis Club Wimbledon.
The panel also discussed non-linear career paths, the way people lead in the sports industry and how this is changing, and advice for those looking for roles in sport.
A careers exhibition also took place through the day with over 30 organisations, including Adidas, BLK BOX, West Ham United FC, Lawn Tennis Association, British Rowing, and British Psychological Society joining to meet students with a desire to work in the industry.
Many exhibitors and speakers stayed on for a finalists’ networking session to share advice and insights with students.
The Talk Sport Conference continues to be a key event for the next generation of sports professionals, highlighting the strong relationship between the University’s alumni and current students.
If you are interested in getting involved with the Talk Sport Conference next year, please get in touch.