Sam Rose, Graduate
BA Sports Studies, 2009-2012

In 2012 I graduated from the University of Bedfordshire after studying Sports Studies. This course gave me a wide range of practical knowledge and experiences, and a great insight into what a future career in sport may look like with a wide range of career options available on completion of the course.

The facilities, wide range of modules to choose from and support from lecturers played a huge role in the three years I spent at the University of Bedfordshire, and I thoroughly enjoyed the course. On completion of my course I felt ready to face the world of employment and a lot more confident when I began interviewing for potential jobs.

At the end of 2012, I was employed by Hertfordshire Cricket as a Community Coach working in schools in the West of Hertfordshire. Immediately I was able to use the coaching skills I had learnt both at the University and through additional courses that I gained whilst studying, supported by the University. The plan for me was always to try and move towards Sports Development, as well as coaching and I was lucky enough to be able to progress into a Cricket Development Officer role for Hertfordshire Cricket between October 2013 until September 2017.

Recently, I was appointed as a Club & Community Manager for Cricket East, working closely with clubs & leagues in the East Region to offer them support on funding, junior age group programmes, league partnerships, volunteer engagement, school to club migration, coach education, club development, and other generic advice.

In addition to this I have been lucky enough to return to the University of Bedfordshire through my job with Cricket East, building a partnership with them to run CPD courses for Primary & Secondary student teachers to help make them feel more confident in delivering cricket within an educational setting before they begin their journeys as qualified teachers.

My time as a student at the University of Bedfordshire was thoroughly enjoyable, and without doubt aided me in being able to find employment soon after graduation and build a career in sport.