Colchester United Football in the Community (CUFITC) have been working in partnership with Essex University in supporting international students with work placements during their studies in North Essex.
Two students were selected and have been working within community programmes over the last 10 weeks. The aim of the collaboration is to support international students with experience coaching within community and football environments within the U.K to enhance their studies and experience during their time in Colchester.
The two students were selected after an interview process to join the CUFITC Community Team and support Delivery Staff with their community sessions on a weekly basis. Both students had the opportunity to coach participants from our Male and Female Development Centre Programmes and Grassroots Skills Centre Programme.
Meet the Students:
Changgan Li
Changgan is a student from China, who came to Essex University early this year to study a MSc Masters in Coaching Science.
Changgan shared; “This three-month placement gave me the opportunity to be involved in training players of all ages, both boys and girls and at different levels of their development. This experience also allowed me to look at some of the theoretical elements with a critical eye in a practical setting. Most importantly for me personally, this placement allowed me to critique my performance as a Coach for the first time with the support of professionals. I’m very thankful for having the opportunity to support the CUFITC Staff and gain experience coaching players in the U.K.”
Harsh Madan
Harsh is a student from India, who is also studying for his MSc Masters in Coaching Science at Essex University.
Harsh described his time with CUFITC; “This is an outstanding club, with a positive working atmosphere. Studying the literature and what the research says on papers, is completely different from applying it in the field. To close the gap between theory and practicality, we were offered this opportunity to work with CUFITC. Being an international student, my will and desire to work in the UK, and this has been boosted because of the club and university and the chance they both gave me to come and learn here. This experience has had a great impact on me on and off the pitch and I hope to apply what I’ve learned moving forward.”
Rick Goldsbrough, the CUFITC Community Performance Manager commented; “Both Students have been a pleasure to work with and have integrated into our Community Team very well. They impressed us in the selection process with their passion for improving people as well as footballers and their excitement to contribute to the community within Colchester during their stay. Both have a great future ahead of them wherever they decide to take their coaching career next! We look forward to working with Essex University again in the near future supporting domestic and international students with work placement opportunities during their studies in Colchester.”
For more details on how CUFITC supports and impacts our local community and the projects it runs please visit - https://www.cu-fc.com/fitc/
For more details about Essex University please visit - https://www.essex.ac.uk/