Kieran Craddock

• Year of graduation: 2022
• Current job title: Head of Strength and Conditioning and Deputy Houseparent
• Current employer: Rossall School
• Industry sector: Education

I chose this course at the University of Northampton because of the variety of modules, such as the practical elements (strength and conditioning techniques), as well as the opportunities to learn about the science behind strength and conditioning. What also attracted me to studying at Northampton was the requirement to undertake 150 hours of work placement, which I believed would be essential for my development and my future professional career.

I really enjoyed learning about the science behind strength and conditioning, as well as learning about working with various populations. This allowed me to not only understand the fundamental components which are important as a strength and conditioning coach, but also to learn and understand the aspects to consider when working with different populations.

I also really enjoyed the work experience element of the course, because I was able to put the theory I was learning in my lectures into practice in a sporting environment, which really helped to strengthen my skillset as a future strength and conditioning coach.

Another aspect I really enjoyed at UON was the help and support from my lecturers, as well as the Lead Applied Exercise Scientist from my work experience. All three were a very big help within my professional development, as well as improving my knowledge and understanding within strength and conditioning.

I was able to complete two work placements as part of my postgraduate course. My first was at Northants Basketball Club, where I was the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the under 15/16s for the 2021-2022 season. My duties within this role were to create training programmes to help improve athletic performance and manage injuries and I was also required to test athletes every six weeks to assess their performance levels.

I was very fortunate to do a second work placement, working as the assistant to the Applied Exercise Scientist at UON, Luke Callis. My role was to support Luke by assisting with and leading on aspects within testing days with different organisations in Northampton, as well as regularly working with UON scholar athletes as part of their training programmes across the different sports they played.

This experience was particularly valuable to me, as I was able to learn from a very experienced coach which had a big impact on my professional development. I was also able to use a wide range of equipment the University had to offer, such as force decks, Nord boards, and time gates, which are all essential pieces of equipment used in the role of a strength and conditioning coach.

Both of my work experiences were very valuable to me as I was able to work with a range of athletes across different levels of ability, as well as use a range of different equipment and expand my practical skills and knowledge as a coach/practitioner. I was also able to develop key skills such as leadership, professional communication, and teamwork. Other essential employability skills I developed during my placements were timekeeping, experience of working within a professional strength and conditioning session, experience of creating training programmes and working with different athletes, experience of using a wide range of strength and conditioning equipment, and presentation/Excel skills.

I think my placements were a massive help in gaining employment after graduating – they were essential parts of my career development and enabled me to secure a role within the industry. They allowed me to not only develop professionally, but also enabled me to gain experience of what it was like to work in a professional strength and conditioning environment.

My tips for applying for, or getting the most benefit from your placement, are to write a CV/covering letter detailing the skills you can bring to the role and what you want to gain from the experience. Also, get involved in working within different sports and with different populations, as this will enhance your professional development as a strength and conditioning coach and you’ll be able to gain huge benefits from this development. I’d also advise you to seek advice from the staff at UON, who will be able to support you in finding work placements, as well as giving you any advice you may need while you’re undertaking them.

When you’re about to begin a placement, try to work with an experienced coach and be mentored by them, as this will really increase your knowledge and understanding. Also, ask questions, network, try to do multiple work experiences in different sports, ages and populations, and seek support from UON staff as they will be happy to help you. Finally, enjoy it and be passionate about it.

In terms of my career progression so far, my first full-time role is as the Head of Strength and Conditioning and Deputy Houseparent at Rossall School, a boarding school in Fleetwood. In this role I work with various students of 11-18 years old, with different levels of ability – these could be students who play for their country within their sport, or have ambitions to play professionally, through to working with students that have never been to a gym and want to start. My role is to design programmes and lead strength and conditioning sessions with different athletes in different sports (e.g., hockey, cricket, netball, football, golf). To do this, I work alongside the head of each sport across the various age groups and levels of ability, as well as working closely with the Assistant Head of Sport, Assistant Director of Sport, and other PE staff to design strength and conditioning sessions and PE lessons as part of the school PE curriculum.

I also monitor the athletic performance of athletes within different organisations within the school (e.g., Lancaster cricket and England golf). Working with the student athletes in the school I apply the strength and conditioning techniques I’ve learnt through my MSc degree. I also carry out research, through my own regular reading, to help develop the athletic performance of the athletes in order to improve the development of the student athletes we have at our school.

If I could give a piece of advice to undergraduates interested in this career path it would be to take every opportunity offered to you and get the most that you can out of the experience.

The University of Northampton is a great university, which was really important for my career development and my plan for the future is to keep developing my career as a strength and conditioning coach.