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Graduate Q&A: Steve Barrett (Sports Coaching)

From the University of Hull to Director of Sport Science and Research Innovation.

Dr Steve Barrett graduated with a degree in Sports Coaching and Performance, followed by an MSc in Sport Science and a PhD in Sport and Exercise Science.

We sat down with Steve to ask him a few questions about his journey to becoming Director of Sport Science and Research Innovation at PlayerMaker.

Steve Barrett, University of Hull alumni
Dr Steve Barrett, Hull Graduate

What did you do after you graduated?

Steve Barrett SHES PhD Hull City FC 1
  • Technical Development Coach/ Lead Sport Scientist/ Performance Analyst/ Scouting – Scunthorpe United football club (Academy/First Team)
  • Head of Sport Science – Perform Better
  • Physical Performance Coach/ Exercise Scientist – The FA (Women’s)
  • Senior Sport Scientist – Hull City
  • Director of Sport Science and Research Innovation - PlayerMaker

 

More importantly, got married and had a beautiful baby boy!

What’s your typical working day?

dr-steve-barrett-sports-coaching-performance-graduate

Everything! This can include performance, coaching, analysis, science, research and medical aspects of a practical role. Taking on the director role, I now have an input into aspects of the company including R&D, product, marketing and strategic planning. My work day varies from travelling to consult/support clubs, conducting and writing up research projects, managing a department to presenting to key stakeholders in the business.

What do you love about your job?

The challenges and opportunity to impact not just one club, but support multiple clubs and practitioners all around the world to help improve performance of their athletes and reduce their athletes risk of injury.

What’s been your proudest moment?

From a professional standpoint, the proudest achievement would have to be either graduating my PhD or being part of the team that won the Play-Off Final with my home town club (Hull City).

Steve Barrett SHES PhD Hull City FC 2

Q. How did your time at Hull set you up for success?

dr-steve-barrett-sports-coaching-performance-graduate

Hull provided me with not just a platform but key expertise in my field that could challenge me, better me and help me to attain my aspirations of working in professional sport. It provided me with new friends, colleagues, experiences and most importantly an enjoyable environment to work in.

My most valuable lesson was to never accept what you currently know.

Always challenge yourself in order to better yourself and those around you.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get into the same line of work?

Commit to it. Sacrifices are worth making in the short term to provide the platform for long term goals.

What would you say to anyone who asks: “Is a sports science degree a good career move?”

Depending on the avenue you want to go down yes. However, the job market is becoming saturated and you will only get somewhere if you commit to it and work hard to achieve your goals.

dr-steve-barrett-sports-coaching-performance-graduate
Dr Dteve Barrett, Hull Graduate
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