University of Wolverhampton sports students net overseas soccer opportunity

Seven sports students have scored placements in USA and Canada with leading international soccer camp.

Following the success of last year’s project, seven more enthusiasts from the University of Wolverhampton will venture to the United States and Canada this summer for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shine on an international stage.

Embarking on a transformative journey, these students at the Wolverhampton University  School of Sport, have secured coveted placements with the Challenger Sports programme. This exclusive initiative offers unparalleled football coaching experience, enabling these aspiring professionals to score early career goals by immersing themselves in real-world expertise.

Supported by the Turing Scheme, seven adept students specialising in Football Coaching and Performance are set to cross the Atlantic to North America and Canada. This overseas adventure serves as a launching pad for their careers, offering an invaluable chance to gather hands-on experience and knowledge in an international setting.

Over the course of three months, these students will find themselves in a new environment, sharing living spaces with host families and navigating new experiences. Their journey includes active participation in the largest soccer camp in North America, providing an immersive experience that goes beyond the boundaries of traditional education.

This unique opportunity piloted by Russel Smith, Academic in the School of Sport, not only broadens their horizons but also equips them with a global perspective on their chosen field. These students are not only scoring goals in soccer but also in their pursuit of professional excellence. This international placement promises to be a defining chapter in their academic and professional journey, setting them apart as global contenders in the competitive arena of sports coaching and performance.

Two of the participants shared their views: 

Craig Holyhead said: "I’ve decided to do my placement overseas because I want to experience different cultures and how they live their own lives. Our football is a whole lot different to theirs in America. I feel like in what we do and what they do, I can give them new ideas and even come back having learnt a few things as well."

Luciano Polvere said: "One way it would help develop a new personal skillset. It’ll also help me experience a new culture, learn skills from new coaches, and allow me to meet new people, which helps with teamwork, vital for employment."  

Lisa Luzajic, International Officer at the University of Wolverhampton said: “This is an excellent opportunity for sport students at the University of Wolverhampton to improve their academic and employability prospects by gaining valuable work experience in the USA and Canada.

“The students also have a fantastic chance to experience another culture, meet new people, and make future contacts which will benefit their sporting careers.”

Find out more about the University’s School of Sport or visit one of our forthcoming Open Days.

For students who are interested in perhaps participating in a Summer Placement elsewhere please contact Lisa Luzajic for further information.