A student who helped Tamworth FC on their incredible FA Cup run this year for his university placement has been given a permanent job by the club.
Ethan Parker will graduate this week after completing the final year of his Sports Coaching degree at the University of Worcester, during which he worked with Tamworth FC in their ‘David vs Goliath’ tie with Tottenham Hotspur.
He’s one of many graduates who’ll take to the stage at Worcester Cathedral to receive their diplomas in one of the most special weeks of the year for the University of Worcester.
Ethan started his placement as a Performance Analyst at Tamworth FC in August and is one of several members of staff at the club who are either current or former students or staff at the University of Worcester.
While the FA Cup match against Tottenham led to a disappointing 3-0 defeat for Tamworth, the whole experience has led to an incredible job offer for the Worcester student.
“I started off at the club doing pre-game analysis, producing opposition reports,” said Ethan. “Since then, I’ve improved what we’re doing with multiple cameras set up around the goals, and we’re able to analyse so much more now.”
Having the opportunity to explore different disciplines on his course helped him discover a passion and turn it into a career.
He said: “It started when I did performance analysis as a module at university. From then I was just hooked. I realised that’s what I wanted to do as a career and my whole mindset shifted.”
Alongside his new role at Tamworth, he’ll also be back at the University of Worcester studying for a Master’s in Applied Performance Analysis, which his new employer will be funding.
He said: “The support from my lecturers has been immense, I’ve been speaking to them weekly and asking how I can improve myself. I can’t fault them for how much they’ve helped me to improve myself and improve the standards at Tamworth to get everything to where it is now.”
He added: “When I look back at my work from when I first started to just now it’s surreal to see how much it has changed and developed.”
Tim Dudding, Academy Manager & 1st Team Coach at Tamworth FC, said: “I’m incredibly proud of Ethan. He has earned this opportunity through sheer hard work and commitment,particularly during his third-year placement with us last season.”
He said: “The University of Worcester does a fantastic job of preparing its students for the realities of the working world, and their placement modules fit perfectly with the hands-on experience we offer.”
He added: “We now have five former graduates working here, all of whom have made a real impact.”
Helen Hope, Deputy Head of the School of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “Ethan’s journey through his Sports Coaching degree is a true success story. He discovered a passion which transformed his motivation and drive.”
She continued: His hands-on experience with Tamworth FC cemented his ambition to become a full-time analyst, and he’s now set to take the next step by studying a Master’s with us.”
She added: “I have no doubt he’ll continue to go from strength to strength.”
To find out more about the course Ethan studied on at the University of Worcester, visit the Physical Education and Sports Coaching webpage.
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk