Conference hopes to "inspire the next generation of sports professionals"

Thursday 05 October 2023

University College Jersey is hosting a Higher Education Sport Conference next week to celebrate five years of local provision of degree-level sports and "inspire the next generation of sports professionals".

This conference – which is open to all Sixth Form students and selected Year 11 students currently studying sport – will feature expert speakers from the industry.

Each speaker will discuss the career pathway they took and what their role entails in order to give students an insight into the journey into the professional world of sport.

Various facets of the sports industry will be represented at the conference – including sport nutrition, physiotherapy, coaching, teaching and anti-doping. 

The UCJ HE Sport Conference offers an opportunity for students to delve into the inner workings of sports science, coaching and health.

It promises to be "an invaluable resource for students pursuing careers in sport, providing insights and working knowledge of the industry".

Deputy Head of University College Jersey and the driving force behind the conference, Andrew McGinnigle explained: "We believe that through improving understanding of the various career pathways in sport, health and physical activity, young people will be enabled to make informed choices about their future.

"This conference aims to ignite curiosity and inspire the next generation of sports professionals."

Assistant Minister with responsibility for sport, Deputy Lucy Stephenson, said: “I am delighted to see such an interesting and diverse line up of speakers and subjects for the UCJ Higher Education Sport Conference, and I hope that those attending will be just as impressed and inspired on the day.

"Sport is a wide area, and there are many different and exciting opportunities for local young people to pursue a career linked to it. I hope that this event will help them to explore that potential.”

Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Inna Gardiner, added: “The Sport provision at Highlands College has been welcomed by many students, who have benefitted from the ability to study on-island to a high standard.

"I’m pleased to see that all students – past and present – will benefit from this opportunity to see all the careers paths and opportunities that are open to them.”