2014 and 2015

I'm a Education Coordinator for the Tennis Integrity Unit

After graduating I was lucky enough to secure a role working in the Tennis Development and Integrity Department of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the world governing body of tennis. I was fortunate that this role was based in Valencia, Spain so over the 2+ years I spent in this position I was able to improve my Spanish language skills to a near-fluent level and live in what I think is one of Europe’s best cities.

My experience working for the ITF was a really enjoyable one as I was able to be involved in several great projects including; helping to organise two Worldwide Coaches Conferences - the showpiece event of the tennis coaching world, help create coaching and sport science education resources used by coaches and players all over the world in addition to working with leading specialists in tennis such as Judy Murray and Francisco Roig, one of Rafael Nadal's coaches.

I’m now back in London working in the education team at the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU), the organisation responsible for enforcing tennis’ rules on match-fixing, betting relating corruption and from 2021 also responsible for anti-doping in tennis. I really enjoy my current role and learning more about the importance of integrity in professional sport and how match-fixing, betting-related corruption and doping are some of the most prevalent threats to sport in today’s world has been a fantastic experience. Knowing that I am playing a small part in helping to provide useful education and raise awareness for the professional tennis world in this area acts as huge motivation every day.

Both my undergraduate and postgraduate courses prepared me for my career by covering a wide range of subjects and disciplines within sport and sport science which has given me a lot of knowledge and skills that I've applied in each of my post-university roles to date.

I received great support from my lecturers in the Sport Science and Physical Activity department as they helped me to engage with useful contacts in the industry, suggested local work experience opportunities and often did a lot to be available outside of contact hours when needed. The university’s recreational sport programme was also fantastic in facilitating myself, the university tennis club, and British Tennis to develop a comprehensive tennis participation programme at the university for students, staff and also the local community.

Diverse

Competing against other university tennis teams in BUCS and making great friends, many of whom I'm still regularly in touch with after starting at the University of Bedfordshire almost ten years ago.

Enjoy your time at university! But also try your best to be proactive and make the most of your time outside of lectures. Network, gain qualifications or work experience in the industry you're thinking of going into even if they are initially voluntary/expenses only positions. Try and stay focused on the valuable experiences, skills and relationships you are building for your future.