Graduate secures top golf management role

UCLan Sports Management graduate Tom Lynch has landed a top executive position as the regional Director of Golf for Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.

Tom previously worked in a variety of roles for De Vere Group before taking up his new appointment, which gives him responsibility for Linden Hall in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders club Cardrona near Peebles.

The 28-year-old began playing golf 20 years ago at Stocksfield Club, Nothumberland, where he is still a member.

He said: "I don't feel I have been fast-tracked or anything like that. Anybody who works in golf will tell you it is labour-intensive and you either put in the hard yards or opportunities do not happen for you.

"My background is the joy of playing the sport I love – and enjoying a short spell of coaching in America just after leaving UCLan – followed by, if you like, the 'real world' of playing my part in helping to make sure De Vere operated successfully.

"Macdonald Hotels have offered me scope to develop both the operational standards and commercial side at a time when we are investing heavily in the two courses."

Tom started his working life at Slaley Hall in 2008, before becoming De Vere’s UK membership services manager, contributing to a massive rise in numbers nationally during the peak years of the De Vere Club boom, while still being based at Slaley.

Tom added: "My one main central workplace until now has been Slaley. I made good friends there and it was where I met my wife Vikki when she was working on the conference and events side of the business.

"I have fond memories of some great characters both on the staff and among the members. In some ways it was a wrench to leave, but this was far too good an opportunity to pass up."

Riku takes scenic route to Warriors

From Finland to Wigan, via Cyprus and Preston – it's a long journey, but one which helped programme graduate Riku Jokela secure an internship role with one of the UK's top sports clubs.

Whilst studying International Business at Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK) in Finland, Riku joined an exchange programme to Cyprus which enabled him to add some Sports Business qualifications to his CV.

Riku said: "I realised the combination of sports and business would be a match made in heaven for me, as sports had always played an important role in my life.

"I applied for four Universities in the UK, but had the feeling that UCLan would be the best option for my Master's as the course focused on sports marketing.

"In addition, an active communication from the course leader played a pivotal role and I felt like I was really wanted on board. The course was fantastic with interesting modules which put emphasis on the fundamental aspects of sports marketing, professional development and strategic thinking for sports managers.

"The tutors were always there for us - whenever I had any questions they always had time to have a little chat with me. I particularly enjoyed the Consultancy Project module which enables students to make a difference in a real-life context.

"The course was really intensive and challenging, but eventually I was able to create a clear study plan which resulted in great academic results. I feel I became much more determined and disciplined, as I was also working at Wigan Warriors twice a week which was not always easy as I was a full-time student at the same time."

Riku has worked as a Marketing Coordinator for the Warriors since December 2013 and is currently overseeing a project which aims to enhance the value of season tickets. He is looking to establish partnerships with local businesses and is trying to find ways to reward Warriors' loyal season ticket holders.

He added: "I was honoured when I got an opportunity to work at one of the biggest sports club in England. Working here has given me a deep insight into what it actually takes to work at a big, successful sports organisation.

"It has been such a great experience to see how things are planned and carried out in practice. I've tried to learn as much as possible from my bosses and everyone who works at the Club. In addition, working at matchdays has opened my eyes in terms of seeing how many things are going on and how carefully Super League home matches are planned in advance.

"I hope I'm able to find a good job after having graduated from UCLan. The combination of my Master's and experience at Wigan Warriors will hopefully open many doors in the future. I'm constantly monitoring job prospects and I'm willing to go to work anywhere in the world. I'm convinced there might be some good opportunities for me in Finland, as you basically cannot study sports marketing there.

"I really enjoyed my Master's studies at UCLan. The campus is a really great one and there are some fantastic opportunities for students, such as UCLan Sports Arena or Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre."

Master's graduate progresses into senior teaching role

Our Master's programme provides a platform to a variety of careers in the Sports Management industry.

Catherine Elliott started her Master's soon after becoming a teacher, after realising she wanted to teach sport at a University.

She joined UCLan on a part-time basis, juggling a near full-time role at Preston's College with family life, but Catherine says her hard work has definitely paid off.

She commented: "There was a small cohort and we were really supportive of each other. I still keep in touch with a small group of friends I made at UCLan.

"The teaching staff were very helpful and understanding towards my work/life situation – they all provided excellent support and feedback and my writing and approach to coursework improved throughout the course.

"I even surprised myself by securing high grades in Economics and Sports Finance despite hating Maths! Sue Minton was my dissertation supervisor and was very supportive. I really struggled with trying to find the time to write, culminating in having to hide in Anglesey for a month on my summer holiday to get my dissertation written, but Sue was never more than a phone call away."

During her time on the course Catherine took part in a weekend visit to Lilleshall National Sports and Conferencing Centre, where she was able to see the practicalities of managing a large sporting facility which caters for several sports at an elite level.

After graduating, Catherine moved into programme leader roles in further education, before becoming Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). She has also just started her PhD researching volunteering in sport.

Catherine added: "I found the course to be really useful as it looked at the wider picture of Sports Management and I was able to link the coursework to case studies and real life situations at my place of work.

"It also enforced my opinion that as an academic member of staff we need to be involved with sport, so I volunteer at my daughters gymnastic club and at other events - the most recent being the Sainsbury's 2014 School Sport Games as a team attaché."

Team building - North Wales 2014

Students from the Division recently enjoyed a team building trip to North Wales as part of UCLan's Frontier Education programme.

What's that Tech you're wearing?

Apple's triple product announcement - big screen iPhones, the Apple Watch and the Apple Pay payments system – caused a media frenzy around the world this week.

With wearable technology developing at a rapid rate, there are numerous new innovations available to consumers.

New Course Leader for Sports Business Management, Tony Keaveny, has produced a presentation, using content from Fjord, containing useful links to the latest must-have products.

What do you think about these latest developments? Lets us know on Twitter.

Course Leader joins Burnley Leisure Trust

Dr Sue Minten was recently appointed as a Community Director/Trustee for Burnley Leisure Trust.

The Trust went live in April 2014 and has taken over the management and operation of St Peter's Leisure Centre, Padiham Leisure Centre and the Mechanics Theatre from Burnley Council.

In addition to providing arts and cultural development services, the Trust will also run sports development & play services and healthy lifestyles programmes. Sue has been helping Trust managers with data analysis and research projects within the Trust.

Councillor John Harbour, the Council's executive member for leisure and culture, said: "The project to establish the partnership has gone extremely well and I'm confident Burnley Leisure will not only continue to provide excellent leisure services for Burnley residents, but will develop a wider range of services that will further improve the leisure and cultural offer in the borough."

Charles Green, the chair of Burnley Leisure, commented: "It has been clear from the start that the Council wanted to establish a successful Trust and we are keen to meet that aim and excel in inspiring active, creative and healthier communities and provide even more opportunities to enrich people's lives.

"The new Trust board includes members with a wide range of experiences and interests and I'm confident that along with staff within the Trust, we will ensure that the services going forward will continue to be of the highest quality and focus on the needs of residents and visitors to Burnley."

The Trust will work in close partnership with the Council to continue to provide a high quality and accessible service for the people of Burnley. It will bring added benefits to the town with new freedoms and flexibilities around how it operates the service it provides and the resources it can access.

Sue Minten graduation message