As part of the celebrations, City and England star Laura Coombs sat down with Imogen, a recent degree graduate, to discuss her course and find out how she found studying in recent years.
Laura has completed a degree in HR and Business from the University of Hertfordshire, with Imogen completing the BSc (Hons) Manchester City Community Football Coaching course, in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).
When discussing her university journey, Laura said: “I am glad I did a degree now. I think I’ve given myself good options for the future, especially having played.
“I’ve not actually ever had a proper job outside of playing! If I didn’t have that [degree] I think I’d be a bit panicky about what to do after football.”
Commenting on how the degree has helped create a healthier future, Imogen said: “The degree has really helped me establish what I want to do in the future and where I want to take my career.
“It has helped guide me to realise I maybe want to be more own boss and create something where I’m combining one to one coaching with football and strength and conditioning.”
The programmes bring together CITC’s community football coaching knowledge with Manchester Metropolitan’s academic expertise, to offer the best of both worlds and an integrated path to rewarding career goals.
The degree combines classroom - and practical - based teaching at MMU’s newly launched Institute of Sport with work-based learning at the state-of-the-art Etihad Campus.
This mix is designed to help students develop a comprehensive skillset in coaching, sport development, performance analysis, strength and conditioning and more.
For more information, email jonathan.pauley@cityfootball.com.
Keep an eye out throughout July for more City in the Community Degree content.
City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football.
To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/CITC or follow the charity on social media @CITCmancity.
