A Scoring Partnership Leads to Student Success

A Lincoln graduate has become Lead Academy Sport Scientist for Lincoln City Football Club, after being awarded a first-of-its-kind honour, highlighting the successful partnership between ‘The Imps’ and the University of Lincoln, UK.

Daniel Horton, from Lincoln, graduated in September 2021 from the University’s BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning in Sport programme, and is the first student to receive the Accredited Strength and Conditioning Practitioner award. Daniel has since secured a top role with the city’s football club.

The University is the first higher education institution to gain the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA) Degree Accreditation.

To gain the award, Daniel was required to graduate with a 2:1 or above degree classification, do 500 hours of practice experience, a considerable amount of which was completed at Lincoln City FC Academy, as well as submit a strength and conditioning portfolio and practice.

 Daniel said: “The full-time placement at Lincoln City FC gave me lots of valuable experience of working in the sport industry.

 “Gaining the practical hours with the club helped me to achieve the IUSCA accreditation and was also invaluable to me achieving my undergraduate degree.

 “The partnership between Lincoln City FC and the University has opened up some fantastic career opportunities and I’m really pleased to be employed full-time as the Lead Academy Sport Scientist at the club, alongside studying for my Master’s degree in MSc Sport Science here at the University.”

 Dr Thomas Gee, Senior Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning at the University of Lincoln, said: “During Daniel’s degree, he has provided consistent strength and conditioning support to Lincoln City FC Academy.

“The School of Sport and Exercise Science has an excellent partnership with Lincoln City FC. Students regularly provide support to both academy and senior squads through the IMPRESS programme. In addition, a number of former students have now acquired full time sport science roles with the club.

“In October 2020 the BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning in Sport became the first degree level programme to receive accreditation from IUSCA. This accreditation provides course students with a professional qualification to work towards during their degree.”

In recent years the University and Lincoln City FC have enjoyed a successful enterprising relationship. Students have been able to gain industry experience by providing expertise to the club in areas including performance analysis, sports therapy and massage, and now in strength and conditioning support. Students are also able to learn from the club’s staff through their guest lectures at the University.

University of Lincoln alumni have experienced great success in starting careers within the football club and wider sports sector, from marketing roles to project management. The University features as the Imps main partner on the playing shirt for the newly released hit video game, EA Sports FIFA 22.