Development and Implementation of a “Talent, Health and Wellbeing Monitoring System” for Exeter City Football Club Youth Academy Talent Programme Ref: 5149

The objective of this project is to evaluate the talent development programme (i.e., player performance, health, and well-being) for Exeter City Football Club Youth Academy Talent Programme. This PhD programme will investigate the relative role of different physical, physiological and biomechanical attributes in the successful development of football players through the youth academy system and transition to senior professional football (Kelly, Williams, Jackson et al., 2023). Previous evidence that characteristics such as strength, power and speed influence the likelihood of youth football players successfully progressing through youth academies, has led to physical testing being adopted in youth football, particularly in the academies of professional clubs (Bidaurrazaga-Letona, Lekue, Amado, & Gil, 2019; Kelly & Williams, 2020). An additional factor identified as influential on player success is robustness to injury, where missed training is detrimental to development (Larruskain et al., 2022). Whilst player metrics quantified to assess characteristics such as lower limb strength and power, speed and lower limb biomechanics have a role in predicting both performance success and risk of injury, the relative importance of these metrics, interactions and changes with growth and maturation are not well understood (Williams, Oliver & Lloyd, 2014.). This project will assess the relative importance of different attributes by comprehensively evaluating players as they progress through Exeter City Academy (U12-U18).

The first phase of this project will involve the evaluation of currently used test protocols, such as countermovement jumps and single-leg hop, performing retrospective analyses of data from previous seasons to investigate associations with injury risk and player success. Results will inform subsequent data collection protocols and the development of hypotheses for a prospective study, utilising both existing and new novel test methods, to investigate factors influential on youth player success.

As this studentship is being supported by Exeter City Football Club (ECFC) Youth Academy, travel to the Academy site will be required. ECFC Head of Academy Sport Science & Medicine Craig Atkins will act as the Academy coordinator. 

This award provides annual funding to cover Home tuition fees and a tax-free stipend. For students who pay Home tuition fees the award will cover the tuition fees in full, plus at least £19,237 per year tax-free stipend. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee and no stipend.

In addition to Home tuition fees and a tax-free stipend being covered, the successful candidate will also be able to access a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £6,000. This RTSG can be used, for example, to support project delivery, to attend training and development events, and to help disseminate research findings. Further training and development opportunities will be made available via internal mechanisms (e.g., Doctoral College activities). The cost of standard IT equipment (e.g., laptop) will also be covered by the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

International applicants need to be aware that you will have to cover the cost of your student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the required level as per our guidance at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/apply/english/

The successful applicant will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check before registering for the PhD.

For further details and how to apply: Award details nearmejobs.eu Funding and scholarships for students nearmejobs.eu University of Exeter

The closing date for applications is midnight on 26th June 2024.

Interviews will be held at St Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter (with option to visit Exeter City Training Ground) on July 11th 2024.

If you have any general enquiries about the application process, please email PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk or phone +44 (0) 1392 722730. Project-specific queries should be directed to one of the supervisors – Dr Sharon Dixon s.j.dixon@exeter.ac.uk ; or Professor Craig Williams (c.a.williams@exeter.ac.uk).