George Bollands
Development Officer for Clubs and Safeguarding at Boccia England
The sports industry is a very competitive industry to get a job in and gaining a sports degree from Loughborough, a university with such a prestigious sporting reputation, makes you stand out amongst other candidates applying for jobs.
My Sport Management degree has given me the knowledge and real life experiences of the sports sector which I have been able to use in my professional career.
In my final year I was able to choose to write my dissertation on disability sport policy and be supervised by an expert in the field which in turn has led me to working in the disability sport sector.
Studying Sport Management has broadened my career prospects as it has meant I have the option of working either in the sport sector as I am doing now or doing a more generic management role in the business sector.
Post 16 Education: A Level Leisure Studies, Religious Studies and English Language
Higher Education: BSc Sport Management
What is Sport Management?
My Sport Management degree was a combination of learning about sport and business. The majority of the modules in my first two years were about aspects of sport and the fundamentals of business then my third year modules were about applying these fundamentals of business in the sports industry. My degree covered a range of topics including marketing, economics, accounting, coaching, Olympic studies and sport policy.
Why did you choose Sport Management?
Having enjoyed studying A Level Leisure Studies at 6th Form, it was my ambition to pursue a career in the sports sector which is why I decided to study for a degree in Sport Management.
Having been very physically active from a young age, I am passionate about the subject which I think is vital when choosing a degree that you are going to spend 3, 4 or even 5 years of your life studying.
George's advice
If you are thinking about applying to Loughborough don't be deterred by the University’s elite sporting heritage - the outstanding student experience means there is something for everyone regardless of their background.
When I was in year 12, I was slightly reluctant to put Loughborough down as my first choice as I have cerebral palsy and was worried I might not fit in however as soon as I arrived, I felt accepted and welcomed into the Loughborough Family right from my very first day.
George’s experience as a student
The time spent studying at Loughborough University were the best three years of my life!
The excellent teaching combined with the activities coordinated by the Student Union led to the best student experience I could have had.
I enjoyed going to lectures and seminars; learning about a subject which I was passionate about and making the most of the non-academic opportunities that the Loughborough experience offered, including the world class sports facilities and student volunteering roles.
George’s Career
I am currently working as a Development Officer for Clubs and Safeguarding at Boccia England, which is the national governing body for the sport of Boccia in England.
Prior to this, I worked at Activity Alliance (formerly English Federation of Disability Sport), a national charity which aims to get more disabled people more active for life, on their inclusive activity programmes for four years.
Before this, I gained professional experience in voluntary roles at Volleyball England and British Blind Sport.
Loughborough University offers undergraduate degrees in:
Sport Science, Coaching and Physical Education / Sport and Exercise Science / Sport Management / Sport and Exercise Psychology / Psychology / Sport Technology
Please note: Degrees and their titles change over time. Some graduates may have studied degrees that have evolved and changed in response to changes in demand from employers.