From Derby to the USA, degree student Alex is achieving one of his dreams thanks to our opportunities, and he was keen to share his experiences at Derby County Community Trust.

Alex is now 21 and awaiting his final results, but he wasn’t initially sure what direction he wanted to take after college three year’s ago. However, he always knew the degree was a great option to take on. ‘’It's been something that has kept me busy and I have been able to get something out of it personally and professionally. I knew it would be very rewarding and it has been’’.

 Alex went on to say ‘’ Younger me didn’t really have a clue what he wanted to do, so I would have been surprised to be where I am now. I would have never known I would have it in me to do what I have done. ‘’

It's been a bit of a journey for Alex, who found his inspiration during his time on the course and the new people he met and networked with along the way. ‘’It’s not your conventional course, it’s a unique one. I go to Cardiff a few times a year, so you do get to meet new people. Through this course alone, you engage with more people and network for opportunities than anywhere else I know. On a personal level it’s been great… new people, new challenges and I realised that’s what I loved.

With encouragement from classmates and DCCT staff, Alex took a step out of his comfort zone and took the opportunity to build on his coaching experience in America. After completing his studies in Derby, he will fly out to the States where he will work closely with mentors and fellow coaches.

UK International Soccer have an association with University of Wales and work closely with us.  Over the Summer, Alex will be at football camps for young people. I am used to it. ’’You stay with host families and travel around. You learn about people’s cultures and have a real authentic experience out there. After the week, you then travel to your next location and stay with another family. September onwards, the camps stop, and you’re put in a more real football setting. It’s serious planned sessions, with objectives and outcomes. It’s going to be chaos, but I am looking froward to it.

Alex is proud of the journey he’s had with us and has always been grateful for the support from the Trust; ‘’The most affective for me were the people at the Trust. They have been very helpful and go above and beyond. DCCT have provided opportunities and I have seen how much it has impacted everyone on the course. Some have secured work after studying, I’m off to … so it leads to great things.’’

Whilst it naturally had its challenges, he would recommend our degrees to anyone who may be in a similar situation to what Alex was in three years ago; ‘You’re involved in an organisation that has a huge reputation in Derby. It has strong links with the club which can also lead to some good opportunities at times. You instantly create a broad network… not just here, but also in Wales, now in the U.S. It’s an opportunity… not just a degree’’.  

On our degree courses, you’ll gain a vast array of experiences within Derby County Football Club’s community setting alongside gaining your FA Level 2 Coaching qualification in a work-based placement.

Lectures will be delivered within a sport setting and cover topics including sports science, physical education and school sport, strategic sports development, and football in society.

On our degree courses, you’ll gain a vast array of experiences within Derby County Football Club’s community setting alongside gaining your FA Level 2 Coaching qualification in a work-based placement.

Lectures will be delivered within a sport setting and cover topics including sports science, physical education and school sport, strategic sports development, and football in society.

Head to our page dedicated to our degree programmes:
Degrees at DCCT

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