Graduate secures Premier League position

As an Academy Performance Analyst intern at Crystal Palace Football Club, Henry is working with the Under 14s team and supports the Head of Academy with analysing the Under 21s. The young professional credits his time at Solent, which helped lead to this prominent early-career position.

"Through contacts, experience and knowledge developed from my course I managed to get in contact with people in the academy," Henry says. "I was then asked to come in three times a week for a season to develop my knowledge further, and this then led to me joining them as an intern."

Few universities offer degrees in football, with Solent - which is nearby to the iconic St Mary's Stadium in Southampton - proudly leading the way in this area. 79% of graduates enter high-skilled employment or further study within 15 months of graduating*, showcasing the success of this course. Henry says:

"Solent was key for me to develop my skills and knowledge around performance and analysis. It was good being very hands on and learning about all the software I needed to be able to use in order to join Crystal Palace. I was also able to meet some amazing people wanting to do similar things to me, using contacts to then branch out."

Southampton Solent University prides itself on connecting students to industry, and Henry had many opportunities to hear directly from professionals in sport and, specifically, football. During his course, Henry had the opportunity to hear from Southampton Football Club's new manager, Will Still, and gained insights from guest speakers with a range of experiences in sport.

Course Leader Football, Kevin Braybrook, says: "The football studies course at Southampton Solent University has built a strong reputation for its practice-led approach and focus on real-world outcomes. We're thrilled that Henry has secured a full-time role with Crystal Palace Football Club. His journey is made even more special by his lifelong passion for the club, making this achievement especially rewarding."

 

*Data captured by HESA 2023.