Salford student supports international football team at European Under-19 Championships
As the elite round groups of UEFA European Under-19 Championships come to a close, we spoke to BSc Sports Science student Dan Towers, who has been working alongside the Icelandic team during their impressive run in the competition.
Last weekend saw Iceland beat England 0-1 at the New York Stadium in Rotherham, and Dan had an instrumental role in the game. “I do opposition analysis against the other teams in our elite round group, England, Turkey and Hungary. I also live code and offer half time feedback to coaching staff. Playing against England in front of 4000 fans was an incredible experience. We face an agonising wait as only one team goes through... if we beat Hungary then we are through to the finals!”
As well as his work with Iceland’s under 19 football team, Dan supports England’s Amputee Football Team and Manchester United's Academy as an analyst alongside his studies at Salford. He says time management has been key to his success. “There are amazing opportunities on offer, but it can be hard to fit everything in around university. I've probably grown up during my time at Salford as I’ve learnt more about managing my time and priorities alongside work.”
Dan says he was drawn to Salford for his studies, “by the idea that you could focus on performance analysis in your final year of the degree after building up applied experience alongside Salford graduates who have moved on to great opportunities.”
While he enjoyed the diversity of course content around psychology, nutrition, physiology, strength and conditioning, he feels that the performance analysis pathway he has taken for his final year has offered him the chance to “become more focused on something I want a career in”.
So, what advice would Dan give to someone at the beginning of a sports science degree? “Learn, learn and learn! Just be a sponge and take everything you can in. Ask questions if you don't know and openly seek out applied opportunities as it's the best way to learn! My tutors have helped open doors that I might not have had access to had I not been at Salford, which has been amazing. You still have to put in the hard work to prove your worth in the industry though!”
Iceland play Hungary at 7.30pm this evening at St. George’s Park, Burton-on-Trent.
Image: Dan Towers (right) at the Iceland v England game. Credit @hulda_margret
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