BUCS champion Emerging Club Leaders in expanded student programme

British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), the national body for competitive sport in higher education, has recently upgraded an exciting pathway into the world of football for undergraduate students via its Emerging Club Leaders programme.

After a successful pilot year, which saw 31 students gain experience and opportunities in voluntary off-pitch roles, BUCS has expanded the programme from 6 to 13 institutions across the UK – including the University of Warwick.

BUCS reported resounding successes from the first iteration of the programme

A three-year funding extension with the Football Association will facilitate significant resources for participating students, who can expect aid with travel costs, hands-on mentoring, and exclusive experiences at Wembley Stadium and Old Trafford Cricket Ground as part of the programme.

The available roles, on offer at selected clubs competing in steps 2-6 of men’s non-league and across the six divisions of the Women’s National League, include positions in media, sponsorship, community engagement, and facilities development. Participating clubs in Warwick’s local area include exciting West Midlands outfit Rugby Borough Women, Birmingham-based side Sporting Khalsa Women, and eighth-tier men’s club Darlaston Town.

BUCS reported resounding successes from the first iteration of the programme among both students and participating clubs. 81% of previous students felt that they contributed fresh perspectives to the clubs they worked for, with some being asked to continue working in their roles for another year. Third tier women’s side Liverpool Feds described the experience as “inspiring”, with students encouraging meaningful change and leading two new matchday initiatives.

Laura Smith, who joined the project as a club liaison consultant last year, spoke highly of the programme and its student cohort: “They are our potential club leaders of the future, and this programme provides them with a great first taste of what volunteering in football really means.”

The effect is vice-versa for participating students: the programme offers an accessible pathway into local sport which can often be hard to obtain

The Emerging Club Leaders programme highlights the importance of young volunteers to lower-league football sides. As people-driven community assets, clubs further down the pyramid draw life from volunteering, and will benefit significantly from the injection of fresh ideas and external support.

The effect is vice-versa for participating students: the programme offers an accessible pathway into local sport which can often be hard to obtain, as well as advanced networking opportunities and valuable experience.

It provides students with an entryway into the sports sector, a demanding and highly competitive industry which makes up 3.5% of the UK workforce.

Despite all the positives, there is still plenty of room for the scheme to improve its relatively modest selection, potentially through including more universities and clubs than the current.

With applications for many of the available positions having closed in mid-October, interested readers early into their time at university should look out for the programme’s future placement opportunities in years to come. For any successful Warwick applicants this year, best of luck – you will be making a real difference for a local community by volunteering your time.