Chris Wallace

There were several practical considerations involved in the decision, including distance from home. Still, one of the main drivers was from recommendations from previous students of how welcoming of mature students Wrexham Uni is. This, along with having a chance to discuss my options within the university with lecturers within the department and the support and knowledge they have across a wide range of specialisms, especially as I was unsure of what area of focus I wanted.

Yes, I would 100% recommend studying at Wrexham Uni, especially within the Sports Sciences department, as due to the smaller size of the department, the opportunity to be involved with extra events, internships, and experiences is excellent, plus the chance to speak to lecturers and other staff if much easier. Above all, you feel that the staff know who you are, what you are about and genuinely care about how you are developing!

For me, already having an experience of the working world and returning to education was a big step. Although already experienced, I feel that the last three years have given me a chance to develop skills that have started to help on my return to work. I firmly believe that my prioritising skills have improved, along with my ability to work to deadlines. I have also found that my teamwork and leadership skills have also developed. 

I am currently working as a self-employed endurance coach and a coaching/teaching tutor for several governing bodies and training providers. With the work being so varied, I have to split my time between many priorities, from completing practical and theoretical coaching and teaching assessments to conducting athlete consultations, prescribing training and analysis of training and racing data to develop their fitness and skills.

Working with several athletes to help develop their fitness to qualify for age group championships in triathlon. Working within an excellent coach education team for Welsh Triathlon and was involved with changing how the coach certification courses have been delivered due to the COVID-19 restrictions at the time. 

Being able to return to education in my forties was a worrying and pretty scary time. Still, the great support received within the university really made me feel I was making the correct decision and has really helped me develop my confidence within my area of study and the academic skills required to do well.