Brighton students score new football partnership with AFC Uckfield Town

Students studying Strength and Conditioning, Sport Coaching, Sport and Exercise Science, and Sports Journalism at the University of Brighton will each take on specialist roles that reflect the realities of working in the modern football industry. Working with experienced practitioners throughout the season, students will apply the knowledge and skills developed through their degrees in a live sporting environment while making a meaningful contribution to the club.

Sport and Exercise students will work under the guidance of AFC Uckfield Town's Head of Analytics, Shaun Lee, filming matches using specialist analysis cameras, producing detailed performance reports and collecting tactical data on both Uckfield and opposition teams. Their analysis will help inform coaching decisions across the Men's First Team, Men's Second Team, Under-18s and Women's First Team.

Strength and Conditioning students will work alongside Head of Physiotherapy and Strength and Conditioning Lydia Fellows, supporting player preparation, recovery and physical performance. A postgraduate student will lead elements of the club's strength and conditioning programme, supported by undergraduate students working as part of the wider performance team.

Students studying Sport Coaching will support coaching teams across each of the club's squads, helping to deliver training sessions and player development throughout the season.

Meanwhile, Sports Journalism students will gain first-hand experience covering a working football club, producing match reports, interviewing players and coaching staff, writing news stories, creating content for the matchday programme, and capturing photography, video and social media content as part of the club's growing digital presence.

Dr Anastasiya Khomutova, Course Leader for Sport Coaching at the University of Brighton, said: "There's no substitute for learning in a real performance environment. This partnership allows our students to put theory into practice while working alongside experienced practitioners who are committed to helping them develop.

"By becoming part of a multidisciplinary team, students will experience the realities of supporting athletes across an entire season. They'll develop not only technical expertise, but also the communication, adaptability and decision-making skills that employers across the sport industry value so highly."

Shaun Lee, Head of Analytics at AFC Uckfield Town, said: "We're incredibly excited to welcome the students into the club. Performance analysis has become an integral part of the modern game and this partnership gives students the opportunity to experience the demands of a real football environment while making a genuine contribution across multiple teams. It's a fantastic opportunity for them to develop their skills, and for us to continue raising standards throughout the club."

Malcolm Jones, Club Chairman added: Club Chairman added: "This partnership is another significant step forward for AFC Uckfield Town. We're committed to developing every area of the football club, both on and off the pitch, and working with the University of Brighton allows us to bring enthusiastic, talented students into our environment whilst helping them gain meaningful industry experience. We're looking forward to building a long and successful relationship together."

The partnership reflects the University of Brighton's commitment to providing students with authentic, real-world learning experiences. By working within a live football environment throughout the season, students will develop practical skills, build professional networks and gain the confidence needed for careers across the sport industry, while strengthening the University's partnerships with organisations across Sussex.

For students, the partnership offers a unique opportunity to step beyond the classroom and experience the realities of working within a football club, developing the skills, confidence and professional networks that will support careers across the sport industry.

Looking ahead, the University and AFC Uckfield Town hope to build a long-term partnership that benefits future cohorts of students while supporting the continued growth of grassroots football across Sussex.

Contact our Placements Team

University of Brighton students interested in this placement or other placement opportunities can contact the Placements Team at sportplacements@brighton.ac.uk for more information.