Rikesh Patel

  • Course PhD Sports Science
  • Nationality British
  • Career industry Sports Science / Health and fitness / Education

The University has a range of fantastic staff and services to help you throughout your degree, so be sure to make use of the support when you need it.

Selection Biases Within an English Football Academy: Implications of the Elite Player Performance Plan

  • Enrolling on the course, meeting my supervisory team and other PhD students.
  • Starting my placement at the football academy.
  • Presenting my findings at the WLV Science in Football: Principle to Practice conference.
  • Seeing how my research was able to influence thinking and practice at the football academy.
  • Getting my two of my studies published.
  • Completing my viva
  • It has provided me with the opportunity to develop my knowledge and skills as a researcher and sports science practitioner.
  • It has enabled me to explore different career paths.
  • It has enhanced my reputation and career prospects.

Passing my viva and submitting the final version of my thesis.

  • Develop self-awareness for whatever area of study ignites a passion within you to know more - consider pursuing this as your career.
  • Seek and explore links with the University that will enable you to gain experience working within a sector that interests you. You will soon discover if it’s a viable career path or not, and you can start developing a network of professional contacts.
  • Adopt the mindset of being a lifelong student and take every opportunity to learn from your lecturers and peers.
  • The University has a range of fantastic staff and services to help you throughout your degree, so be sure to make use of the support when you need it.

 

  • Patel, R., Nevill, A., Cloak, R., Smith, T., & Wyon, M. (2019). Relative age, maturation, anthropometry and physical performance characteristics of players within an Elite Youth Football Academy. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 14(6), 714–725. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954119879348
  • Patel, R., Nevill, A., Smith, T., Cloak, R., & Wyon, M. (2020). The influence of birth quartile, maturation, anthropometry and physical performances on player retention: Observations from an elite football academy. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 15(2), 121–134. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954120906507