Pirates placement boosting Cornish careers in sport

Two of Cornwall’s top sports clubs are teaming up with the region’s largest college to offer training to the next generation of sport analysts.   

Championship rugby club, Cornish Pirates and Truro City FC have taken a Cornwall College sport student under their wing to offer a placement in analysing the players’ performance.   

 This first placement has signalled the start of what looks set to be a valuable opportunity for any student looking to experience what it’s like to work with the Duchy’s top athletes.   

 Joel Pittard, who is studying a level 3 diploma in sports coaching started his work experience with the Pirates earlier in July.  

 He commented: “It is a really fantastic opportunity to be able to work with such high-level clubs and players in Cornwall.   

 “Whilst on my placement, I have been developing my performance analytical skills. My main roles include filming training and matches and working in collaboration with other performance staff in centralising all data to create daily reports.  

 “I’ve also produced post-match analysis in the form of video and statistical reports.”  

Joel will work for the club during their pre-season training and throughout the season of upcoming matches.  

Chris Lane, sports performance analyst for the Cornish Pirates added: “We are really excited to connect up with Cornwall College and support learners with applied high-performance placements within Cornish Pirates and Truro City FC.  

“Students will be fully supported by the organisations and a highly experienced Proview Sports performance staff group.  

 “Supporting regional sports organisations is fundamental to how we want to work in Cornwall, and we will continue to build on our link with Cornwall College across multiple disciplines and events.  

“Creating value for all stakeholders including ourselves, learners, education providers and sport in Cornwall will drive how we expose performance analytics to support player development.  

“We are now looking forward to the 21/22 season and next academic year creating opportunities for new placements and involving more learners.”  

Joel is the first Cornwall College student to benefit from the Cornish Pirates placement, which looks to be just the start of a valuable partnership between the two organisations.  

He hopes to use his experience to become a sports coach and analyst with professional clubs after his studies.  

Cornwall College’s Louise Fletcher, who is the curriculum area manager for sport, military and protective services, added: “To help the sport, health and fitness sector continue to improve and evolve, we at Cornwall College are proud to build healthy working relationships and share expertise with professional sports clubs and stakeholders.   

“Cornwall College Camborne is excited to be setting up industry links with the Cornish Pirates and Proview Sports – one of the industry’s top performance analytics providers.   

“The industry placements present an ideal opportunity to prepare our students for careers within the sports industry.  

“Occupational experience is vital for them to develop into informed and competent employees and maximise the opportunities for them to progress into lasting and successful careers – as the career college, providing these opportunities to our students is what we do best.”  

The placement comes after a successful end to the academic year for The Cornwall College Group, which has seen a record rise in applications for courses starting this September.