Supporting National Careers Week

March 2023

On the 8th March 2023, Findel hosted a sports-related workplace safari for 25 students from Ashton Sixth Form College to talk to them about the variety of potential careers available once completing a sports related qualification.

The students heard from Lucy Moran and Gareth Vipond about how they use their sports knowledge in our buying team across Davies Sports. This was followed by a session covering sports brand marketing delivered by Christine Wheatcroft  and Gareth Pashley.

David Horrocks also talked all things sports performance, sports science and psychology to the group, which opened their eyes to the amazing opportunities out there for the next budding footballers, tennis super stars and high performing coaches.Gareth Pashley told us:

“It was a real pleasure to be part of the Sports Work Safari with Findel. I’ve been working in the Sports industry for over 15 years and it is great to see enthusiasm and eagerness from the next generation to learn about the vast amount of opportunities there are in the industry. “

David Horrocks said of the experience: “This is a part of Findel that I am very proud to be associated with as steering the next generation towards the right educational and voluntary opportunities to facilitate employment and workplace success is core to what we are about. It’s a honour for me to share my years of diverse experience and if that inspires or helps someone else on their journey then I’m all for this type of engagement with the educational sector and the establishments we at Findel supply.

The workplace safari was also well received by the students at Ashton Sixth Form with the feedback forms showing that 100% of the students found the session useful.

Rachel Smirke, who is the Director of Curriculum and Progression at Ashton Sixth Form, said:

“Findel provided us with an amazing opportunity for our students studying our BTEC qualification in sport, partnered with Sensible Soccer, whose chairman is Mike Phelan, ex-Manchester United coach along with Head of Research and Development, Dave Horrocks. They offered to deliver as part of a workplace safari at Findel a session on sports growth and growth mindset.  Students gained valuable insight into the careers available to them on completion of their course, alongside a tour of Findel with career insight. The students returned to college after the morning at Findel refreshed and ‘buzzing’ with a renewed motivation to learn. Being exposed to the exciting careers available within the sport industry gave students the momentum to focus on their course at college and really achieve. This sort of session is what students need so they can see the opportunities ahead. It is inspirational and adds so much value to a student’s educational journey, helping them progress to the finish line.”

If you’re a local school, college or university and looking to learn more about how we can help you, then we’d love to hear from you so please get in touch via our contact page.