Physical Education and Sport Coaching graduation award winners

Yasmin Heath – BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching: Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Course

"These past three years have been some of the most rewarding yet challenging years of my life. The sports coaching course has developed me immensely as a person and as a coach and I couldn't be more grateful for the friendships I have made along the way. To be awarded the course prize for contribution is of big honour to myself and I couldn't be prouder. This is only the beginning for me, and I can't wait for what is next."

Robert Cheetham – BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching: Deans Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement

"I'm extremely honoured to have been awarded the Dean's Prize. As a full-time student, alongside working and developing as a coach, I'm also a father to two young children so to have received such a prestigious award gives me great pride for the effort and dedication I put into my studies, whilst combining other roles.
Leeds Beckett has allowed me to create invaluable relationships with staff and external professionals that has accelerated my career in football, beyond what I thought was possible when I started university. Whilst my journey in football is extremely early, I believe the knowledge I have acquired throughout my time has put me in an excellent position to work towards my future goals in football.

I would like to thank the time and effort that staff have committed towards developing me, as well as my fellow students who were welcoming to me at the start, even through anxieties of studying again after 15 years away from education. I would also like to thank my wife and children who have supported me wholeheartedly through this experience, and continue to champion me every day, plus my father for his unwavering support throughout. Overall, I am proud to have graduated with a First Class honours and to have received such a prize. Whilst I will always remain humble in my actions, it feels very special to be appreciated in such a way."

Martin MacTaggart – MSc Sport Coaching: Deans Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement

"I'm really pleased I decided to undertake the Masters in Sports Coaching at Leeds Beckett, in particular the quality of the lecturers provided so many opportunities to check and challenge my current behaviours, skills, and knowledge of coaching practice. An area I would recommend and enjoyed was greater depth and understanding the theory behind practice, and being able to apply it to the who, what and how I was coaching. The tools and models presented will enable me to further explore my delivery. I was really surprised to hear I had won an award, as a mature student without previous university experience the decision to enrol was quite daunting, so to achieve this is an amazing addition to achieving my Masters."

Neil Bailey – MSc Coach Development: Deans Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement

"The course has been brilliant for learning and a challenging but thoroughly enjoyable experience. The key thing for me was being able to apply the on-course learning into my day-to-day job and to develop the interactions with coaches I supported. It was great to share the course with colleagues from our football world, in a different environment, and then to share modules with coaches from Olympic and Paralympic sports, it took it to new levels and was such a humbling and rewarding experience. I can only thank the fellow students on the course for their generosity in sharing their own experiences and adding to the learning. And thanks to all the staff throughout the course for their dedication, understanding, guidance, and challenging discussions, ensuring that we made it through to this point. To have been awarded a Dean’s Prize is certainly a surprise and is received with humble gratitude."

Steven Greaves – MSc Coach Development: Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Course

"I'm both humbled and honoured to have been awarded the School prize for this cohorts MSc in Coach Development. Both the level of challenge and support I was privileged to receive from Bob Muir, Andrew Gillott, (Dave Pigott, Andy Abraham previously throughout the PGDip) and fellow students, I will be eternally grateful for. I very much look forward to keeping in touch with everyone associated with Leeds Beckett and particularly those connected with the course."

Benjamin Baker – BA (Hons) Physical Education: Deans Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement

The PE course team would like to congratulate Ben on finishing his degree with the highest grade average across the PE course. Ben’s achievement has been underpinned by excellent engagement and a real enthusiasm to get involved in teaching sessions. Well done Ben! 

Ellie Garbutt – BA (Hons) Physical Education: Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Course

Despite facing some stiff competition from a great year group, Ellie wins the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Course, as voted for by the PE staff team. Staff commented on Ellie’s positive attitude, her approach to supporting her peers and her leadership of the PE ball committee. A fantastic achievement Ellie, well done! 

Alice Matthews – BA (Hons) Physical Education with Outdoor Education: G Slee Award for Outdoor Education

Alice Matthews was awarded the G Slee Award after achieving the highest overall classification in a very strong year group. Alice worked incredibly hard over the course of her degree, making the most of opportunities to learn on the course and beyond it. Alice has become a real advocate for the outdoors and the course team wish her every success in the future. On receiving news of the award, Alice proclaimed "I’m, so proud of myself", and so you should be Alice! Congratulations from the PEO course team! 

Francesca Harrison-Billbrough – BA (Hons) Physical Education with Outdoor Education: Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Course

Frankie was unanimously voted for by the PEO staff team to win the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Course. Frankie has worked incredibly hard, stayed positive in the face of adversity and built wonderful working relationships with staff and students alike. We are quite sure Frankie will make a hugely positive contribution to the people she already works with in the outdoors. From all the PEO staff team, huge congratulations Frankie!