SPECS students who have representative honours

Isobel Christiansen

I represent England at women’s football at under 15, 17, 19, 20 and current under 23 level.

Leavi Oshungbure 

I have played for Leicestershire and Rutland for the last couple of years and last year had the chance to captain the team. I was also involved with the English Schools football team last year. 

The reason why I chose the SPECS course is because I believe it is an ideal stepping stone to becoming a PE teacher.
 

Matthew Pacey

I currently play hockey for Wales. 

I have always enjoyed both playing and studying sport. The course has advanced my subject knowledge and further developed my coaching capabilities.

Christopher Perrin 

For the last 2 years I competed at the English Schools track and field finals in the 1500m. This season I am currently 2nd place overall in the U20 UKA cross country challenge series. During the summer of 2011 I won the Staffordshire Senior Men tennis doubles championship.

William Byas 

I currently play hockey for England Under 21s. 

I chose to do SPCES at the University of Birmingham due to it being the most attractive course and the one that suited most out of all the others I considered. The most advantageous thing about it is that it isn’t just an ordinary course and it provides me with so many great opportunities. It is a great course and I would recommend it to anyone.

James Lauder

I represented England at under 15, 17 and 19 in in Badminton and still play in European and National tournaments in Mens and Mixed doubles. I am currently ranked in the top ten in England Doubles and I am a UBS Scholar. 

SPECS has helped me develop a great understanding of coaching/teaching and learning. The course is a great balance of sports science and pedagogy and really helps me with my sport and extra activities.
 

Peter Fozard

I have represented Surrey and the London/South-East region throughout the Junior age groups in Squash ... U15, U17 and U19, with my highest ranking being within the top 20. 

I chose to study SPCES because I always wanted to study an area of sport and this particular course’s structure suited my needs perfectly. It has a good mix of practicals and theory lectures as well as covering sport topics that interest me – namely sport development and marketing.

Carl Butcher 

I represent England Development Men in Volleyball. 

I chose the SPECS course as I have always seen myself as a PE Teacher or sports coach and the course has been specifically designed to meet all of those needs, so Birmingham was an obvious choice, both to excel in a degree at a top quality university and to accommodate my sporting ambitions within volleyball.