Alumni Success Stories
We're proud that our students go on to have incredible careers within their chosen industries across the land-based, sport, science and engineering sectors.
Rylan Casey
Programme: FdSc Football Coaching & Performance
Current position: International football player for both England and Great Britain, Sports co-ordinator at Deaf Active.
‘’Whilst studying I was supported in my lessons by a scribe and a signer, from Myerscough’s amazing Inclusive Learning team.’’
During my time on the foundation degree I was selected to represent Great Britain in men’s football at the Deaflympics, captaining the side and going on to pick up a bronze medal. I was also selected to captain England men’s deaf Futsal side as well as the men’s 11-a-side team on numerous occasions.
I play in the deaf champion’s league and have won numerous national titles in both deaf football and futsal. Upon completing my degree I moved into my current role as sports co-ordinator for Deaf Active providing football coaching sessions to deaf children and promoting the sport he loves within the deaf community.
Whilst studying I was supported in my lessons by a scribe and a signer, from Myerscough’s amazing Inclusive Learning team.
Will Still
Programme: FdSc Football Coaching
Current position: Former Head Coach, Southampton FC
’'I had an amazing experience at Myerscough, the staff are some of the best I’ve come across and gave me the ideal opportunity to develop as a person and a coach.’'
I am currently the youngest Head Coach in any of Europe’s top football leagues.
I’m currently in charge at Stade de Reims, in the French Ligue 1, and at just 30-years-old, I’ve already built up a highly impressive CV in the professional game.
I had an amazing experience at Myerscough and it’s the best place to learn.
I couldn’t thank them enough. The staff are some of the best I’ve come across in my career.
Myerscough gave me the ideal opportunity to develop as a person and a coach. To be a top flight manager at the age of 30 is completely crazy.
If you want to move into the professional game, Myerscough really offers you that possibility.
I really loved my time at Myerscough College and learned a huge amount about football, coaching, different cultures, but also and probably most importantly about myself. I grew up, I became a young adult. Coming from a different country and living on my own at college, I had to sort myself out and face the fact that I no longer had my parents to fall back on. Everyone makes you feel very welcome and there is always someone who is ready to listen to you and help.
Clare O’Donnell
Programme: BSc (Hons) & MSc Equine Science
Current position: Owner, Foxfields Therapeutic Horse Riding Centre.
‘’My degree enabled me to follow my passion and open a service helps to improve social, significant and physical skills young people with disabilities and special educational needs.’’
I am delighted to say I excelled academically and practically. My achievements included my undergraduate dissertation project being presented at the British Society of Animal Science Annual Conference in Dublin.
Whilst studying I began working at a riding school which offered sessions for autistic children. This developed a real passion for me, so much so I investigated this in my MSc Thesis.
Since graduating, I have established Foxfields Therapeutic Horse Riding Centre in Bolton, which offered Equine-Assisted Therapy sessions for individuals with disabilities and special educational needs. This service helps to improve social, significant and physical skills, as well as being enjoyable for these young people.
I’m also an industry mentor for the current students, offering visits and guest talks, and have offered employment opportunities to students with a passion for making a difference.
Jessica Smit
Programme: BSc Animal Welfare and Behaviour
Current Position: CEO White Shark Projects
’Without the teaching of some amazing lecturers at Myerscough and experiences during my course, I never would have had the knowledge or confidence to be where I am today.’’
I loved the idea of having more knowledge of welfare and behaviour of all our animals across the world and I really felt like I could make a difference somehow, but I was not sure where I would fit into this type of industry and where my qualification would eventually get me.
When it was mentioned they were running educational trips to South Africa I jumped at the chance to travel and this in turn changed my future forever.
I had a once in a lifetime experience and fell in love with South Africa and after I returned, I decided to go back on my own the following summer to volunteer at White Shark Projects in Gansbaai South Africa.
I got the taste for volunteering after I had visited Shamwari Conservation and thought I’d try something that was ocean and marine based that would give me the chance to observe southern Africa’s sharks up close and personal.
Without the teaching of some amazing lecturers at Myerscough and the previous trip to South Africa I did with them I never would have had the knowledge or confidence to have done anything like this before.
In November 2020 I bought White Shark Projects and I am now the CEO of my very own company here in South Africa. If it wasn’t for obtaining my degree at Myerscough I wouldn’t be where I am today and I am forever grateful.
Finn O’Leary
Programme: FdSc Football Coaching & Performance
Current position: Academy Recruitment Operations Manager at Blackburn Rovers FC.
‘’Due to the coaching and performance elements of the degree programme and the knowledge I had gained from my studies, I was ‘head hunted’ by a Championship Football Club.’’
I completed his FdSc in football coaching and performance at UCM before going on to complete a top-up year at UCLan. I developed a keen interest in the performance analysis side of football, expressing a particular love of the same-titled module on the course.
I managed to volunteer with Preston North End (PNE) to work with the younger age groups of their academy. I then secured a full-time position as lead performance analyst for the academy programs at PNE.
Due to the coaching and performance elements of the degree programme and the knowledge I had gained from my studies, I was also deemed suitable by the club to take the lead in coaching at the pre-academy.
My work ethic and expertise saw me ‘head hunted’ by Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers FC to head up and manage the recruitment operations for their academy, which remains my current role today.
Thalia Martin
Programme: BSc (Hons) Golf Coaching and Performance
Current Position: Professional Golfer, Ladies European Tour
‘’Studying my degree provided the knowledge and applicated required to take my golf game to the next level.’’
During my time at Myerscough, I competed in the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) events, securing multiple wins, and qualified for the British Women’s Amateur Championship. After graduation I turned professional with my debut being at the Ladies European Tour Access Series Golf Flanders Open, finishing Tied 5th.
After a successful 2021, I secured my card an played a full schedule of events on the main Ladies European Tour in 2022, finishing inside the top 20 on two occasions.
Studying a BSc (Hons) Golf Coaching and Performance provided the knowledge and applicated required to take my golf game to the next level. It opened my eyes to the science behind the golf, and how this can give the competitive modern players require.
Brandon Ballard
Programme: FdSc Animal Welfare (Animal Collections)
Current Position: Senior Keeper, London Zoo
‘’Having tutors that have real industry experience and great knowledge and links helped me gain vital experience.’’
My current job role is senior keeper on the small mammal department at ZSL London Zoo. I work with a variety of specialist unique mammals, including the care of these species ensuring their welfare by providing the best environment possible, the correct nutrition, conducting training programmes that benefit the animal and monitoring behaviour to name a few.
Myerscough helped me build my career path with a great balance of lessons and subjects that allowed for a variety of learning styles. Having tutors that have real industry experience, have great knowledge and links helped me gain vital experience within the zoological and animal behaviour industry which has led me onto my career at a leading conservation organisation.
Kevin Martin
Programme: BSc Arboriculture
Current Position: Head of Tree Collections, Kew Gardens
‘’My time studying at Myerscough has given me the confidence to move from on the tools-based job into a position of senior management.’’
My role at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew as Head of Tree Collections means that I am charged with the curation and management of the tree collection within a UNESCO World Heritage Site landscape. I manage a team of six arborists including one supervisor, three arborists and two apprentices.
The team carry out the arboricultural works and tree assessment throughout the arboretum and gardens. This also includes large scale pruning and removals in the glasses house of Kew. With the responsibility of the tree collection, this includes the protection of the collection when new projects are to be installed.
My time studying at Myerscough has allowed me to make the transition from a practical arboriculturist for many years into a senior position in management, especially the ability to write documents to a professional standard for publication. Good sound research skills, but most importantly it has given me the confidence to move from on the tools-based job into a position of senior management.
Jonathan O'Brien
Programme: Ba (Hons) Golf Management
Current Position: Golf Operations Manager, Yas Links, Abu Dhabi
‘’The unique experiences offered at Myerscough were vital in the success of my current role.’’
After graduating, I sought employment in a part of the world that is experiencing rapid growth in golf developments – The Middle East – and secured a role as Golf Operations Manager at Yas Links Golf Facility, Abu Dhabi.
This Troon Golf managed course is one of the first of its kind in the Middle East, where heritage combines with impressive surroundings to provide a unique and distinctive golf experience. I played a key role in the hosting of the 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, a DP World Tour event.
The unique experiences offered at Myerscough, such as work experience trips working at various professional golf events, were vital in the success of my role at Yas Links. I’ve also caddied for professional golfer Minjee Lee when she won the Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic.
James Hutchinson
Programme: BSc (Hons) Sportsturf Science
Current position: Membership Services Manager – BIGGA
I started my greenkeeping career in 1988 as a trainee at Fairhaven golf course, Lancashire and worked there until 1999 where I left to start his own garden landscape business.
I returned to Fairhaven as their ecology manager winning numerous eco related titles such as best British newcomer, conservation greenkeeper of the year, outstanding project of the year and North of England Champion.
James then went on to study FdSc turf science at Myerscough and then onto a BSc (Hons) where I created my dissertation on fescue grasses grown in recycled materials.
I also built a consultancy centred on golf course ecology, and was also St Andrews environmental officer for a number of years. I’m now BIGGA’s membership services manager for sustainability and ecology.
I’m also the holder of a R&A golf scholarship badge.