Sam Kerruish

MSc Sport Performance Analysis, Class of 2021

There are several factors that drew me to the University of Suffolk; firstly was, of course, the course. I have always been a passionate sports fan and player, especially when it comes to the statistics and analysis of matches. So, when I discovered there was a course that incorporates this, it piqued my interest. I then decided that attending an open day would be the best way to learn more about the course and the university. I was really impressed with the course team and the facilities and software we would have access to. I duly put in my application there and then and haven’t looked back since.

The sports performance analysis course I studied at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels was very hands-on and provided a wide range of industry-standard software and facilities. This allowed me to learn the skills I would need as I transitioned into elite sport upon graduating. The opportunity to make use of all the facilities outside of timetabled sessions was fantastic in being able to develop my understanding and application of the software to a high level.

Given the size of the cohort was around 20, this meant we could really get to know both our peers and our lecturers. It was great to be able to connect with each other and get to know one another on a personal level, and these connections have helped me gain opportunities after graduating. I would often find myself staying behind after sessions to ask the lecturers questions to deepen my understanding and further develop my skills.

Among the many things I’m proud of from my time as a student, one stands out the most to me. With the support of my lecturer Mikeal Jamil, I was able to publish my undergraduate dissertation in the International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport. When I began my dissertation, this is something I would never have considered would even be possible, but with the support of Mikeal, we were able to achieve this. I have since co authored several published papers with Mikeal and the sports science team, and this is something I am immensely proud of.

Since graduating in 2021, I have gone on to work in a variety of roles. I have worked with the Lawn Tennis Association, providing match statistics for elite British tennis players at Grand Slam events, the Olympics, and many more professional tournaments. I also worked with BBC Sport in the production team for the world and UK snooker championships, helping to support studio analysis, match highlights, live coverage, and even putting together the shortlist for the shot of the championship. I am a keen player and fan of both tennis and snooker so these were roles I enjoyed enormously. I am currently working here at the university in professional services, supporting students to achieve their goals and enjoy their time as much as I did whilst studying at Suffolk.

I can safely say that the experience I had at the university was the perfect foundation for me to start my graduate career. I will be forever grateful to the University of Suffolk.