Sports

Portsmouth University student Bruce Suraci was the first student to benefit from the new BUCS and Premierleague partnership after being successful in applying for a role as 'Youth Team Liaison Officer' at the recent Premierleague International Youth Tournament held at the University of Warwick between 8th-10th June 2012.   

The once in a life time opportunity was open to all BUCS Football Futures students and represents the first of many new volunteer opportunities that will be developed following the new BUCS and Premierleague Partnership.

Oliver Selfe National Football Development Manager at BUCS added; I am delighted that BUCS have been able to offer such a prestigious opportunity to our Football Futures students. More students like Bruce will be able to benefit from the new partnership that we are developing and opportunities like this will go a long way in contributing towards the development of the student’s knowledge, experience and future employability.

Bruce expanded upon his experience by adding; 'As a volunteer at the University of Portsmouth FC, I have fulfilled many roles from Club President, to Head Coach and Social Secretary. I was lucky enough to be awarded BUCS Volunteer of the Year in 2011 for my 1,000 hours contribution to the football club.�After being recommended to apply for the position as Portuguese interpreter for the Premier League Under 11's International Tournament, I was lucky enough to be accepted for the position. After an initial 3 hour training session at the Premier League Headquarters in London I teamed up with Premier League staff the day before the event. I was provided with free accommodation, travel expenses and given Premierleague kit which really made me feel part of the of the team. My first responsibility was to greet the Sporting Lisbon Under 11 team and help them to prepare for the tournament by showing them around the campus and escorting them to their accommodation and to the restaurant.

On the Saturday and Sunday, I helped the team prepare by ensuring that their every needs were catered for this included meals, warm-ups, fixtures and interpreting tournament instructions. It was also great to be looking after an extremely talented group of players and to learn first hand from a UEFA Pro Licence Coach, who had a very different coaching style and cultural approach with the players.

The whole experience was fantastic and I met lots of great people which has provided me with some useful contacts for the future. Having now just graduated from university I have been able to take on new coaching roles as Director for the Hampshire FA Girls' Centre of Excellence and Football Academy Director at Portsmouth College.

I would like to thank BUCS and the Premierleague for this fantastic opportunity.

If you wish to sign up for the BUCS Football Futures programme and benefit from future work experience opportunities click here.