ISEA Placement Funding
With the financial support from the ISEA I was able to successfully complete my voluntary work placement at the ITF. This funding provided the financial assistance required to allow me to make the most out of a valued opportunity. The high financial pressures entailed with travel and accommodation within London were greatly eased and therefore allowed me to work to best of my ability in all work carried out. In addition, it provided me with the confidence and means to prepare as effectively as possible beforehand knowing that finances were in place prior to my placement, this relived much pressure and again allowed me to focus on being ready for the work carried out while at the ITF.
From this experience I was therefore able to gain an invaluable insight into the technical theory and testing procedures involved in tennis, from surfaces and balls to software. I was able to learn how to use the advanced machinery responsible for evaluating all these technical aspects of the sport, whilst gaining a better understanding in the process. Alongside many industry professionals I was also able to observe and take part in many different tasks gaining expert advice and training, which i look to consolidate on in the future. This would not have been achievable without the financial support from the ISEA.
In the immediate future I believe that this funding and completion of my placement will enable me now to implement this newfound experience and skills into my third year of university whilst also challenging me to approach tasks with a new perspective. Fundamentally I will now look to apply and draw upon this knowledge and experience in all future university projects. I believe this again will prove invaluable towards the duration of my course.
On reflection I was able to gain an amazing insight into my area of study beyond a university environment and crucially understand how the theory i have learned is translated into a practical working environment. The result is that I could take my first big step within the sports engineering industry, gaining invaluable first-hand knowledge in the processes. It has also hopefully set me on the right path to becoming an accomplished sports engineer and provide the early foundations towards the future, where i hope to make positive impact and contribute towards the wider field.
