UCFB students recruited to ECFA team

ECFA has recruited four students from University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) for roles across the football development team. Student Adam Keep and graduate Maria Fernandes have landed Performance Analyst roles for the upcoming 2021/21 season and will provide video analysis of the women’s and men’s national representative teams, as well as support the ECFA with our coverage of various national competitions. Adam, a third year BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Management student, and Maria, a MSc Football Coaching & Analysis graduate, will use their skills learnt at UCFB to provide team, unit and individual player analysis to ECFA technical staff to ensure the national teams can continue to develop and compete at an international level. Adam commented: “I’m specifically interested in the utilisation of technology in the game and I look forward to applying what I have learnt at Portsmouth, Watford and from my amazing lecturers. “I can’t wait to get started and hopefully hit the pitch running. I feel like this is the start of something big.” Maria added: "I’m really looking forward to using my experience so far in coaching, performance analysis and scouting to support the work of the ECFA in developing talented young footballers. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with a great team of committed people who have a wealth of knowledge between them and continue my development as an analyst through using VEO camera and analysis products.” Ian Barber, Senior Competitions Administrator at AoC Sport, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Maria and Adam to the ECFA National Team. Having a Performance Analyst will further enhance the experience that staff and players get during their time with the squad and once again, our partnership with UCFB has enabled us to find two fantastic individuals to fill the roles. “Both have experience in using VEO technology and like all of us, cannot wait to get started when it is safe to do so.” Thanks to the ECFA’s unique partnership with UCFB, two media interns have also been recruited for the first time. Student James Hawkins, who studies BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism, and BA (Hons) Football Business & Marketing graduate Alicia Pryzsieniak, have already begun their work as Media Officers ahead of the 2020/21 season, creating a Twitter campaign that shines a spotlight on the fantastic work being done by colleges to develop football. https://twitter.com/ECFA12/status/1298530627361415169?s=20 The pair will be responsible for generating and sharing insightful and engaging multimedia content throughout the year, including national team fixtures, cup finals and team camps at St. George’s Park, the headquarters of the England national teams. Commenting on her new position, Alicia said: “It’s so exciting. We have been given our own campaign to work on and the ECFA love our templates, so it’s good to be trusted with such a great deal. The opportunities that are available to me are endless, and there are so many exciting things coming up in the next year that I can’t wait to be a part of.” James added: “It's a brilliant opportunity. To be able to represent England in a media capacity is a dream come true and being given the opportunity to express our ideas is one I look forward to.” Alice Kempski, AoC Sport National Football Development Manager said: “We are delighted to have recruited James and Alicia as our English College’s FA Media Officer Interns. They have already demonstrated their infectious enthusiasm and passion for football, as well as their specialist expertise in digital communications and social media, so we are thrilled to welcome them for the season ahead. “We hope they will learn, grow and importantly enjoy the experiences they will be offered through covering our England Colleges National Teams, as well as our national and regional football competitions.”