George Lapslie

Coaching for Performance in Football BSc (Hons)

I’m a role model now for young players at the Academy.

George, a midfielder, originally from Essex, has spent the last three years studying for a Coaching for Performance in Football degree at ARU while helping his club Charlton Athletic rise back into the Championship.

I’ve always been told by managers and family that as well as being a football player, education is really important for future jobs. Wanting to stay in the football profession, and finding that I really enjoyed coaching for the Academy, this degree really suited me.

It’s been great to create new friends and contacts that will help in my future career as a coach.

Discovering your strengths

I’m a role model now for young players at the Academy. The Head of Educational Development at Charlton Athletic speaks to young Academy players about my journey, and how it’s possible to play professionally and study for a degree. He speaks to them regularly about the importance of education as well as playing football and I’m really proud of this.

Why ARU?

You learn a lot from having students and tutors who already work in the football profession. They have a lot of experience and knowledge. They have given me great ideas that I’ve used myself as a player and will use as a coach in the future.

The residential was a great experience and I learnt a lot about training and how the body responds to training, which I have used in the professional game out on the pitch.

It’s great to learn from other coaches and to share my coaching ideas with them. It’s been great to create new friends and contacts that will help in my future career as a coach.

Tips for students

The course is hard work, but I’ve managed to fit in studying with my job quite easily. It was hard at first, but you’ve got to be organised. Make use of the students and tutors, as they have so much experience and knowledge and are always happy to help.



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