Stirling graduate set to transform fencing in Scotland | About | University of Stirling

“The MSc has been enormously helpful”

He said: “It’s about changing the way coaches coach. Fencing is more than 300 years old as a sport and pretty much the way it was taught then, is the way it is being taught now. It isn’t relevant to the modern game, from the technical aspect to the pedagogy to how we teach.” 

He’s now working on a new strategy to overhaul and update coach education, praising his university learning for supporting him along the way.

“The MSc has been enormously helpful,” he said. “I wanted to challenge my thinking and learn more about the science behind sports coaching. The course was distance learning, with access to the material and lecturers constantly on tap, which allowed me to balance study and work perfectly.”

This month, Philip will join 11 of his students at Challenge Wratislavia in Poland – a major international fencing tournament for children under 15 – which means he is unable to attend his graduation ceremony in Stirling.

He said: “It’s an incredible event, with a similar atmosphere to the Commonwealth Games. It gives our students the experience of performing at a very large international event as well as meeting competitors from across the globe. It will give them a taste of what is possible if they continue in fencing.”

Stephen McDonald, Course Director, MSc Sport Performance Coaching at the University of Stirling, said: “On behalf of the teaching team, it has been a real privilege to have been part of Philip’s learning journey. 

“We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with students who have the desire to make a real impact through their coaching.”