[A] Cumbrian PE student has secured a dream placement with the rugby union club he’s followed since childhood.
Dayne Massey will spend time as physical performance intern with Leicester Tigers as the major contributor to his 3rd year placement module. Working primarily with the club’s senior strength and conditioning coaches he’ll also focus on the Tigers’ academy players when he joins later this month.
After living in Derbyshire Dayne’s family moved to Dumfries and Galloway and now lives in Carlisle where he studies at the University of Cumbria’s Fusehill Street campus.
“It’s my childhood sport and club so I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to meet, never mind work with the senior squad,” Dayne said.
“Growing up and watching them play they were like gods and it’s now very surreal to be working with them and ultimately training them. It’s a huge personal passion of mine and now I have the opportunity to turn that into a profession. I will look to apply myself to the best of my ability to get every last possible experience I can out of the position and the club as a whole.”
Leicester Tigers are currently 4th in the Aviva Rugby Premiership and in pool 1 of the European Rugby Champions Cup. They play Wasps in the semi-final of the Aviva Premiership on 20th May.
“Dayne is a highly motivated student with passion and drive; I am absolutely delighted that he has been offered this fantastic opportunity,” Lindsay Sander, senior lecturer in physical education at the University of Cumbria, said.
“No one deserves it more than he does and I am so proud to have been one of the tutors that have supported him in his ambition. Dayne will be a fantastic University of Cumbria ambassador at this prestigious club and I have every confidence that our reputation will grow as a result of it.”
Dayne’s placement starts at the end of the May.
“Obviously, it wouldn’t have been possible without the continued support of my tutors, and the course itself,” Dayne said. “PE at the University of Cumbria is one of the best courses on offer. It is always suggested by students across the country that a personal experience is most highly valued, and you don’t get that better anywhere else than at UOC. Highly qualified, motivated and passionate staff are 100% always there for you, and always have an answer. The content of the course absolutely matches that of any other sport science or coaching degree, and the flexibility of the course allows you to choose a variety of routes.”
