Mr Andrew Thomas HND, BSc, PGCE, MBA, FHEA

• Senior Lecturer in the portfolio of Leisure, Events, Tourism and Sport
• Placement Supervisor and Admissions Officer

Former Development Officer, Mentor, Coordinator and Coach for the Ospreys, the Welsh Rugby Union and Neath Port Talbots Physical Activity and Sports Service. Responsible for the management and development of 35 Clubs, 80 Primary Schools, 12 Comprehensives and 1 College in Neath Port Talbot.

I’ve lectured at the University in numerous topic area’s including Marketing, Public Relations, Management Theory, Organisational Behaviour, MGT Economics, Strategy and Sports Management. I’ve delivered at various levels to local, regional and international students at HNC, HND, BA, BSc and MBA level.

Historically I have worked in managerial and project management positions at Virgin, MOD, ICL, British Aerospace and Tata. Also previous contractual roles  at Liberty Stadium, Millennium Stadium, LC Swansea, Flex Health Club, ACF and catering,  hospitality and Leisure organizations within the sector.

Member of Higher Education Academy - FHEA

• Current teaching timetable includes Strategic Management
• Operations Management
• Supporting placement and dissertation students

Research interests include pathway development, talent identification, competition structures, and participation. Also access to resources, club development and barriers to entry.  Currently working with the Ospreys and the Welsh Rugby Union by collecting primary data on the development pathway of elite players within the region and analyzing the results in relation to other regions and sports.

Competitions Coordinator for Ospreys Cup and Welsh Cup and Development Officer responsible for the Talent ID in Neath Port Talbot and Ospreys West U16 Regional Team. Focusing on Club/ School, Player and Pathway Development. Following the Ospreys 6 pillars of development that includes physical, nutritional, physiological, technical, tactical and holistic development. Also responsible for links with other partners including Universities, Colleges, Districts, Welsh Schools and other stakeholders.

I help increase participation and manage the elite player development pathway in schools and the community by marketing, analysing, designing, implementing and evaluating learning requirements. I encourage this participation through marketing campaigns, awareness events and active development days.

Alongside the teaching element I need to plan the activities in line with the Governing Bodies Curriculum and devise a scheme of work that exceeds the requirements for the objectives of the project. I monitor individual performance through joint negotiation and arrange action plans in identified development areas. I also mentor teachers, students, parents and community coaches through various schemes and identify training or resource requirements.

Teaching Philosophy:

I facilitate in a student’s transformational learning journey through their development, understanding and application of core themes within Sports Development and Management. My Aim is to create independent learners who are active and purposeful for life.

Both Ystalyfera and Cwmtawe Comprehensive were awarded with the WRU School of Rugby Status in 2013 due to the work I had completed with the School so that they were able to exceed the requirements of the award. Worked with many clubs, Schools and Development Centres in Neath Port Talbot over the last 5 years to gain funding that exceeded £100,000 through grants, sponsorship and additional funding streams.  WRU Member at Afan Need District Meetings and Coordinator of the Regional Competitions Committee.