Akash Modhwadia

Head of Performance, Sheffield United Women's Football Club

As a kid I used to come and watch MK Dons as a season ticket holder with my friends. I always dreamt about working at the club, so I feel proud that I have achieved this.

Why I chose to attend Leeds Trinity

Leeds Trinity offered the specialist sports course that I really wanted to study, so I made the move from Milton Keynes up north. I really enjoyed Leeds as a city, and it offered everything I wanted outside of my studies.

What I enjoyed most about the course

The best thing for me about the course was how practical it was, the assessments were realistic and based on applying the techniques and skills learnt on the course. I really benefited from the small class size and formed great relationships with lecturers Phil McDonald and Jon Radcliffe, who I am still in touch with regularly. I have enjoyed returning as a speaker to share my career insights and advice since graduating. 

Taking advantage of the placements and contacts

I made sure I took advantage of every opportunity to gain experience and placements that I could. I worked as a strength and conditioning intern at Coventry City Academy and then at Doncaster Football Club. Through the course I had built up a good relationship with fellow student Dan Solts, it was he who helped me to get the internship with Doncaster.

My career since graduating

After graduating from Leeds Trinity I then went on to undertake an MSc in Strength & Conditioning as well as working with Doncaster Rovers Belles Ladies Football Club as their First Team Sport Scientist. After this, I landed a job at MK Dons as their Academy Sports Scientist. I then became the First Team Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach.

As a kid, I used to come and watch MK Dons as a season ticket holder with my friends. I always dreamt about working at the club, so I feel proud that I have achieved this.

In November 2022 I became Head of Performance at Sheffield United Women's Football Club.

My advice to others about working in professional football

It is a tough industry to work in and there is a lot of graft involved. I wouldn’t be able to do this without the practical experience I gained from the course and from the placements I did.

You will have to deal with a lot of players, which can change, so it is important to be open and build good healthy relationships. There will be so many different personalities in the team, so you may have to adjust your approach for the different individuals.