Ellis Pascall

Women's Team Manager at Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club

The big plus for me was the number of placement opportunities I was able to take advantage of.

Why I chose to attend Leeds Trinity

When I was first looking around Universities, I wanted to get a good image as to what was on offer around the country. I loved how small Leeds Trinity was and had a great home feeling about it and listening to the Students’ Union President mentioning the lecturers know you by name and not just a face or a number was ideal for me. This really sold it to me, and the rest is history.

My most memorable student experiences

The long days and nights come straight to mind when thinking about my time at Leeds Trinity University! As much as this sound horrific, having your friends and course peers around you during the times close to deadline dates helped massively providing some great entertainment along the way. As much as I really enjoyed my degree my most memorable experiences whilst being at Leeds Trinity are playing for the Titans Rugby League team. From the social events to away days and just the all-round experience with them was fantastic. I would suggest to anyone coming to university to go and join a sports team, it’s something you won’t regret, and you can make friends for life.

I am top row, fourth from left

Overcoming challenges

Challenges always present themselves at university but that is a part of the experience of being there. Making sure you're hitting the deadline on time or getting up early for a lecture after a social spring to mind. For me personally, it was balancing work commitments with deadlines and trying to get as much voluntary work in as possible - this was always a tough ask. Being able to build a strong CV while at university and helped me massively with my employability.

Preparing me for my career

Leeds Trinity helped me prepare for my career in so many ways, from making sure I can hit deadlines on time to giving me experience in writing lesson plans for the sessions I currently deliver. The big plus for me was the number of placement opportunities I was able to take advantage of.  Overall, I had three different placements over a four-year period. One of them eventually provided me with the opportunity to have the job I secured after graduating. Secondly, the Sports Development Department are fantastic in giving students opportunities to do sports qualifications, this was a huge help when going for my current job.

My career to date

I work for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and I specifically work with a cluster of primary schools in Horsforth. I provide them with coaching sessions and help them increase the participation levels in both physical activity and sport throughout their schools. I also allow schools to enter both inter and intra school competitions giving the children an experience of competing in sport.  Additionally, to my role, I undertake an assistant coaching role for the Women's Development Pathway at the Leeds Rhinos. This is mainly aimed at working with girls aged between 16-19. 

Career highlights

One of my career highlights came from working on a placement while at Leeds Trinity. Getting to work alongside Lois Forsell, the Women's and Girls Development Officer for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, gave me such a drive and motivation for coaching Rugby League and also the passion to develop women and girls playing Rugby League which is such a male dominated sport.  Another role which I am incredibly proud about is securing a joint Head Coaching position for the England Universities Women's team.

My advice would for a prospective student considering a course at Leeds Trinity Go for it, get stuck into anything you can while at university because once you leave you will always be missing the great times you had.  And without doubt - join a sports team!