Ashley Gill

Course Director

Health, Education, Policing and Sciences

I’m a senior member of the Sport and Exercise department, with a background as an educator and sports coach. I have taught on sports coaching related courses for almost 20 years, utilising a multi-disciplinary approach to sports education. Whilst I have a multi-sport approach to coach education, my primary sport of interest is basketball, which I have coached at varying levels for almost 25 years.

In my role here at Staffordshire University, I oversee all aspects of postgraduate provision within the department, ensuring that Sport and Exercise students have a quality experience on their respective programmes. Alongside this, I contribute to the lecturing and delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the subject area of sports coaching; aiming to provide engaging and innovative lectures, practical's and seminars that stimulate interest and enable students to develop both personally and professionally.

I am an avid researcher, published author, and PhD candidate at Staffordshire University, currently undertaking a PhD by Published Work. My main research interests surround the transition of students as they progress through Higher Education, exploring the different journeys of student groups through key educational landmarks.

Professional memberships and activities

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Teaching Excellence Fellow at Staffordshire University
Member of the Academy of Teaching Fellows at Staffordshire University
QTLS
Basketball England – Player’s Licence + Coach’s Licence

Academic qualifications

PhD by Publication – 2019-Present – Staffordshire University
Post Graduate Certificate of Education – 2010 – Sheffield Hallam University
MSc Sport & Exercise Science – 2007 – Leeds Beckett’s University
BSc (Hons.) Sport & Exercise Science – 2003 – Nottingham Trent University

Expertise

Applied sport coaching High performance coaching Grass roots coaching Coaching pedagogy Personal and professional development in sport coaching

Research interests

My main research interests revolve around the transition of students to Higher Education, exploring the different journeys of student groups through key educational landmarks. I peer review and edit on behalf of the following academic journals: Journal of Further and Higher Education, Studies in Higher Education, Research in Post Compulsory Education. Please get in touch with me by email (see contact details above) should you wish to discuss a research project or supervision.

Grants

Project grant from 'Academy of Teaching Fellows' at Staffordshire University, £2000.

Enterprise and commercial interests

I have working relationships, including providing consultation for a range of stakeholders within sport and exercise. For example: Stoke City F.C., Stoke City F.C. Women’s team, Port Vale F.C., Port Vale Foundation Trust, Stoke RTC (Boys) of the JPL and Stoke City F.C. RTC (Girls), Newcastle Town F.C. I also have close associations with staff at governing organisations, such as UK Coaching and CIMSPA.

Teaching

Foundations of Sports Coaching Coaching Pedagogy

Reflections on learning practice

Professional practice and CPD in Sport Master research project [Supervision]

Publications

Book:

Gill, A.J.G., 2021. Foundations of Sports Coaching: Applying theory to Practice [3rd ed]. Routledge, Abingdon, U.K.

Research:

Gill, A.J.G., 2021. Difficulties and support in the transition to higher education for non-traditional students. Research in Post-Compulsory Education, 26(4), pp.410-441.

Gill, A.J.G., 2020. The thoughts, feelings and perceptions of sport and exercise students progressing from vocational education and training to academic education. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 44(6), pp.795-808.

Gill, A.J.G., 2019. Student Transition into Higher Education: Exploring BTEC Sport and Exercise Students Forthcoming Transition to Higher Education Taught within a Further Education Setting. Innovative Practice in Higher Education. 3(3), pp.90-112.

Gill, A.J.G., 2017. The Transitional Experiences of Sport and Exercise Students from Further Education to Higher Education, Innovative Practice in Higher Education, 3(1), pp. 22-47.

Gill, A. J. G. (2016, July 20). Performance vs. Participation in Youth Sports. The Sentinel. Retrieved from http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/

Research Gate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ashley-Gill-2

Presentations:

Gill, A. J. G., 2020 (February 26th). Factors Affecting University Sports Students Participation in NGB Coach Education Courses. UK Coaching, Applied Research Conference, Pride Park, Derby.

Newlands, K. and Gill, A. J. G., 2020 (February 26th). Players Perceptions of Experiencing the Constraints Led Approach to Coaching. UK Coaching, Applied Research Conference, Pride Park, Derby.

Crump, M. and Gill, A. J. G., 2020 (February 26th). ‘Straight off the training ground’: Using the Constraints Led Approach for Pre-planned Strategies in Rugby Union. UK Coaching, Applied Research Conference, Pride Park, Derby.

ashley.gill1@staffs.ac.uk