Where are MSc PA Class of 2013 Now? Chris Baker

Here is a link back to the list of the Class of 2013 interviews and the original “Where are they now” blog post.

Basic Profile

Name: Chris Baker

PA Experience: 3 years

Current job(s): Head of Junior School PE

PA Highlights: Working through the highs and lows with the Cardiff Archers from 2011-2014. Working with Reading Ladies Hockey Club during their triumphant Eurohockey Club Champions Trophy campaign in Antwerp 2013. 

Questions

1. Why did you decide to undertake the MSc PA course in September 2011 and what were you doing prior? Having spent the previous 3 years at UWIC, I picked up a real interest in PA, culminating in my PA-based dissertation in my final year. After consultation with some of the PA lecturing staff there, I opted to follow my interest through to MSc level.

2. What was your experience like during the taught modules from September 2011 to June 2012? I enjoyed the time between Sept 2011 and June 2012, despite it often involving many LATE nights doing assignments and LONG Mondays in the labs. I feel like I learnt a lot from the taught modules, and alongside the work-based learning module, I think it made myself and the rest of the people on the course very well-rounded. I got to meet some great people, many of which I still speak to today! At times, I felt it very difficult to maintain my school-based coaching hours and front-of-house restaurant hours alongside the university time; but again, being able to balance all of these things has helped me a lot with where I am today.

3. What you have been up to since finishing the taught modules in June 2012? Since finishing the taught modules, I went on to complete my dissertation in February 2013. Following that, I went on to graduate at the Millennium Centre in July with Hannah Rowlands and a number of MSc PA students from previous years who had finished their studying. That summer, I worked with Reading Ladies HC and travelled with them to Antwerp for their Eurohockey Club Champions Trophy. This was a very valuable experience, where I had the opportunity to work with some of the most dedicated sportswomen I have ever come across. During my MSc year, I was working at Howell’s School in Llandaff, providing sports coaching for a few evenings a week. In the year following my graduation, I went on to work permanently in the school’s PE department. I used my PA experience to good effect and was able to provide our Sport Scholarship students with some useful tactical and technical analysis of their performances in a variety of sporting fields. This year (2014), I have taken up the role as Head of PE in the Junior School (ages 3-11). I have continued to keep my eyes open for jobs in PA, and have applied for a small handful. I also continued in my position as performance analyst for the UWIC/Cardiff Archers Women’s Basketball programme from 2011-2014, spanning 3 exciting seasons. The first season was during our study, where I was working as part of a group of many talented analysts who each shared a growing passion for basketball as the year went on. Remaining in Cardiff following the culmination of the taught MSc modules, I continued to provide support for the basketball team and worked for a further two seasons. Each year, I provided mentoring for both BSc and MSc students, allowing me to work with some talented and passionate analysts once again. The team itself, the equipment and the workflows changed considerably over the course of the three years, but each season was highly enjoyable and enriching. Being able to work closely with the likes of Stef Collins, Kate Butters and Sarah Wagstaff for the entirety was a privilege. Due to other work commitments, I am no longer able to work as the PA for the Archers, but I still provide support when called-upon and have had a small role in helping the MSc students from 2014 get started with the programme.

4. What is your current paid/ voluntary job(s) now? Head of Junior School PE at Howell’s School, Llandaff.  I teach PE to girls in Key Stage 2, and oversee PE from Nursery – KS2 (ages 3-11). I plan lessons, deliver lessons. I’m also responsible for the social media of sport at the school – involves a lot of tweeting, and am in charge of hockey throughout the school (age 7-18). So lots of hockey coaching after school!  As a means of assessment, I utilise a camera and give the students video feedback. I have also produced instructional videos that highlight what we do with regards to sport at the school.

5. How do you feel about your PA career so far and for the future? My PA career hasn’t been exactly as I had imagined it, but I am happy in my current situation. I am now teaching full time, and I feel like my PA experiences (particularly in hockey and basketball) help me every day! I would always consider jobs in the PA industry, and continue to keep my eyes open to that prospect.

6. What advice would you give to somebody who is about to embark in a career in PA? Try and experience PA in as many different sporting fields, and with as many different platforms of software as possible, when possible. Every experience will count towards making you a better, multi-dimensional analyst.

7. Recount is a memorable moment/ story involving thevolleyballanalyst? A night during a busy hand-in time, I left the thevolleyballanalyst in the PA labs at about 9pm, and found out the next morning that he remained there until 7am (and was joined by one of the campus cleaners doing her morning shift!). This was not the only time he powered through the early hours and was able to greet the cleaners!

8.  Anything else?