Where are MSc PA Class of 2013 Now? Mike Haines

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: Mike Haines

PA Experience: 5 years

Current job(s): Head of Performance Analysis at Fleetwood Town Football Club

PA Highlights: Promotion to League 1 with Fleetwood via the 2013-14 League 2 Playoffs, keeping three straight clean-sheets in the process (and the party afterwards…)

Questions

1. Why did you decide to undertake the MSc PA course in September 2011 and what were you doing prior?  I’d started working as an analyst with Swindon Town during the second year of my degree (Sport Science at the University of Gloucestershire) and was completing a dissertation in PA and I wanted to pursue the discipline further. A number of my lecturers and other analysts I had spoken to recommended the course for its standing within the industry, the facilities provided and the placement opportunities.

2. What was your experience like during the taught modules from September 2011 to June 2012? Rather than living in Cardiff I travelled in every Monday on the earliest train and a bus, which meant it was a long day. I found the lectures interesting but I felt that there was a bit of a disconnect between what was taught and the more practical issues encountered in the field. One of the most valuable aspects of the course for me was the access to experienced and knowledgeable staff and to software such as SportsCode Elite, which I did not have at Swindon and had not used previously.

3. What you have been up to since finishing the taught modules in June 2012?  After the taught modules had finished I pressed on with the dissertation, which was based on the 2012 UEFA European Championships. I also continued to work at Swindon alongside a part-time job, before completing the dissertation in July 2013. I applied for various roles around that time as it was apparent that there would not be a paid full-time role for me at Swindon for the following season and after a number of interviews all over the country I was offered the job at Fleetwood in September 2013.

4. What is your current paid/ voluntary job(s) now?  Head of Performance Analysis at Fleetwood Town Football Club.

5. How do you feel about your PA career so far and for the future?  I had seen myself as working as an analyst in an academy environment as I had enjoyed this at Swindon and considered it to be more stable than the first team environment. However over the past season I have become convinced that having experience in both environments is highly beneficial as it exposes you to different issues and challenges, whilst skills gained in one environment are transferable to the other. The club is building a new £6 million training ground at the moment and has introduced a development squad this season, as a result the department which was started from scratch in September 2013 is continuing to grow in line with the club which is very exciting for the future.

6. What advice would you give to somebody who is about to embark in a career in PA?  Take advantage of any opportunities for practical experience, network as much as possible, be prepared to work very hard and don’t call the manager “mate” (just a little story I heard from another club in the North-West!).

7. Recount is a memorable moment/ story involving thevolleyballanalyst?  Trying unsuccessfully to convince you to get rid of those crocs! (see attached pic ;-))

8. Anything else? A link to my (occasionally updated) blog: http://mikehainesperformance.wordpress.com