Hello and welcome to The Everyday Sport Scientist. Sport is more than the pitch it’s played on. Everyone has experience in sport in someway, whether that be spectating, participating or even just a passing interest.  

I believe that lessons learned from cutting edge ideas and research in sport can be applied to anyone in everyday life. 

This blog is a place for me to bring ideas together about the current thoughts, ideas and research in sports science. I aim to share some insights and educate you a bit about the science behind exercise. Along the way hopefully you too will see how the lessons from sport and exercise science can benefit your life. 

My Sporting Journey:

I’m Francesca, a postgraduate student in sports and exercise psychology. I love all things sport and science. I like reading the latest books, analysing cutting edge research, listening to podcasts and hearing anecdotes about all the science involved in sport and exercise.

I grew up in Huddersfield, a town in West Yorkshire UK with my loving parents and 2 older brothers in a sporting mad family. With 3 kids and only 2 adults, I was dragged to endless football matches, watching my brothers and after several years of sitting bored at the side of the pitch, it became apparent that ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’. So, I got a season ticket for my beloved Newcastle United FC, joined my local junior girls team and even became a football referee.

But that was just the start, since then my love of sport has grown and adapted, trying and watching any and every sport that has come my way.

Eventually my sporting quest led me to join my local athletics team and there I found my true passion. 10 years later I’m still an active member, coaching the junior squad, training for the 400m and competing in any event needed to secure a few points for the club. Not only did athletics provide my sporting love but I also managed to chase down my amazing boyfriend, Liam, whilst running around the track. 

Coaching and competing still didn’t feel enough and I decided to take my interest in sport further at uni. I had a fantastic few years at Newcastle University learning about a range of topics including genetics, pharmacology, nutrition, biomechanics, exercise physiology and sport psychology.

Having completed my bachelor’s in Exercise Biomedicine at Newcastle University, I turned my attention to the classroom, exploring my desire to educate others. After a deeply insightful year spent teaching science in a local high school, I still just couldn’t shake the pull of the sporting world. 

So here I am, a bachelors and a PGCE down, just about to start a Master’s in Psychology of Sports and Exercise at Leeds Beckett University.

I’ve come a long way from the bored little sister at the side of a football pitch. These days I spend my time studying for my masters, coaching and training for athletics, having adventures with Liam, travelling as much as time and student budgets will allow and religiously supporting and commiserating in the trials and tribulations of Newcastle United.

I love to hear from you. 

Whether you have a question, want to share your opinion or simply want to say hello, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Don’t be a stranger!