I used science to be a Professional Football Player
Name: Lee Trundle
Job Title: Former Professional Football Player
Name: Lee Trundle
Job Title: Former Professional Football Player
Lee is a former professional football player and is now a club ambassador for Swansea City AFC. Lee talks to us about how diverse the jobs in football and sport are –whether nutritionists and physiotherapists looking after the health of players, sports scientists analysing match and training and performance, or IT roles supporting the growing use of technology in sports.
Lee is a former professional football player and is now a club ambassador for Swansea City AFC. Lee talks to us about how diverse the jobs in football and sport are –whether nutritionists and physiotherapists looking after the health of players, sports scientists analysing match and training and performance, or IT roles supporting the growing use of technology in sports.
I would call myself a scientist now, because we use a lot of maths and everything that I have learnt has come from a basis of science. "
What does a normal day look like for you?
I can spend days at schools or charity events, but it’s mostly out and about in the community – meeting fans and going to events.
How important is science in your life and in your role?
From a football point of you … we’ve got the analysis side which is massive in football, you’ve got the nutrition side where you’ve got to be at your best. There’s a lot of things that you probably don’t think about and I think the way that football is going at the moment, that’s only going to get bigger. A lot of people want to grow up and play professional sport, but there are so many jobs involved [in science and technology].
What did you love/hate/find easy/find difficult in school?
I was better at sport. I wasn’t very academic but I always tried my best. I did enjoy the science side of it because it was interesting.
Do you have any role models?
Paul Gascoigne. He was someone who played with a smile on his face.
What one piece of advice would you give to a young person wanting to go into your job?
Always believe in yourself and always give yourself the best opportunity. I think the way you live off the football pitch is a massive part of today’s game, so it’s not only what you do on there but what you do in your everyday life as well. Just keep working at it.
I think the way you live off the football pitch is a massive part of today’s game, so it’s not only what you do on there but what you do in your everyday life as well. Just keep working at it."
What does a normal day look like for you?
I can spend days at schools or charity events, but it’s mostly out and about in the community – meeting fans and going to events.
How important is science in your life and in your role?
From a football point of you … we’ve got the analysis side which is massive in football, you’ve got the nutrition side where you’ve got to be at your best. There’s a lot of things that you probably don’t think about and I think the way that football is going at the moment, that’s only going to get bigger. A lot of people want to grow up and play professional sport, but there are so many jobs involved [in science and technology].
What did you love/hate/find easy/find difficult in school?
I was better at sport. I wasn’t very academic but I always tried my best. I did enjoy the science side of it because it was interesting.
Do you have any role models?
Paul Gascoigne. He was someone who played with a smile on his face.
What one piece of advice would you give to a young person wanting to go into your job?
Always believe in yourself and always give yourself the best opportunity. I think the way you live off the football pitch is a massive part of today’s game, so it’s not only what you do on there but what you do in your everyday life as well. Just keep working at it.