Dr Michael King

I learned a lot of fundamental knowledge at Abertay. I talk about getting the basics right in my current job, and there was a lot of that. I learned a lot of foundation stuff and got to understand that it’s the most important thing, and you basically build up your knowledge from there. Certain staff members really pushed me to do better. They pushed me to get involved in different things and really take it to the next level. Abertay is a good place to learn. I enjoyed my time on the campus and I enjoyed my time in the city. The content of the modules was good and the course I did gave me a bit of everything. I was a part of the football team during my time at Abertay - it was excellent. In the four years I played for the team we definitely over-achieved given the size of the universities we were able to compete with. The team I played in got promoted and even now I keep an eye on how the team is doing. I still think about them to this day.

My current role is as a Lecturer in Sport Performance at the University of the West of Scotland. I teach mainly in modules that involve exercise physiology and coaching. Part of my role also requires me to conduct research. My main areas of interest with regards to research are physical progression in adolescent athletes and talent identification in adolescent sport. I am also the Programme Leader for the MSc in Sports Coaching at the university, which requires me to facilitate the running of the programme while considering how we develop and structure the content to best meet the demands of the industry. 

Alongside my work at the university, I am fortunate to be involved with the Scottish Football Association national youth squads as a consultant sport scientist. Being able to work in an applied setting alongside my academic practice is extremely beneficial for me, and for the students that I teach, as I am able to share evidence based practice during my teaching.

Before this, I was Head of Academy Football Science and Medicine at Motherwell Football Club. I dealt with everything, from strength and conditioning provisions to organising physiotherapy provisions. There was a wide range of duties for all of the different age groups.

I worked with the Scottish Football Association (SFA) while I was doing my PHD. Through that I met a lot of people, and one of them was the current First Team sport scientist at Motherwell. When the job came up he got in touch with me and asked me if I’d be interested. It was a completely new role. It had never existed at the club before and was part of the new criteria that the SFA had put in place to try and improve youth development in Scottish football.

I got in touch with one of the coaches at the SFA while I was doing my Masters at Abertay and asked if I could volunteer, and that eventually turned into paid work. It gave me the chance to travel with the youth international squads and it’s actually something I’m still involved with today. I’ve been able to travel the world, going everywhere from Bosnia to Wales to Qatar…so short journeys and incredibly long ones!

View the BSc (Hons) Physical Activity and Health course

View MbR opportunities