We recently caught up with Sport Coaching Science student, Lucia Santoriello, on her time so far at St Mary’s University (SMU).
Lucia is captain of the SMU mixed lacrosse team and has been a judo coach for a few years now.
We asked Lucia all about her degree, as well as what it’s like joining a sport society at university.
What made you choose Sports Coaching Science at St Mary’s?
I've been judo coaching for a few years now and my sisters are judo coaches too, so I’ve always had that connection to coaching. When I finished college, I didn't know what I wanted to do so I worked for two years before coming to university. I actually had no intention of going to university, but then I started thinking that I wanted to do more with my love of judo. I thought the Sports Coaching Science course at St Mary’s sounded really interesting so just went for it.
What are you enjoying most about your degree so far?
I'm very lucky because one of my lecturers is a judo player, so he gives really awesome insight into my area of interest. But even if the modules aren’t specific to your sport, the lecturers still try and make the classes relevant to you. They ask questions to find out more about you and your particular interests in the field, which is really nice.
I love that because our classes aren't huge, the teachers really get to know you as a person. They really get to know what you're trying to achieve with the degree, and I feel like everyone is really invested in you. When we’re working on projects, the lecturers are engaged and interested in what we come up with and provide feedback and suggestions to help us improve and go further. I really love it here.
Was there anything you found surprising about university life?
I knew the atmosphere would be really friendly and full of people socialising and going out, but it was nice to find that St Mary’s has some great facilities and opportunities for just chilling out while also still feeling included in student life. Something else that I wasn’t expecting is that this year I was made the mixed captain for the Lacrosse team, which is really exciting. The support that I've had from the lacrosse club is insane, we’re really like a little family. Even if you don't play the sport, we have people who come to all the lacrosse socials which is so fun.
I chose the course because of the science involved as well as the coaching, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn about all the different opportunities and career paths the science aspects can lead to. I’ve also found the coaching element has been really helpful and already made a difference to my judo coaching outside of university.
What would you say to anyone thinking about starting a university sport?
University sport is probably the most relaxed sport you'll ever do in your life, so just go for it! There’s no pressure when you first join so it's 100% worth you trying out different things.
Stick your fingers in loads of pies, try everything, and something will stick. Like for me, in my first semester at St Mary’s I did weightlifting, mixed martial arts club, and lacrosse. But in my second semester I realised lacrosse is really what I wanted to focus on and just did that. I was also in the anime society for a while which was really fun.
What’s next for you once you graduate?
I’d love to do a master’s degree after I graduate. I'm really into the biomechanics modules that I’m doing right now, it’s so fascinating and enjoyable. It’s made me think about going into product development for judo because I haven't seen much specifically designed equipment out there. There’s so much to explore within that which is very exciting. Whatever happens, I'll always continue my judo coaching and hopefully be able to go even further within the sport.