Steph Walker

Choosing to study Sport at the University of South Wales  

Sport has always been a massive part of my life. I started judo when I was five years old and trained full-time as an athlete in Wales from the age of 16. However, after an injury, I realised I needed to focus on my education. Initially, I enrolled in a teaching course at USW, but within a week, I knew I wanted to pursue sport. I reached out to Tony Wallace, the course leader, and transferred to Sports Coaching and Development.   

Throughout my time at USW, I’ve had incredible opportunities to gain industry experience. In my second year, I worked with Sport RCT for part of my placement, coaching in primary schools, before continuing my placement with Welsh Judo. I also attended employment events, networking with industry professionals and gaining insight into future career opportunities.  

One of the highlights of my course has been the Enterprise in Sport module, where I developed an idea for a girls’ judo project. That idea has since come to life in my third year as my applied professional project, with over 50 females participating in judo sessions.  

Plans after graduation 

Looking ahead, my goal is to qualify for the Commonwealth Games next year as an athlete while also pursuing my master’s in Sport Management. Long-term, I hope to build a career in judo through events management and development. The support from my lecturers and USW’s facilities have played a huge role in preparing me for the future.