Pursuing his interest in Strength and Conditioning, and Nutrition, Rohan Sood, MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science student carried out an internship in this area.
What was your role with Team Derby?
As an intern with Team Derby, I work in both Strength & Conditioning (S&C) and Nutrition, supporting the physical preparation and dietary strategies of the university athletes. My role involves designing and implementing tailored S&C programmes to improve performance, prevent injuries and ensure athletes peak at the right times in their competitive seasons. I also provide nutritional guidance to enhance recovery, fuel performance and optimise body composition based on the specific demands of each sport.
I work with multiple performance teams, ensuring their training and nutrition align with their sport-specific needs. A typical day includes coaching gym-based sessions, conducting athlete assessments, advising on nutrition strategies (such as fuelling for training, hydration, or meal planning), and collaborating with coaches and support staff to refine performance strategies. My work bridges the gap between training and nutrition, ensuring athletes adopt a holistic approach to their development.
How did the internship enhance your MSc study?
My MSc in Applied Sport Science includes Sports Training Principles and Strength and Conditioning Science, both of which directly align with my Team Derby internship. This experience has allowed me to apply theoretical concepts in a real-world setting, significantly enhancing my understanding.
A key advantage of my internship is access to athletes for research. Whether exploring training interventions, recovery strategies or performance assessments, I can apply my studies in real-world contexts, bridging the gap between academia and applied sport science.
Overall, this internship has deepened my practical knowledge, providing hands-on experience in programme implementation, athlete monitoring and data analysis - critical skills for both my academic and professional development.
How did the internship help you develop as an applied practitioner?
This internship has been instrumental in linking theoretical knowledge to real-world application. In my S&C role, I’ve refined my coaching techniques, improved my ability to adapt training sessions based on athlete feedback and developed a better understanding of long-term athletic development.
On the nutrition side, I’ve gained experience in educating athletes about fuelling strategies, hydration and recovery nutrition, tailoring advice to individual needs rather than applying generic recommendations. I’ve also learned how to communicate complex nutritional concepts in a way that resonates with athletes, ensuring they can implement practical dietary changes.
Beyond technical skills, I’ve developed greater confidence in leading sessions, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and managing the varied needs of athletes across different sports. These are essential attributes for any applied practitioner looking to work in high-performance sport.
How has this experience contributed to your future career aspirations?
This internship has solidified my ambition to work in elite sport, either in a dual role as an S&C coach with a nutrition specialism or within a multidisciplinary performance team. The experience has provided me with a clearer understanding of the skills required in professional settings and has helped me build a strong foundation for my future career.
By working with athletes across multiple sports, I’ve developed a more versatile coaching and nutritional support approach, making me well-equipped to adapt to different environments. Additionally, the exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration has been invaluable as it has taught me how to integrate S&C and nutrition with other performance elements such as physiotherapy and sports psychology.
This role has also expanded my professional network, allowing me to learn from experienced practitioners and gain insights into different career pathways within sports science and performance coaching.
What's been the most important thing you have learnt from the opportunity?
The most important thing I’ve learned is the value of individualisation—whether in training or nutrition, no two athletes are the same. While scientific principles provide the foundation, the ability to adapt programmes and nutritional advice to the specific needs, preferences and constraints of an athlete is what makes an applied practitioner truly effective.
I’ve also realised the importance of communication. Translating technical knowledge into actionable, easy-to-understand guidance is a skill that has made a real impact on athlete engagement and adherence to both training and nutrition plans.
Additionally, I’ve learned how to balance long-term athletic development with short-term performance goals. Managing workloads, recovery strategies and nutritional interventions based on competition schedules has been a crucial takeaway from this experience.
What was it like being part of the performance sport environment at the University?
Being part of Team Derby’s performance sport environment is incredibly rewarding. The athletes are highly motivated which creates an exciting and fast-paced setting where everyone is striving to improve.
One of the standout aspects is the interdisciplinary approach—working alongside coaches, physiotherapists and sports scientists has provided a holistic view of athlete development. It’s a great learning environment as there is constant collaboration and knowledge exchange among staff and interns.
There’s also a strong emphasis on continuous development, with opportunities to attend workshops, gain hands-on experience and refine coaching methods. It’s a dynamic environment that challenges you to be proactive, adaptable and always looking for ways to enhance athlete performance.
What would your advice be to students considering an internship with Team Derby?
My biggest piece of advice is to be proactive and take ownership of your learning. The more you put into this internship, the more you’ll gain from it. Seek feedback from coaches, ask questions and take every opportunity to lead sessions and interact with athletes.
Developing strong communication skills is also key. Whether you’re coaching in the gym or providing nutrition advice, being able to engage and educate athletes effectively will make a big difference in how well they respond to your guidance.
Additionally, be adaptable and open to learning from different disciplines. Whether it’s understanding how physiotherapy integrates with S&C or how nutrition influences performance, taking a broad perspective will make you a more well-rounded practitioner.
Lastly, make connections and learn from those around you. The relationships you build during this internship could be valuable for future job opportunities, mentorship and ongoing professional development.
