Ben Cheatham – BSc (Hons) Sport Development and Coaching

My name is Ben Cheatham and I studied Sport Development and Coaching at Lincoln from 2014 to 2017. After graduating, I moved to Stirling, Scotland to begin a master’s degree in Sports Management. The course attracted students from many places around the world, opening my eyes to the depth and significance that sport has around the globe. The experience solidified my desire to move abroad. Since starting at the University of Lincoln, I knew I wanted to explore, re-locate and immerse myself in new cultures.

Six months into my masters, I began researching employment abroad, including Abu Dhabi, New Zealand and Germany. I came across a job listing via the British Gymnastics website. A club in North Vancouver, Canada was hiring for a program co-ordinator. Due to my Gymnastics coaching experience, I thought there was no harm in applying. The next morning, the executive director reached out and scheduled a zoom call. After a successful interview, he offered me the position. This was a huge decision. However, the club were offering a sponsored visa and assistance with the application process. 24 hours after applying, I accepted the offer and began planning for this exciting adventure.

As a program co-ordinator, I spent a year honing my coaching skills and, implementing a training program for young professionals interested in coaching. It was a vital turning point in my professional career. While I worked and volunteered for many sport organisations as a student, full-time employment took time to adapt to. However, I was surrounded by an inviting and kind

team. It was their approachability that made my first year in Canada smooth and successful. I remain close with those colleagues and continually share ideas with them, nonetheless, I moved onto a bigger challenge in 2019.

A Gymnastics club south of Vancouver were looking for an Operations Manager. After meeting with the owners, I realised that the club and I shared common values. This was an organisation I would be proud to commit to on a long-term basis. They had an athlete-centered, inclusive approach and above all, treated members and employees with the highest regard. 4 years in the role has included navigating through Covid-19, expanding our team and increasing our community outreach. I oversea the delivery of our recreational programming and co-ordinate the professional development of our coaches and administrative team. Over 2000 children are enrolled between two locations, focussing on physical, cognitive, and social development.

We are currently hiring and would be thrilled for University of Lincoln students to schedule a zoom meeting to discuss potential employment opportunities after graduation. We have full-time and part-time opportunities for those with and without Gymnastics experience. We are also available to support visa applications and answer any questions that candidates have. Please find a link to our employment page below. Resumes can be submitted to teamleaders@splitzgymnastics.com https://www.splitzgymnastics.com/about-us/join-our-team/