On track for career success
When you ask David Fallon, the new Head of Development for scottishathletics, about his most important career decisions, he immediately takes you back to his choice to study at UWS.
David graduated with first class honours from our Sport Development programme in 2013 and since then his career has gone from strength to strength. “The course is specifically aligned to a career path,” says David. “After graduating, I was equipped with the skills and knowledge that have allowed me to be successful in the field I studied.”
And what a success David has made of his career since graduating! David credits the University for their support in landing a graduate job at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. After this fixed term opportunity, David landed a role at Scottish Squash as a Regional Development Manager for the West of Scotland and rose to the position of Head of Development within the organisation.
“UWS were directly responsible for my first step into employment in sport, something I will be eternally grateful for.”
In May 2021, David continued his incredible rise, starting a new role with scottishathletics as Head of Development. scottishathletics is the national governing body for athletics in Scotland, made up of around 150 athletics clubs, offering opportunities for people of all ages to try out, train, embrace and compete in the various disciplines of athletics – and at all standards all the way to Olympic and Commonwealth Games levels.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have joined such a great organisation and team at scottishathletics. Athletics is such a broad and accessible sport and the organisation has demonstrated tremendous and consistent growth, but also equal growth. It really is amazing to see the gender balance and equality in the scottishathletics membership.”
So, what was it about the UWS experience that David feels prepared him for his career success?
“The academic staff at UWS inspired me, challenged me, and really developed me as a person and as an academic. We had loads, and I mean loads of contact time with our lecturers and academics – we never felt like an inconvenience.”
David would thoroughly recommend the Sport Development course at UWS to anyone considering a career in sport and is actually envious of students studying at our new Lanarkshire Campus.
“At UWS, you will have an amazing experience, where you will feel valued and respected. I’m completely jealous of the new facilities at Lanarkshire Campus – I have visited a few times and it really is fantastic.”
Find out more about our BSc (Hons) Sport Development programme here
Last updated: 01/02/2024