University of Hertfordshire features in the 50 years of the PFA Awards book
Herts Institute of Sport has been featured in a new book being published to mark the half-century of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards.
50 Years of the PFA Awards, authored by renowned football writer Harry Harris, twice winner of the British Sports Journalist of the Year award, has been produced in partnership with St James’s House and the PFA.
Chartering the evolution of the beautiful game over the past five decades, it includes exclusive interviews with some of the greatest names in the sport, past and present, and highlights the continued, wide-ranging impact of the PFA’s work.
It also features a segment on the role played by Herts to help athletes excel, and how the University has – and continues – to nurture some of the country’s most distinguished talent.
The book highlights how Herts has introduced advanced concepts of performance enhancement at its cutting-edge facilities in the Institute of Sport, playing a key role in the development of competitive sport. Working with many elite men’s and women’s clubs for the past 20 years, it has become the destination of choice particularly for elite women players, with many of the biggest names in the country having come through the programme.
Jenny Jones, Subject Group Lead for the Institute of Sport, University of Hertfordshire, said:
“It’s been a real pleasure to work with St James’ House on this project this year. The Institute of Sport works closely with many professional football clubs and we are very proud to be featured in the 50 Years of the PFA Awards publication, where we have the chance to reflect on our story in football to date.”
The PFA Awards ceremony is widely recognised as the most coveted individual accolade in English football. Its 50th edition took place on 29 August at the Lowry Theatre in Manchester, and hosted esteemed athletes including broadcaster and former Lioness Alex Scott MBE, who holds an honorary doctorate from Herts. Top names including Erling Haarland, Lauren James, Jill Scott and Bukayo Saka also attended the event to receive awards.
Find out more about the Institute of Sport, and its innovative programmes and facilities, by visiting the University of Hertfordshire website.