University graduate aims to give children a sporting chance

A mum-of-three is using her passion for sport to help children lead happier and healthier lives after graduating from the University of Staffordshire.

Stacie Chorlton-Lythgoe (pictured) worked in the NHS before deciding to return to education.

After studying BSc (Hons) Physical Education and Youth Sport Coaching, she moved on to an MSc Applied Research degree at University of Staffordshire.

The 35-year-old from Bentilee said: “I worked on a gastro and liver ward. We have a lot of people coming in who are poorly and I wanted to do something that was proactive as opposed to reactive.

“I was always interested in sport, so I wanted to use that as a catalyst to be able to help people, sooner. To do something that was an intervention rather than a treatment.”

During her studies, Stacie volunteered with the University’s Sports Academy, delivering physical activity and classroom-based workshops to young people in schools and the community.

After completing her undergraduate degree with first class honours, Stacie realised that she wanted to aim higher.

She said: “I just knew I wanted to make a difference to the children and residents of Stoke-on-Trent. At the beginning I thought, great I'll go to uni, I'll become a teacher and I'll be able to make a difference.

“It wasn't until I understood higher education a little bit more, the requirements of research and its importance that I thought, actually, I'm not going be able to achieve what I want to just from an undergraduate degree.”

Stacie’s research explored the benefits of having specialist sports teachers in primary schools on children's levels of competence and enjoyment of physical education.

She continued: “Going back to my role in healthcare, a lot of what I saw was people suffering with stress, anxiety, depression, obesity.

“I wanted to be able to educate children younger to do something that is preventative. So for me, that's where the research came in.

“I'm exceedingly passionate because I've got children of my own.

“I don't want my children not knowing how to deal with what life throws at them. And that's not just overeating or not knowing how to deal with stress from school. It's knowing how to deal with other people's opinions of yourself, how to be able to communicate effectively, how to work as part of a team.

“Things that they can carry through into their everyday life. And those traits are learned through sport.”

Stacie is now continuing her work as a part-time lecturer at the University. Graduating this month, Stacie delivered a speech to hundreds of fellow graduates and guests at Kings Hall in Stoke, reflecting on her journey.