Ryan Martin, Youth Development Coach and Sports Scientist at Aberdeen Football Club, recently completed the UKSCA Strength & Conditioning Trainer Qualification with Athlete Focused. We spoke to Ryan about his role, why he chose this course and how it’s shaping his approach to developing young athletes.

 

Q: Can you tell us about your current role at Aberdeen and what a typical day looks like?

I’m the Youth Academy Sports Scientist at Aberdeen FC, working with players from under-9s to under-17s on athletic development and S&C. My day starts with planning and monitoring training loads, then delivery begins when the Academy players arrive in the afternoon.

Younger groups focus on movement skills like coordination and agility, while older players have structured S&C sessions indoors. Later, I work on football-specific drills such as speed and change of direction. Managing training loads and preparing players for match days is a big part of my role. It’s busy, but seeing their progress makes it worthwhile.

 

Q: What motivated you to enrol in the UKSCA Trainer course with Athlete Focused?

I wanted to strengthen my S&C skill set and make sure I was delivering the best possible support to athletes. While I already had a strong foundation from my degree, I knew that the UKSCA is one of the most recognised organisations in the industry. Completing this course felt like the right step to improve my knowledge and progress towards full accreditation.

 

Q: What was your background before taking the course?

I studied Sport Science at university, which gave me a solid grounding in areas like athlete monitoring, biomechanics and S&C. During my degree, I delivered gym-based sessions both one-to-one and in groups, which helped me develop practical coaching skills.

After graduating, I wanted to keep building on that foundation. When I saw Athlete Focused’s UKSCA-accredited Trainer course, it felt like the perfect next step to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and applied practice in an elite environment.

 

Q: Why did you choose Athlete Focused as your course provider?

I’d seen others take the course and knew it was a stepping stone towards full UKSCA accreditation. When I spoke to Andy from Athlete Focused, he explained the content and how relevant it would be to my role.

For me, it wasn’t just about passing an assessment but developing skills I could apply immediately. Andy’s experience and the way he broke down the course made me feel confident that this was the right choice.

 

Q: How did you find the tutor support and feedback?

It was excellent. Andy and Jonny were always on hand to answer questions and give advice. They didn’t just stick to the course content, they offered insights that helped me improve my delivery in real-world settings.

One example that stands out was when I was working through the 12-week block with an athlete. Andy gave me tips on how to make small adjustments that made a big difference. That kind of feedback is invaluable because it’s tailored to your real-life role and your goals.

 

Q: Which part of the course had the biggest impact on your learning?

The 12-week block where you take an athlete through a full programme. It allowed me to apply theory in a practical setting, track progress and see real improvements.

Being able to plan, deliver and review a structured block gave me confidence in my programming and helped me understand how to adapt sessions for different needs. Seeing the pre and post-test results reinforced the value of what we were doing.

 

Q: How quickly were you able to apply what you learned?

Almost immediately. The course content was so relevant that I could integrate new ideas into my sessions straight away. Even small tweaks like refining my cues or adjusting progressions made a noticeable difference.

Because I was working full-time while studying, I could apply what I learned in real time. That’s one of the biggest strengths of this course, it’s practical and designed to fit alongside your role.

 

Q: Was it manageable alongside a full-time role?

Definitely. The course is well-paced, with enough time between sessions to complete work without feeling overwhelmed. The assignments are structured so you can take your time and produce quality work.

Because the content is so relevant to your day-to-day role, it just feels like an extension of what you’re already doing rather than something separate. That makes it much easier to balance.

 

Q: What sets Athlete Focused apart as a provider?

The personal support. Andy and Johnny are genuinely invested in your development and give honest feedback and practical advice that helps you improve, not just pass the course.

They also make themselves available even after the course, which is great for ongoing development. Having that network is invaluable.

 

Q: What are the biggest benefits for someone considering this UKSCA course?

It’s a recognised qualification that adds real value to your career, whether you’re starting out or already established. The content covers everything from working with general populations to elite athletes, so it’s versatile and practical.

If you want to progress in S&C or sport science, this is a great step. It gives you confidence, credibility and skills you can apply straight away.

 

Thinking about taking your next step in Strength & Conditioning?

The UKSCA-accredited Level 3 Strength & Conditioning Diploma with Athlete Focused is designed to give you the skills, confidence, and credibility to deliver at the highest level. Sign-ups for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Northern Ireland and Central, Tayside and Fife are now open here.