Year 1 Sport and Exercise Science students have recently experienced an animal handling session at the Animal Management Centre at the Cannington campus. The experience was linked in with their Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology unit, where students develop their knowledge on aspects such as motivation, team dynamics, confidence, stress and anxiety. The students were able to handle a range of animals including snakes, birds of prey, lizards and a tarantula. Following the session the students had a theory session on anxiety, where they were able to link this experience to further their understanding of how anxiety can impact sporting performance. The staff at the Animal Management Centre put on a fantastic experience, which all students thoroughly enjoyed.

Sport and Exercise Science Student Jasmin Lock said:

It was a fascinating experience and a good bonding opportunity for our course, it also helped us fully understand elements of our curriculum in a creative and practical way!

Course Leader for Sport and Exercise Science Alex Leach said:

We are extremely lucky to have a first-class facility like the animal management centre at Bridgwater and Taunton College. The aim of the session was to contextualise the learning experience for the students, enabling them to link practice to theory and further their understanding of the impact of Psychology on sporting performance. I would like to thank the staff at the Animal Management Centre for accommodating us and for putting on such a fantastic experience for the students, this is definitely something that they will always remember. I would also like to give a special mention to the technicians that led the sessions, Gemma and Oscar. Their professionalism and knowledge contributed to the first-rate experience of the day.