Students team up with Falkirk FC in new partnership

Sports performance students at Heriot-Watt University are getting the chance to trade the classroom for the football pitch as part of a new partnership with Falkirk FC.

Both institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to a two-year collaboration to merge academic and professional sport expertise.

This partnership grants Falkirk FC access to Heriot-Watt’s cutting-edge Sport Science Laboratory facilities, where player performance can be analysed using advanced exercise testing and movement analysis techniques, and body composition assessed by gold standard imaging methods.

In return, Heriot-Watt students will gain real-world experience in sport and exercise science, applying their skills to tasks such as player conditioning, match performance analysis, and injury prevention.

A key component of the agreement is to provide placement and research opportunities at the Club for third and fourth-year students studying for a BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science. They will learn directly from coaches, sports scientists, and club staff to understand the strategies and techniques involved in elite performance and player development.

Leading the MoU on behalf of Heriot-Watt University is Chris Easton, Professor of Exercise Physiology at theSchool of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society.

He welcomed the signing of the MoU and is looking forward to optimising the performance levels at Falkirk FC.

Chris said: “Through this exciting partnership with Falkirk FC, our students will gain invaluable, hands-on experience in a real-world sports environment, where they can apply the principles they learn in the classroom directly to player development and performance analysis.

“This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to producing industry-ready graduates, and we’re thrilled to offer our students an opportunity to learn from and contribute to a leading football club.

“By bringing together Heriot-Watt’s academic strengths in sport science with Falkirk FC’s expertise on the field, we’re setting the foundation for a powerful exchange of knowledge that will benefit both our students and the club.”

With Falkirk FC currently topping the Championship and aiming for a Premiership return, this partnership arrives at an opportune time for the club to leverage scientific support for player performance.

The MoU is not the only link between the University and Falkirk FC in recent times. In October, the Club signed a new centre-forward, Barney Stewart, from Heriot-Watt University Football Club. Barney has been loaned back to the University squad until January after which time he will move to Falkirk under contract until June 2027.

Blair Doughty, Head of Physical Performance at Falkirk FC, added: “This partnership has the potential of huge benefit for both Falkirk FC and Heriot-Watt University.

“The University share the same values and vision to help improve performance which is something we look for in a strategic partner. The access to cutting-edge Sport Science Laboratory facilities will be of great value to the performance department as we seek to provide a best-in-class performance services for our players to give them the tools needed to perform at the highest level.

“As well as facilities another benefit of this partnership is the ability to keep up to date with the latest research developments helping inform best practise and also develop our own process and frameworks to push performance both for the First Team and Academy.

“Lastly, this partnership will help Heriot Watt develop their students into industry ready candidates and allows us to shape the practitioners of the future. Through learning and seeing firsthand the work done at Falkirk Football Club”

To find out more about Heriot-Watt’s BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science programme visit the website.

Football fans raise funds in memory of former player David Hagen

Football supporters dig deep in memory of one of their heroes

Supporters of Falkirk Football Club, and those of other clubs across Scotland, have come together to pay their respects to former player David Hagen who sadly passed away last month after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided.

David Hagen played with Rangers, Hearts, Falkirk, Livingston, Clyde, Peterhead and Bo’ness United.

As part of Falkirk’s regular 50/50 draw, supporters raised £3267 for MND Scotland to support the charity to fund vital research and support services for those affected by MND.

David began his footballing career locally in Falkirk before earning big moves in the senior game to Rangers and Hearts respectively. He joined Falkirk, and was a popular figure among the fans with a notable assist for Paul McGrillen in the 1997 Scottish Cup Semi-Final win against Celtic. David played 173 games for Falkirk over five years before continuing his career with Livingston, Clyde, Peterhead and Bo’ness United.

David’s Former Manager Alex Totten, along with his daughter Rhia Hagen presented a cheque to MND Scotland’s Chief Executive Craig Stockton.

Falkirk FC’s Commercial Director Kieran Koszary said: “The backing shown by Falkirk supporters, and those of other clubs, is a great testament to how highly David was thought of by everyone who knew him.

“We were grateful for the opportunity to pay our respects as his funeral cortege passed the Falkirk Stadium but also to make this donation to MND Scotland. We know the charity will work tirelessly on behalf of people like David and to support others affected by this terrible condition.”

Former Falkirk Manager Alex Totten said: “David fought a courageous fight against MND and will forever be remembered by everyone associated with the club. He was a good friend and a fantastic footballer and he’ll be greatly missed by his family but also by the friends he made along the way in his football career.

“The memories I have of David in the Challenge Cup Final against Queen of the South and his inspired performances in the 1997 run to the Scottish Cup Final will never leave me. He will be sorely missed.”

Accepting a cheque on behalf of the charity, MND Scotland’s Chief Executive Craig Stockton said: “We very grateful for this extremely generous donation and I would like to everyone who helped raise such a fantastic amount.

“Without supporters like this, we would not be able to continue providing essential physical, financial and emotional support to families affected by MND across Scotland, or fund cutting-edge research to find a cure.

“This is a wonderful tribute to David. During times like these, people with MND and their loved ones need us more than ever, so these funds will go towards helping us stay connected to families to ensure no one goes through MND alone.”