Internship at IK Start gave sports student top-club experience

Given responsibility on international tour

When IK Start G19 travelled to the Netherlands to face FC Utrecht, AZ Alkmaar and TOP Oss, a UiA student was part of the support staff.

Abdullah Zafar, a master’s student in sport science at the University of Agder, was responsible for match analysis throughout the trip.

– When I was asked to join, it was an easy answer. Having the opportunity to travel with the team is a big deal, and it shows the trust they have in me and the work I do, says Zafar.

During the matches, he coded the game live on his laptop. This involved logging key events and situations, and preparing video clips that the coaches could use at halftime and after the match.

– His work during and after each match ensured that the video clips were ready for coaches and players before the next game. It strengthened both preparation and feedback, says Siôn Rowlands, Head of Coaching & Methodology at IK Start.

From theory to practice

The internship scheme between UiA and IK Start was established in 2025 and is growing. Students from the one-year programme in sport, the bachelor’s degree in sport, and the master’s degree in sport science can apply for specific roles within the club.

So far, around 20 students have been involved. The scope varies depending on schedules and capacity.

At the club, students work with areas such as coach analysis, sports science, strength and endurance training, load monitoring technology, and holistic and nutritional follow-up of players.

– The idea is that students should see the applied side of what they learn. While they receive theory in lectures, they get to see how it is put into practice with us. At the same time, we hope the fresh perspectives and energy the students bring will also help develop us as a club, says Rowlands.

He emphasizes that students are given real responsibility – not just observation roles.

– The academic and theoretical side must go hand in hand with the practical side. You need both to become a good athlete or professional. For us, it is important to give students genuine responsibility.

Analysing the coaches

Zafar began his bachelor’s degree in sport in Kristiansand in 2021 and completed it in 2024. Continuing with a master’s degree felt like a natural choice.

– The main reason was that I wanted to specialise further after my bachelor’s degree. The entire programme was so engaging that I wanted to continue. In addition, I have developed a strong connection to Kristiansand and the friends I have made here, he says.

In spring 2025, he noticed an announcement on Canvas about an internship at IK Start. The fact that it involved football – his own sport – and the largest club in the region made the decision easy.

In his daily work, he analyses coaches’ behaviour during training sessions. Audio recordings from the sessions are reviewed afterwards to assess what is said and how it is communicated, forming the basis for coach development.

– The programme has had a holistic perspective on both athletes and coaches, which has helped me a lot. Especially the courses on coaching behaviour and supervision have been important in the role I have now, he says.

Over time, he has taken on greater responsibility, including contributing to the development of the club’s analysis programme in close dialogue with Rowlands. He has also been given responsibility for match analysis for the G19 team.

“He has raised our level”

Rowlands describes Zafar’s development as clear.

– Since he started at IK Start, Abdullah has been outstanding. He has shown a high level of professionalism and has raised the standard of what we do. We have given him opportunities and guidance, but he has also given us a lot. We are very fortunate to have him, he says.

He also highlights Zafar’s ability to turn data into practical value.

– It is not just about using a computer. It is about analysing a match and providing meaningful information to players and coaches.

According to Rowlands, UiA students are invaluable to the club.

– Many of them have solid knowledge. They enable us to do more, explore more, and offer more to our players. When trust is built, we give them space and freedom to try new ideas.

Strengthening the link to working life

At the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, the goal is to strengthen the connection between studies and working life.

– In our sport programmes at UiA, we actively work to strengthen the link to working life. The internship scheme with IK Start helps build a bridge between theory and practice by allowing students to apply and further develop their skills in an elite sports environment, says Martin Kjeøen Erikstad, Associate Professor at UiA and contact person for the collaboration with IK Start.

He points out that the experience students gain is difficult to fully recreate on campus.

– Students get to see and experience the standards and demands of elite sports environments. This insight is difficult to gain through lectures and theoretical work alone. Combined with the academic foundation they develop through their studies, they are better prepared for a future career in performance development in sport.

For Zafar, the experience has already been highly significant.

– I have learned how the development of young players works in practice, and how much work is done off the field. I have also gained knowledge of different analysis systems used in many places. It means a lot to me going forward in my career.

His ambition is clear: he wants to work in football – as an analyst, coach, or in another role – or more broadly within sport.

To new students, he has a clear message:

– Take advantage of opportunities like this to gain practical experience. It is incredibly valuable. Applying the theory you learn during your studies will help you both during your time as a student and later in your career.

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A chance to gain experience during your studies

For UiA, the internship scheme is about more than individual stories.

It demonstrates how studies in sport can provide access to professional environments, real responsibility, and experience that strengthens both academic development and career opportunities.

For applicants to the one-year programme in sport, the bachelor’s degree in sport, or the master’s degree in sport science, such collaborations are an important part of the whole: education that combines academic depth with practical experience.

The story of Abdullah Zafar is one example of what can be possible when theory and practice meet – and when students are trusted to contribute in an elite sports environment.