Meet our new performance analyst: Alex Jenkins
By Ray Simpson
New addition to the staff
Darlington Fc are pleased to announce that Alex Jenkins has joined us a performance analyst.
Alex was recommended to us by new manager Josh Gowling, and he was on the balcony with his data analysis equipment for last Saturday's game with Gloucester. He will now be attending every home and away game, providing analysis for Josh during and after games.
"At 19 I attended Cardiff Metropolitan University, studying BSc (Hons) Sports Performance Analysis," said Alex. "During my studies I gained a greater understanding of what an analyst does day to day increasing my knowledge, skills and experience, this lead me into my first role within the field at Monmouth Town FC, who played in the Welsh leagues. This position played a crucial role in my development of analysis, but also showed to me the importance of building relationships with members of staff and players.
"Also during this period of time, an opportunity to work for a company called Insight Analysis came about, furthering previous skills as we were required to collect in-depth individual player data for the FIFA Club World Cup 2019.
"This had a huge impact on my confidence and what I knew I was able to deliver. By the time I was graduating, this company had joined with Fifa and had asked me to become a FIFA Football Analyst, which has been my role up to and still to this day.
"However, before I started this role, I had already enrolled myself onto MSc Professional Practice (Sports Performance Analysis). This course required me to work at a football club to gain experience to become more active within this job role. Working for my local club was something I was interested in, therefore I reached out to Josh Gowling at Hereford.
"Over the course of the first season our dedication to the growth of the team was evident, as we both were able to achieve a great working relationship and finishing the season by reaching the FA Trophy Final at Wembley, creating everlasting memories.
"More recently, I received my UEFA B License in Football Coaching, which has given me extensive knowledge about the coaching process and how it can link into analysis, being able to link the two areas allows for and creates a more competent and affective analysis.
"This brings me up to now, as more recently I was contacted by Josh in regards to a possible position at Darlington FC. Once hearing about the potential of joining the club and project placed before me, it was an opportunity I could not turn down.
"I am again looking forward to working with Josh and joining this great football club.
"To condense what my role will be within the team as a Performance Analyst, my roles will include:
- Opposition Analysis
- In Game (Live) Analysis
- Post Match Analysis
- Individual Player Analysis
- Set Plays
- Recruitment
- Training Ground Analysis
"This will allow us to extensively research the opposition using both video and data analysis in order to help support the coaches and player prepare for fixtures. Allowing us as a team to identify strengths and weaknesses to help formulate a game plan.
"Provide live match insights which can be directly delivered to the bench, allowing for key messages to be distributed to players. Immediate feedback to be delivered at half time, which could potentially influence tactical decisions.
"Post Match analysis will focus on how our team has performed in relation to the game plan, have we followed our key principles and what areas we have been successful in during the game. Whilst also referring to areas to develop which can shape how training will look in the coming sessions."
We'd like to welcome Alex to the club, and wish him all the best during his stay with us.
