Rachel

From dissecting diets to directing drills, Rachel Mair has had numerous passions in life – and hasn’t let anything stand in her way of pursuing them all.

Having graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Nutrition, Rachel is now carving an impressive dual career as a Dietic Support Worker at NHS Haymires Hospital and an Academy Football Coach at Glasgow City Football Club.

Rachel has been coaching young footballers since she was 16, so she couldn’t imagine leaving the pitch behind when she enrolled to study Applied Nutrition at Glasgow Caledonian.

However, in the third year of her studies, Rachel faced a particularly difficult period in her personal life, which left her in a position where she feared she would have to drop out of University to seek full-time work – until she reached out to the GCU Foundation for help.

“The scholarship really, really was a turning point in my life. It took me from such a dark time to such a really high time.

“In that dark time of my life, I had no support. I felt that I was alone. I felt I was stuck. I was lost, financially struggling and financially stressed.

“So, I took the opportunity to reach out for help and go 'I need support here', and I was granted a scholarship.

“Getting that scholarship just showcased that if you actually ask for help and you just take yourself out of your comfort zone, you will get the help. And, you do, therefore, trust people.

“It then allowed me to create new opportunities and create a new network of people in the University. And I feel lucky because it's given me opportunities and means I can share my story with other people and other students as well.”

Rachel stayed in contact with the Foundation, and was encouraged to apply for a Magnus Magnusson Award, which she was successful in achieving.

The award funded her UEFA B license, which led to Rachel being selected as one of just seven candidates from 100 applicants in the Scottish FA’s Elite Coach Development Programme.

“I was very shocked when I got into it, but I got into it out of merit. The course has been an incredible experience.

“It's excelled my football knowledge massively. It's also just excelled my football network. I have a lot more people in my football network, and I can reach out to a lot more people and help. I've learnt so much tactically, mentally, myself as well, and how I am as a coach and where I actually want to be in football.

“That's kind of changed from where I was previously last year to now. I have a clearer idea of where I want to be in football if I do decide to go down that pathway.”