AFC Bournemouth players and staff visited Bournemouth University to talk to students and staff about adapting to change ahead of this year's BU Big Match.
Men’s players Marcos Senesi and Ryan Christie were joined by women’s player Gemma McGuinness, women’s manager Steve Cuss and club legend Steve Fletcher to talk to incoming international students about what it is like to move to a new area, settling into a new culture, and adapting to change.
The event took place during arrivals week for students, mostly international, joining BU in January 2024. Students, as well as BU staff, heard from the players as they talked about their own experiences of moving to Bournemouth after signing for the Cherries, and gave advice on how to adapt quickly to a new environment. Club staff spoke about the support the Club gives to help players settle.
Ryan Christie joined AFC Bournemouth from Celtic and spoke about what it can be like to join a new club. He said, “It is easier for some people than it is others but the quicker you get to know people around you, the quicker you start feeling at home, and build a support network to help settle you and make you feel like you belong”.
Defender Marcos Senesi moved from Argentina to the Netherlands and then Bournemouth and spoke about learning the language and the support of South American players to help him settle. He said, “Here in Bournemouth you can walk by the beach, or go to a forest, and do your hobbies, you will soon start to get a group [of friends]”.
Gemma McGuinness joined the AFC Bournemouth women’s team from her home in Ireland. She works alongside her football career and spoke to students about balancing work and life as a footballer. She said, “If you need to speak to someone, don’t be afraid to ask for help, I’ve held back from that a lot of times in my life but coming here now and trying to embrace the new challenge, there is always someone who can offer a helping hand.”
The players were also interviewed by BU sports journalism students, giving a wonderful development opportunity to students as a part of their studies. The event ended with a discussion about the current fortunes of both the men’s and women’s teams and hopes for the rest of the season.
BU student Callum Crompton said, “It’s not every day you get the chance to interview Premier League footballers and I’m very grateful for the opportunity. The event topic of adapting to change is one that will hit home to many including myself so to be able to ask footballers about their experience moving to Bournemouth was a real privilege. All the players were very polite and willing to discuss their differing experiences moving to the south coast.”
Bournemouth University is the official higher education partner of AFC Bournemouth, a partnership that is now in its 11th year. Each year, the partnership is celebrated through the BU Big Match, one matchday in the AFC Bournemouth calendar. This year the BU Big Match takes place vs Manchester City with a range of BU activity taking place before and during the game.
For more information about the partnership between Bournemouth University and AFC Bournemouth, visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/afc-bournemouth.
