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Nathan Cobb

Senior Lecturer

School of Science & Technology

Staff Group(s)
Sport

Role

Dr Nathan Cobb is a Senior Lecturer in Performance Analysis within the Department of Sport Science. He is Module Leader for the Level 5 Observational Analysis for Sport module. He also contributes to the MRes Performance Analysis programme.

Career overview

After graduating from the University of Sunderland in 2010 (BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences), Nathan went on to complete his Masters in Performance Analysis at NTU (MRes Sport Science (Performance Analysis)), before embarking upon a collaborative PhD between Staffordshire University and Stoke City Football Club while working as an Academy Performance Analyst. His PhD utilised Performance Analysis methodologies to track and evaluate the efficacy of the Academy's coaching methodology, along with exploring the influence of developmental activities engaged in by the Academy players outside of their Academy coaching hours. Nathan moved into academia in 2015, and joined NTU in 2020 after writing and delivering Performance Analysis modules on degree programmes at Brooksby Melton College and West Notts College.

Research areas

Nathan is part of the Sport Performance Research Group, within the Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement Research Centre. His research interests are:

  • The development of talented youth motor racing drivers.
  • The development of talented youth Footballers.
  • The use of Performance Analysis methodologies in measuring/tracking skill acquisition and development.
  • The creation and development of context-specific Performance Analysis methodologies.

Nathan has worked with numerous professional football clubs to conduct research projects tailored to the club's specific playing philosophy across both senior and academy domains.

Opportunities arise to carry out postgraduate research towards an MPhil / PhD in the areas identified above. Further information may be obtained on the NTU Research Degrees website.

External activity

Nathan is a member of the International Society of Performance Analysis of Sport and currently holds Level 3 accreditation. He is currently working with Motorsport UK to develop evidence-informed talent pathways for their academy programmes. He has previously worked with Mansfield Town Football Club's Academy to develop the Performance Analysis provision, along with developing bespoke work placement curricula for undergraduate and postgraduate students to gain meaningful applied experience.

Nathan is also an external examiner for the University of East London and has reviewed manuscripts for:

  • Journal of Sports Sciences
  • BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • Sports Coaching Review

Sponsors and collaborators

Dr Cobb is currently working with the following organisations to conduct various research projects:

  • Motorsport UK
  • Jota Sport
  • Mansfield Town Football Club

He has also previously worked with:

  • Stoke City Football Club
  • Sheffield United Football Club
  • New York Red Bulls Football Club

Publications

Cobb, N. M., Unnithan, V., & McRobert, A. P. (2018). The validity, objectivity, and reliability of a soccer-specific behaviour measurement tool. Science and Medicine in Football2(3), 196-202.

See all of Nathan Cobb's publications...