Sophie Mackintosh

What are you doing now?

I work at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club as a nutritionist for the women's first team. I started at the club in October 2022 as a Junior Nutritionist with the boy’s academy, mainly providing education and support to the U9-16s. At the start of this season, I transitioned to work across the boy's academy and women's first teams. And now, for the upcoming 2024–25 season, I am transitioning to a full-time role with the women's first team.

What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

Working 1-1 with players and implementing nutrition strategies you read or learned about in an applied setting is great. I have also recently started to understand and get creative with catering innovation, working closely with our chefs and other nutritionists to make different recipes, menus and snacks. Match days are also super fun to be a part of! I am fortunate to work with a big team of experienced nutritionists, so collaborating with and learning from all of them is also a great aspect of my job.

Why did you choose the University of Westminster?

I chose the University of Westminster because it offered a course accredited by two important governing bodies: the Association for Nutrition (AfN) for general nutrition and the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr) for sports nutrition. This meant that I would have the opportunity to specialise in sports nutrition while receiving comprehensive training to become a well-rounded nutritionist.

How did you find your experience studying in London?

Studying in London was a great experience. Having grown up just outside London, I was provided with the best of both worlds – living at home and easily travelling into the city and enjoying everything it offers. Additionally, London offers numerous opportunities in the sports world, which allowed me to secure a relevant internship alongside my studies.

What did you particularly enjoy about your course?

One aspect I particularly enjoyed about my course is the good balance between practical and theoretical sessions. This allowed me to learn and put relevant skills into practice. Furthermore, being mixed with other nutrition master students and having areas focused on public health nutrition broadened my knowledge alongside my performance nutrition specialism.

How did you find academic support as part of your studies?

The academic support during my studies was excellent. The lecturers were always available and happy to provide support for any questions or queries I had. They were particularly helpful in guiding me through my research project, offering great guidance on maximising the data I collected.

What was the best aspect of being a University of Westminster student?

The best aspect of being a University of Westminster student, at least for my course, was the friendly community feel we had in our lectures, seminars, and practical sessions. Being a smaller group, our course size helped to create a supportive and valued environment.

What advice would you offer someone considering a career in your field?

Get as much experience as possible while studying; you always have something valuable to give! I messaged around and got an internship with West Ham Women's Academy, providing sports science and nutrition support, which hugely helped me secure my current role. Also, aim to expand your network – message other sports nutritionists on LinkedIn and ask about their experience and for any advice, and try to attend some conferences; these are a great way to increase your knowledge and expand your connections.