Keele graduate scores dream role with professional football club
Just three months after tossing his graduation cap in the air at Keele University, Cade Leonard has already begun a dream career at a professional football club, where he is helping to boost the team’s performance on the pitch.
Cade, aged 23, has taken up the position of First Team Strength and Conditioning Coach at Eastleigh FC, who compete in the National League, the fifth tier of the English football league system.
In his role, Cade is responsible for designing and delivering comprehensive strength and conditioning programmes aimed at boosting players' athletic performance and minimising injury risk. He works closely with the first-team squad and coaching staff to develop players’ strength, speed, agility and endurance, while also leading warm-up sessions before training and on matchdays.
Alongside performance enhancement, Cade also plays a key role in overseeing injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies to keep players fit and match-ready throughout the season.
Cade, who graduated with a first-class honours degree in Rehabilitation and Exercise Science in July, said: "I remember in my first week at Keele, everybody was asked where they wanted to work after they graduated, and most people, me included, mentioned football. So, to be here now means I am literally working in my dream career, and I’m loving every minute of it."
Before he had even graduated, Cade secured an internship with the Hampshire-based club as a Sports Scientist for the 2025/26 season, following a successful interview. His professionalism and strong work ethic quickly made an impression, and when the previous First Team Strength and Conditioning Coach moved on to a new role, Cade was offered the opportunity to step up into the position.
"The club has been brilliant to me, and I'm so glad I accepted the internship," said Cade, who grew up near Blackburn.
"I'm still young and I feel like I’m learning so much every day, not just from working alongside the staff here but also the players. Some of them have played at Championship level before and they have so much experience, and I take in as much information as possible from them."
Cade admits he was initially uncertain about going to university, but now credits Keele - and his degree - with having a lasting impact on both his personal development, confidence and his career.
He said: "The university and course helped me gain knowledge, understanding and confidence to take the next step in my career. I was unsure about going to university at first, but now I'm so glad that I did and I wouldn't be where I am without it. I developed as a person at Keele, and the version of me who left was very different to the one who arrived.
"The course and lessons were always so engaging but the best thing was always the lecturers, who were so supportive and easy to talk to, and always on hand to help. It was a brilliant environment to be educated in, and what I learnt at Keele is essential to the job I’m doing now. The additional qualifications you can gain at Keele were also priceless, from my personal trainer and gym instructor qualifications to a Microsoft Office course - all of that has helped me massively.
"I'm incredibly grateful to the club and the staff for trusting me with this responsibility, and everybody at Keele who has played a part in my journey so far.”
