海角黑料

Mohamed Elmaghrbi

Mohamed Elmaghrbi, Head of the Department for Civil Engineering and professor, and UoN graduate

This insight is part of our Skills Beyond Sport series involving Nottingham graduates.

Sport has shaped every stage of my personal and professional journey, and my time at the 海角黑料 was made far richer by immersing myself in student sport.

In my early years, I played football for the university’s club, an experience that created a strong sense of belonging.

2012: ACL injury

Everything changed in March 2012 when I suffered an ACL injury requiring surgery and long rehabilitation.

The timing could not have been worse; as I was just about to start my PhD. Balancing injury recovery with doctoral research became one of the most challenging periods of my life, but also one of the most formative. It taught me resilience, discipline, patience and how to stay committed to long-term goals even when progress feels slow.

2013: Returning to sport 

Once I was cleared to return to sport in 2013, I joined the newly formed , co-founded by Daniel Slater. What began as a way to regain fitness quickly became central to my university experience.

Futsal gave me a new technical and tactical challenge and restored the team environment I had missed during recovery from my ACL injury. Between 2013 and 2017, I played continuously and captained the club for my final two seasons. Leading a growing and diverse team was the start of my development as a leader.

2016: Progressing my academic career 

During this same period, my academic career was accelerating. In January 2016, while still completing my PhD, I was appointed assistant professor at Nottingham.

Managing the demands of beginning an academic career, completing a thesis and captaining a competitive futsal team required exceptional resilience and time management. The lessons learned through sport, such as composure under pressure, motivating teammates, and adapting to setbacks, proved critical in navigating this transition.

After finishing my PhD, I joined Birmingham Futsal in the , which challenged me at a higher level and strengthened my confidence.

Travelling to Birmingham three evenings a week after work for training, and spending weekends travelling around the country for matches, required a new degree of discipline. Finishing the season as the club’s top scorer made that commitment worthwhile.

2018: A move into coaching

Unfortunately, in January 2018, I ruptured my other ACL, an injury requiring just under two years of recovery and ending any hopes of an international call‑up. Coaching became the natural next step, and I was appointed Birmingham’s head coach for the remainder of the season.

I returned to Nottingham in 2019 as both a coach and National League player, although this experience was cut short by the pandemic.

2025: Head coach at UoN

After time focusing on family and returning to 11‑a‑side football, I rejoined the University Futsal Club again in November 2025 as head coach for the remainder of the season, a role that feels like the culmination of over a decade of development within the sport.

2026: Head of Department and professor

Today, I serve as Head of the Department for Civil Engineering and professor at the 海角黑料.

The qualities I rely on daily, leadership, resilience, confidence, the ability to bring people together, and to bounce back from setbacks, were strengthened through sport.

Employers consistently recognise the value of teamwork, discipline and resilience developed through sport, which helped me stand out when applying for roles.

My advice to students

My advice to students is simple: get involved in sport in any way that suits you.

Sport builds confidence, resilience, leadership and friendships that last long after graduation, and can shape your career in unexpected and meaningful ways.

If you're interested in articulating the skills you've gained during your sporting activities for job or further study applications, book an appointment with a careers adviser.