Emma is a passionate and competitive athlete who loves running and netball. She is also a member of the Young people's sport panel. Here she tells us about why, and how, she gives back to sport through coaching.
Sport: a part of life
For as long as I can remember I have always participated competitively in sport, but recently I have realised there are other ways to get involved. Knowing and understanding the impact sport has had on me, and the ways in which it has helped me, led me to want to pass on these benefits to others.
I coach netball to primary-age children once a week and volunteer at my local primary school’s weekly running club – the very place I started my athletics journey.
I started volunteering as a way of thanking them for inspiring me to get involved in athletics on a more competitive scale. If it wasn’t for the coaches motivating me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Watching the children develop and improve is so motivating and rewarding.
Coaching has become more and more important to me.
If I can inspire just one child to take up sport, everything will be worth it.
Watching the children develop and improve is so motivating and rewarding.
How to get involved
There are different ways to get involved in coaching, and one of the ways I started was to look for a local coaching course to attend. I attended the netball Young Leader course before I started coaching netball and it provided me with the basics and confidence to start up a club. I now run a cluster club, joining up four local primary schools. They not only keep fit but meet new friends and engage with people they will be going to school with. So far, this club has attracted 100 children and had to be split over four blocks.
Another good thing to do is to seek help from someone you trust and who is supportive. This could be a PE teacher, local primary teacher or head teacher. For me, this is my Active Schools coordinator. She constantly goes above and beyond to make everything the best it can be and is so supportive and helpful in setting up the clubs.
It's also important to find a like-minded person. I originally started coaching on my own and as the numbers grew, it became more and more difficult to do it on my own. I now coach with a friend and not only is it easier and more fun, I get things done more quickly and efficiently.
I cannot emphasise enough the benefits of being a coach. I recently achieved my UKCC Level 1 netball qualification and am now working with the Council in multi-sport camps in the local area. Everything in local schools is done on a voluntary basis but getting paid for my efforts during summer, doing something I love, is amazing.
Easy as 1, 2, 3!
Here’s what you need to find to get into coaching:
- A local training course or opportunities to help out at an extra-curricular club.
- Someone who can support you and help you make things happen.
- A friend who is interested and passionate like you, and do it together!
Find out more
For more information on coaching visit our website.
Keen to try a new sport? Find one you love using our sport A-Z.
Passionate about the future of sport? Learn more about the Young people's sport panel.
