JAYMI

I’ve always been passionate about sport and working with people, and this course has really helped me build the skills and confidence to turn that passion into a career. One of the things I love most about it is how practical it is. We don’t just stay in the classroom: we go into schools, coach real sessions, and get involved in work experience.

For my placement, I went back to my old secondary school, which was such a rewarding experience. I got to create my own lesson plans, work alongside teachers, and learn how to manage sessions effectively. Seeing how experienced coaches structure warm-ups, cool-downs, and deal with behaviour really helped me understand what it takes to lead a group.

Outside of college, I also do football coaching for Dunwear United and another local company. Coaching independently has been a great confidence boost. It’s just me leading the sessions, so I’ve learned how to take charge, communicate clearly, and see the difference I can make in the children’s skills and personal development.

When I first joined college, I was really shy and nervous, especially when leading sessions. I used to hold back if people didn’t listen, but now I’m confident enough to step in, give clear coaching points, and make sure everyone gets the most out of the session. I’ve grown so much since that first day.

I also play football for the college team, which has been a great way to make friends outside of my course and build even more confidence. Balancing my studies, coaching, and playing sport has helped me develop strong organisation and time-management skills too.

In the future, I plan to go to university to study coaching or primary education, and I’d love to volunteer abroad again. This course has shown me how rewarding it is to help others through sport, and I can’t wait to keep building on that in the future.