New City Sport Coaching Academy students link up with schools for Sportshall Athletics event

Students on the newly-launched New City Sport Coaching Academy at Havering Sixth Form got the ball rolling with a fantastic effort helping out at a school indoor Sportshall Athletics tournament.

The team of 16 students who are all studying the Level 3 Sport BTEC at the college in Hornchurch, spent the day running sessions, coaching, collating results and organising Year 7 and 8 pupils from 10 different secondary schools in Havering as they competed in various events, including shot putt, triple jump, relays and sprints.

The day, held at Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre, was a total success with the schools and their pupils extremely appreciative of the sixth form students’ involvement, said Sport Senior Curriculum Manager Sam Marsh.

The sixth form are now working to develop the partnership with the Havering School Sport Collective and will collaborate together at future events to provide coaching and teamwork opportunities for the students and school pupils.

Sam added: “The sixth form students all did brilliantly. They loved putting their coaching skills into practice and are already looking forward to the next one.

“This type of partnership with the schools is so beneficial to everyone. The events help massively with the students’ leadership skills, communication, organisation and teamwork – all key skills that will be useful to them in their career and in all different aspects of their life.”

The day contributed to the coaching and work experience units of the Sport BTEC qualification.

As part of their course, the Coaching Academy students also organise and run a sports session for SEND students at Havering Sixth Form each week.

The New City Sport Coaching Academy and Sport BTEC programme is suitable for those who are thinking of becoming PE teachers or working within any sport as a coach – as well as many other career pathways.