Apprentice of the Month – October 2024
Since high school, I have always enjoyed PE, particularly netball. During college, I pursued A Level PE and joined the netball academy while also playing for a club that I have been part of for nine years. In my final year, I had the opportunity to both play and coach within the academy, which allowed me to put my netball coaching award and umpiring qualification into practice. This experience, along with coaching at a primary school, made me realise my passion for teaching and coaching sports, especially with younger people.
Throughout college, I knew I didn’t want to follow the traditional route of going to university and felt uncertain about other options. When I learned about Inspire+, I immediately saw it as a perfect fit, offering hands-on experience in the industry while allowing me to gain a valuable qualification. With the support of my parents and the Inspire+ team throughout the application process, everything fell into place easily.
Since starting my apprenticeship, I have gained valuable insights and skills, such as learning to adapt to the different learning styles and needs of the children. I’ve also developed confidence in teaching sports I previously had little experience with. Attending weekly training has been just as beneficial; for instance, a practical session on tag rugby provided me with numerous ideas to implement back at my school, especially in terms of progressing drills and adapting them creatively. Before this session, I would not have had much knowledge about such activities.
What I love most about my apprenticeship is that every day is different, and the variety of opportunities keeps the work exciting. The staff and children I work with make it a rewarding experience, especially when I can help a child discover their potential. One of my proudest moments was during one of my first gymnastics lessons, where I guided a student step-by-step in learning how to perform a handstand. Despite gymnastics being a sport I don’t feel very confident in, by the end of the term, the student had mastered the skill and performed it with confidence. Moments like these remind me why I love what I do.
In the future, I hope to continue working with younger people, eventually pursuing a degree in sport through the Open University, with the aim of working in an educational or coaching setting. I would highly recommend Inspire+ to others. The team provides exceptional support, ensuring that no question feels too small, and there’s always someone available for guidance. The experience of working in a school is invaluable, and the apprenticeship is well-organized and highly professional.
To find out more about our apprenticeships, visit www.inspireplus.org.uk/apprenticeships