ABOUT OUR COACHES
OUR COACHES
At Play Sports Juniors, our coaches are at the heart of what we do. Whether delivering one of our school sports sessions or welcoming children to a Play Sports Juniors Netball Academy, we want every session to be positive, active, inclusive and, most importantly, fun.
We believe that a great coach can have a huge influence on a child’s experience of sport. That’s why we look for coaches who don’t just understand their sport, but who can create an environment where children feel comfortable getting involved, trying something new and developing at their own pace. Coaches want to help children build confidence, make friends, learn to work as part of a team and develop a positive relationship with sport and physical activity.
Our coaches come from a range of sporting backgrounds, bringing their own experience, knowledge and personality to their sessions. We select coaches who have a strong understanding of the sport they teach, but equally important to us is their ability to engage, encourage and communicate with young people.
A Play Sports Juniors coach understands that not every child arrives with the same experience or confidence. One child might already play regularly for a club, while another may be trying the sport for the very first time, our coaches are there to make sure both feel like they belong.
All coaches are confident adapting activities for different ages and abilities, recognising when a player needs an extra challenge and when someone might need a little more encouragement or support. Above all, we look for coaches who share our belief that sport should be something children enjoy and look forward to.
IN SESSION
Our sessions are busy, energetic and social, with plenty of opportunities for children to get involved rather than spending their session standing around waiting for their turn. Sessions are bursting with encouragement, teamwork, games, challenges and opportunities to put new skills into practice.
We know that mistakes are part of learning; trying something new is encouraged! Asking questions is welcomed. And celebrating a teammate can be just as important as scoring a goal or winning a game.
Our coaches use a range of warm-ups, games, skill activities, team challenges and match play appropriate to the age and experience of the children taking part. Sessions are planned with clear areas of development in mind while giving coaches the flexibility to adapt to the group in front of them.
Across both our School and Academy sessions, we focus on developing:
- Physical skills – movement, coordination and sport-specific techniques.
- Social skills – communication, teamwork, friendships and learning to play alongside others.
- Confidence – encouraging children to get involved, make decisions and try new things.
- Game understanding – introducing rules, positions, tactics and decision-making at an appropriate level.
- Enjoyment – making sure having fun and enjoying being active remains at the centre of the experience.
We want children to finish their session feeling like they’ve learnt something, achieved something and had a good time doing it.
SAFETY
Every Play Sports Juniors coach goes through our recruitment and onboarding process before they are able to independently deliver our sessions. This includes a two-stage interview process and compulsory training.
All our coaches:
- Enhanced DBS checks
- Safeguarding training
- First Aid training
- Relevant coaching qualifications and/or experience for the sport they deliver
Coaches are also provided with guidance and resources to help them plan and deliver age-appropriate sessions in line with Play Sports Juniors standards.
For our sessions, coaches have access to the information they need to safely manage their group, including registers and relevant medical and emergency contact information. They are also responsible for ensuring the appropriate equipment and First Aid Kit are available for the session.
Safeguarding and the wellbeing of the children in our care are taken seriously, and our coaches understand their responsibilities both on and off the court or pitch.
WANT TO BE A JUNIOR SPORTS COACH?
If you’re interested in coaching one of our Junior Sports sessions, please click the button below.