Studying BSc Sport Coaching? Here’s what to expect.
Date 17 December 2024
17.12.2024The BSc Sport Coaching course at the University of Northampton has provided first year Grace with so much already; find out what to expect on the course in her blog.
Why I picked the course
The BSc Sport Coaching course at the University of Northampton, has provided me with so much already, and my time here has only just begun! I have built a good relationship with the staff within this course as they have provided me with so much, knowing I can go to them if I’m struggling with anything.
The aspect within this course which attracted me the most was the specialism, and the considerable number of opportunities provided. Especially the opportunities provided for placement; these include engaging with the England volleyball or helping with the local Northampton swimming club, specifically with para-swimmers and their training.
What should you expect in the Sport Coaching course at the University of Northampton?
I have been in this course for almost 3 months now and have already experienced so many placement opportunities, including helping in an international event with England volleyball.
Within this course so far, I have already developed many coaching skills, one skill being how to be more athlete-centred when planning and delivering sports sessions.
I love how there are several aspects within coaching. For example, psychological aspects, delivering sessions on a regular basis to build a practice base, the effect of a coach, and the aspects within these. There are many career opportunities to gain after this course such as coaching elite level athletes.
What I have learned on the course so far?
In this course so far, I have planned and delivered sessions multiple times whilst developing my understanding over different skills and aspects of coaching. This course is both practical and theoretically-based, which is brilliant because it helps to get that experience within coaching whilst gaining valuable knowledge.
Within this course, you are offered a great deal of support from the staff, including a module on developing academic writing such as writing a literature review, which is valuable towards other modules as it may require you to incorporate these skills.
The Experience
The experience I’m gaining in my first year will prove very valuable in my second year where the placement starts, and the opportunities for this placement will prove invaluable; one of my concerns had been finding a placement, however this course provides many placement opportunities for the second year. Some of the opportunities I’ve been given for placement so far include getting in touch with the England volleyball and possibly helping with some of their events. There’s also the Northampton swimming club, which would be great as you could experience how a para-swimmer may be coached, and several more which were offered as an opportunity to consider.
Book an open day to find out more about the Sport Coaching course.
Grace is a first-year undergraduate studying BSc Sport Coaching at the University of Northampton. She is also on the Elite Athlete Scholarship scheme, helping her to pave a way within her career in competitive skiing. On top of this, she is a qualified BASI level one ski instructor, with coaching qualifications in specific disciplines of skiing including race/ alpine, moguls, and freestyle skiing. She is currently exploring different future sporting career options.