This week was finally the week in which I began my placement with Active Stirling.  As mentioned previously, my first session was taking a P6 football session at Riverside Primary School.

I was in contact with Craig over the weekend to finalise the details and what was expected of me, I was taking the session with Gregor, who was extremely helpful throughout and made it much easier for me to settle into.

We began the session with a warm up, getting the kids excited and interacting with each other was key to getting them on board and comfortable with us both.  After this, a number of drills, involving multiple skills, which I was pleasantly surprised with.  The attitude of the children was excellent from start to finish, which again, made my job much easier.  We got them into two teams to finish the session, getting everyone involved and running around!  I was ‘forced’ to join in due to lack of numbers… giving me a chance to showcase my skillset with the ball, and not just when coaching.  Unfortunately there was a number of players far better than me, being again a credit to the kids participating in the training session.  This will be taking place every week for the next 6 weeks, at the same time.  Making it a consistent opportunity for me to rack up much needed hours.

There is also events in which I can volunteer at and again as mentioned before, gain more hours towards the required 30.

I very positive week for me in terms of my placement at Active Stirling, looking forward to my next session on Monday.

Tom

Finally, my PVG came and the process is complete. I am starting my first coaching session tomorrow,  with P6 students at Riverside Primary school, from 3:30-4:30. This will be running for the next 6 weeks. I am extremely excited for this to get going.

Speaking to Craig, I am going to be taking the warm up and then progressing into a little game, with the venue being a sports hall.  Clicking the first of the hours I need to complete my placement is lifting the pressure of the delayed start.  As well as this, I’ll be trying to do all the available hours that I can, with needing to concentrate on multiple things, I’m going to try and get them done as soon as I can.

I’m grateful for the chance to be able to do something I may want to take further in terms of employment once I finish my degree. And again am extremely optimistic and excited about getting everything rolling tomorrow.

Tom

The money for my PVG came out this week, which is a positive.  I’m unsure if that means everything is complete but I will mention it to Craig and see what he says.

The weeks are running out, so I’ll need to get everything going quickly once I am able to start.  Unfortunately I missed an opportunity to gain some hours last week, with help needed at an event at the Peak.  This was due to footballing commitment.  I notified Craig of this, and expressed my apologies for not being able to help.  I also asked that he lets me know of all upcoming events that may be similar and will contribute to my required hours.

I’ve also enquired about meeting in regards to my review, although I haven’t actually done anything in terms of work yet.  It might act as a possibility to discuss further the work I will be doing once everything is up and running. I am still, as I mentioned previously, extremely excited to get going and begin working with different groups of people, and across a number of events.

Again, hoping to have more to write about in the coming weeks.  Appreciate the patience.

Tom

I am still awaiting the confirmation of my PVG, and with the weeks going by quickly, this isn’t ideal.  However, as mentioned previously, the flexible nature of my placement with Active Stirling means there is still plenty of oppourtunities to gain the required hours.

The apprehension of getting going is growing the more I have to wait.  Although the overriding emotion is still excitement, with this chance to work with many different groups of young people, doing my best to help both them and the people running the events I will be attending.  I have been revising through previous sessions I did when getting my coaching qualification in preparation for when everything is in place.  Again, this only contributes to the excitement and slight nervousness I’m feeling in regards to coaching young people for the first time.

I’ve been in contact with Craig regarding the PVG, this process is well on it’s way to being complete.  Hoping again to finally get going by the time I post my next blog.  Apologies for the delay and repetetive nature of my blogs so far!

Tom

The ball is rolling in regards to getting my PVG finalised.  Hoping to have everything up and running by next weekend at the latest.

The excitement of finally getting going is building, with Craig emailing through opportunities continuously for us to get involved with.  The most recent being a chance to help out at a with Active Stirling and Scottish Disability Sport on November 8th.  Something that interests me greatly, with the role being to just assist around the event and make myself useful, this offers me a brilliant chance to gain an insight into how these things are run. How the people involved find such events, in terms of the sort of activities offered to the participants, and generally what it entails when organising such an event.  Something that I am looking forward to already.

With the delayed start to my actual placement, there isn’t much more going on for me at the moment in terms of news.  However, the patience showed by Craig has been reassuring.  With the endless events and opportunities for me to gain the experience I’m after, I am not too worried about the fact I am yet to clock any of the required hours to complete the module.  Again, extremely excited to start this unique experience with Active Stirling.

Hoping to have more to write about in the coming weeks,

Tom.

I will be doing my work placement with Active Stirling over the next 10 or so weeks, this is an opportunity that excites me immensely.

Having met with my mentor Craig numerous times now, I am almost at the stage where I can begin working with the different groups of people across a range of different sports in which Craig has identified throughout our meetings.  The delayed start has been down to a verity of reasons, the main one being the process of acquiring a PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups). Due to not previously having one, this takes longer than those who are simply updating theirs.  I am now in the final stage of this process, and hoping to begin my placement in the coming week.

Having an interest in football myself, as well as being a level 2 qualified coach, Craig has been very helpful and accommodating in trying to centre my placement around this sport.  We have discussed the possibility of starting a football session for pupils in P7, this prospect does excite me; however the thought has made me slightly nervous too.  Due to the nature of coaching those younger than me, something I haven’t done before.

Not only this, but working with those from all ages across a wide range of sports/activities. Having not previously worked in environments such as this, it is something I’m hoping to becoming more comfortable with over the next few months.  Gaining more experience and confidence within this setting, as it may be an area I could look to when searching for employment after University.

Again, I am feeling positive and excited about my upcoming placement with Active Stirling, which will hopefully be in full swing by the next post.

Thomas Cowley