Year 11 sports-related work experience.

[JelenaB]

Hi, my DD is keen to do sports science . She’s currently in year 10. Her school suggested to her to start looking for a work experience for year 11. Has anyone got any experience in sports-related work experience or any other ideas? She is just trying to get organised for year 11. Thank you.

It will be easiest to get a week's work experience in a leisure centre.

If your daughter starts sending letters now, she may be able to get some experience with the governing body of a particular sport, but as many of those employees work from home it may be tricky. It will also depend on where you are based.

Parkrun HQ (either London or Newcastle) may take on someone for work experience, but again many of their staff work from home.

It may be worth enquiring at football clubs.

Has your daughter considering enquiring at podiatrists?

It's a tricky area for work experience as there are more graduates than jobs. Also, people going for sports massages and other therapeutic treatments often don't want to be observed by a 15 year old.

Friend of ds2's got a week's exp at a local osteopath.

Gym or leisure centre? Lifeguard training (actually job).

Possibly NHS physiowk exp role? (Less likely tbh)

Local athletic club FOR SURE will be desperate for volunteers- but would rather have ppl who will help over a longer period, like the whole summer, perhaps one day oer weekend. At 16 she can become a l 1 official abd supporting at summer meetings could involve helping with the first aid support?

Other sports clubs may offer opportunities- our local junior footy club welcomed help for its summer scheme.

Is there a sport that she is keen on?

Thank you for all the suggestions. We are based in London and she is keen on athletics.

Here you go then, assistant track and field official, open to anyone over 14. She can do it this year - need two experiences I think which would be weekends in June and July.

https://www.englandathletics.org/coaches-and-officials/officials-qualifications/assistant-track-and-field-official/

@JelenaB I would ask what she can do at school. Can she help with an athletics club? What about her own athletics/sports club?

Leisure centres, gyms, community centres with sports clubs, primary schools. Are there any football or rugby clubs near you? They’ll often run programmes or have a community arm that might help.

Volunteer to help at the clubs she goes to. This is what my dd did. She actually got paid one summer. She also trained as a swim teacher.

Agree with PP volunteer at the clubs she already attends. They often need help with primary school age cildren.

Also going forward train as a lifeguard. It pays quite well.

Volunteer to help with the younger age groups at her own athletic club and volunteer at local park runs.

All good ideas above. Do you know any local coaches, in any sport? Does she follow any on socials? My DS did unpaid work experience with a coach managing his social posts and athlete data analysis.

Both my DS's did work experience with a sports company that ran after school and lunchtime clubs for several local primary schools and also went into schools to teach PE lessons during the school day while teachers had their PPA time.
They knew some of the coaches from football holiday camps they had attended so may be worth asking around if any local to you.
This led to some paid work for my eldest whilst was in 6th form too over the summer holidays.

Holiday activity clubs / camps are a good way to earn some money and get hands on experience - look at which clubs run in your area and get in touch, she should explain her expertise in athletics

Someone I knew went to the local football club and worked with the people who did kids coaching in schools