UCOL sports students have a ball

UCOL sports students have a ball

Whanganui UCOL Sports and Exercise students returned to school recently, to teach and learn.

The Certificate in Exercise and Sport Performance (CESP) students spent four hours over three days at Rutherford Junior High School, supervising sports activities for more than 40 energetic school pupils.

UCOL Exercise & Sport Performance lecturer Jon Bailey says the activity is a valuable part of the Certificate’s Sport Coaching paper and forms part of their practical assessment. “The students get a real life impression of the planning, preparation and patience involved in coordinating sports activities for youngsters.

Rutherford Junior High and UCOL Certificate in Exercise and Sport Performance students take a break during their sports day.

The UCOL students organised basketball, soccer, netball and touch games among teams of enthusiastic pupils. “It was a welcome respite for the busy teachers and the children really enjoyed the experience,” says Jon. “Some of the Sports Certificate students found themselves in an unfamiliar territory coaching children,” says Jon. “But they all dealt with it really well.”

As a result of the activities, the UCOL students were able to assess the improvements in fitness, coordination and ball skills of their young charges.

Similar sports training days were also organised in Masterton under the UCOL Wairarapa CESP programme.

UCOL’s Academic Leader of Exercise and Sport Science Dean Rankin says the school sports initiative is valuable for both UCOL students and the participating schools.

“In this activity, and others throughout their UCOL studies, our students get to share their knowledge and abilities, while gaining real life work experience, in different areas of the community,” he says.

ENDS

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