Coach Scholar

Coach Scholar

Overview of the Role

The Coach Scholar role is a hands on coaching role. Coach Scholars are responsible for supporting or leading weekly student to student coaching sessions in their chosen sport during term-time. As a Coach Scholar, you will either be at Level 1 or a Level 2. This level is dependent on your qualification status. Level 1 Coach Scholars will be pre Level 1 or working towards a Level 1 qualification in their chosen sport. Level 2 Coach Scholars will already have at least a Level 1 qualification, but could also already have a Level 2 qualification or higher. For Level 1 Coach Scholars the role could involve supporting a qualified coach or staff member or even leading your own recreational level sessions. For the Level 2 Coach Scholars you will be responsible for leading coaching sessions, this could be at beginner or team level.

Both levels of the Coach Scholar programme are ideal roles for students wanting to developing their coaching skills and grow as a coach within their sport. The roles also develop student’s transferable skills and employability.

You will be supported and mentored by the leadership team and senior coaches to become a more effective coach as well as articulate the transferable skills coaching gives you in real world situations. It is a fun and challenging role and you will be helping your fellow students to enjoy sport whilst at university as well as developing your own skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Deliver a minimum of 2 hours coaching per week in your chosen sports club
• Level 1: Support a qualified coach or staff member in delivering coaching, or lead the delivery of a recreational level session only.
  Level 2: Lead your own sessions without the direct support of a senior coach or staff member
• Contribute to the development and sustainability of your chosen sport at the university
• Represent the University & Leeds Sport in a positive manner
• Complete the Leeds Sport coach employability workbook throughout the year
• Record participation details from all sessions delivered on our online system
• Provide regular feedback and good news stories from your sessions
• Attend regular development meetings and observations with your mentor
• Maintain open lines of communication with the Leeds Sport team
• Attend coaching workshops, training and CPD’s as appropriate

Skills and Experience Required

• Level 1: Be committed to working towards a Level 1 coaching qualification in your chosen sport
  Level 2: Either hold or be committed to working towards a Level 2 coaching qualification in your chosen sport, or have relevant equivalent coaching experience (minimum Level 1 qualification in chosen sport)
• Prior experience of delivering your chosen sport on a development or assistant level (or even performance level for Level 2 Coach Scholars)
• Weekly commitment to the delivery of sessions and related administration during term time
• Be willing and able to engage with the programme in its entirety including induction, ongoing training and mentoring meetings
• Enthusiasm & energy
• Good communication skills
• Reliable & Trustworthy
• Flexible & Adaptable
• A passion for coaching and developing sport

Skills Developed

Communication, Teamwork & Collaboration, Leadership, Flexibility & Adaptability, Initiative, Planning & Organising, Independent working, Time management, Reflection, Self awareness, Active Learning, Self confidence & Perseverance.

Training and Support

We want you to have the very best volunteering experience with us; therefore we take care to ensure you get the training and support you need to carry out your role including:

• An initial induction to the organisation and the role
• Free places on semesterly First Aid & Safeguarding courses
• Access to a bursary for further sport specific training, CPDs, First Aid training, Safeguarding training etc. – Level 1: £200; Level 2: £400
• Regular mentoring, observations and feedback with sport specific mentors and the Leeds Sport team

Any further training and support needs will be discussed with the Sports Workforce Officer, who will be your main point of contact.

Reward and Recognition

The time and skills that you provide are invaluable and we make every effort to ensure you feel appreciated in your role. Leeds Sport is invested in retaining volunteers and ensuring their volunteering is a supportive, high quality experience working to the common aims of growing university sport and developing students skills. All Coach Scholars will be eligible for the following:

• A uniform in the form of a Leeds Sport leadership t-shirt to wear during their sessions
• Access to The Edge facility on an Edge Club membership
• Access to all training required to complete the role including Safeguarding & First Aid
• Access to Level 1 and Level 2 coaching qualifications with Leeds Sport
• Access to a bursary (Level 1 – £200; Level 2: £400) for further sport specific training, CPDs, First Aid training, Safeguarding training etc. and guidance on mechanisms of securing further funding
• Volunteer of the month awards
• References from our staff team

Participation in this programme can also be used as part of the SOUL Discovery programme. This module supports students to reflect on the personal & professional value of their volunteering.

Commitment

Ideally you will be able to commit 3-5 hours per week during term time, consisting of a minimum of 2 hours coaching, travel to and from sessions and administration/planning time.  If you are likely to find this commitment difficult, please speak to the Sports Workforce Officer who will be able to discuss this in more detail.

You will be required to attend any training relevant to your role in line with the Leeds Sport minimum deployment guidelines for volunteers.

Further Information

• Coach Scholars are responsible to the Sports Workforce Officer in the Leeds Sport Team and their sport specific mentor
• Clubs will be limited to a maximum of 2 coach scholars for the 2026-27 year. If your club wishes to have more than 2 student volunteer coaches, please view the Club Coach volunteer position or contact Chloe Marshall – Sports Workforce Officer at [email protected].
• Online applications for the 2026/27 academic year are now CLOSED. Applications for the 2027/28 year will open in February 2027.
• Once clubs reach their limit of 2 coach scholars applications for those clubs will be closed
• Following your online application you may be invited for an informal interview with the Sports Workforce Officer to discuss the role and next steps.
• If you have any questions or would like any additional information, please contact Chloe Marshall – Sports Workforce Officer at [email protected].