Social Sport Activator

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

The Social Sport Activator role is a hands on recreational coaching role. You will be running fun, non-competitive weekly sessions for your fellow students in your chosen sport – welcoming them, answering questions, facilitating games and getting everyone involved. We currently have activator roles available in Netball, Dodgeball, Basketball, Badminton, Football, Futsal & Mixed Lacrosse and sessions are generally one hour per week during term time. It is a fun and challenging role and you will be helping your fellow students to enjoy social sport whilst at university as well as developing your own skills.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deliver a minimum of one social sport session per week in your chosen sport during term time (anticipated days & times for each sport are listed below)
• Contribute to the development and sustainability of social sport at the university
• Represent the University & Leeds Sport in a positive manner
• Record participation details from all sessions delivered on our online system
• Provide regular feedback from your sessions
• Provide a fun, friendly & welcoming atmosphere at your sessions
• Maintain open lines of communication with the Leeds Sport team
• Cross promote other playing and volunteering opportunities on campus to participants
• Attend development meetings, training and CPD’s as appropriate

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Either hold a recognised sports coaching qualification, or have relevant equivalent coaching experience
• Prior experience of playing university sport at a recreational or performance level
• An understanding of how to deliver an informal sports session
• 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
• Excellent people skills and an ability to put newcomers and beginners at ease
• A passion for coaching and developing sport

SKILLS DEVELOPED

Communication, Team Working, Leadership, Flexibility, Planning & Organisation, Independent working, Time management.

TRAINING & 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
• Go Lead Award (Sports Leaders UK)
• Ongoing mentoring and support from the Leeds Sport team

Any further training and support needs will be discussed with the Social Sport Coordinator, who will be your main point of contact.

REWARD & 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 Social Sport Activators 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
• Volunteer of the month awards
• References from our staff team

COMMITMENT

Ideally you will be able to commit 2-3 hours per week during term time, consisting of a minimum of one hours coaching, travel to and from your session and administration time. You will need to be available on a weekly basis at the times listed below during term time to deliver the sessions. If you are likely to find this commitment difficult, please speak to the Social Sport Coordinator 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

• Social Sport Activators are responsible to Rachel Harrison, Social Sport Coordinator in the Leeds Sport Team
• We currently have 2 Social Sport Activator roles available in each of the sports listed below for 2021-22 academic year
• Online applications for the 2021-22 academic year are currently closed and will open in September 2021
• Following your online application you may be invited for an informal meeting or group briefing with the Social Sport Coordinator to discuss the role
• You will be required to attend a Sports Leaders training course (GoLead) if you do not have a pre-existing sports coaching qualification (course date TBC, November 2021)