As week four of my internship at The London Sports Trust comes to a close, I am left with a fair amount of insight into my own future career path.
The third week of February is “Halfterm,” a week-long midterm holiday for most London public schools (both primary and secondary). During the Halfterm holiday, The London Sports Trust offers all day sports sessions – for free – for children between the ages 8 and 16. These sessions are held at various housing estates and school playgrounds all over London, catering to the large populations of school-aged kids in each area. I was sent to a session in West Kensington, where I was able to put my coaching skills to good use. Two other coaches and I oversaw approximately 20 kids, and lead them in competitive games, skill oriented activities, and just plain fun.
I genuinely enjoyed these few days of coaching and no office work, and it made me realize that coaching could be a supplementary aspect of my future career. Being active is pivotal at all stages of life, and sports provide opportunity for structured exercise, socialization, and a place of escape for many children. Social work is my primary focus, but working with children in need can take many forms, including sports.
I have truly enjoyed the small amount of time I have spent with The London Sports Trust and their constituents, and I am gaining invaluable career and personal experiences.