Rhubarb 2017

ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

7

Do you have any advice for pupils and young OSE who want to work within the sports sector? A sports career isn't just for those professionals within the game. If you look at sport as a whole there are so many roles to keep the cogs turning whether in commercial and marketing, science, health and fitness, officiating and coaching, event management and development. There are three key points: 1. Passion and commitment - the job isn't necessarily always 9-5pm. Long hours are sometimes part and parcel of the job so you need to have the passion to make it all worth it. 2. Degree choice - you don't necessarily have to do a sports specific degree. Identify the key skills they are looking for in job descriptions and make sure that whatever degree or experience you are gaining illustrates your transferable skills. 3. Experience - experience is crucial. Demonstrating willingness, passion and understanding will go a long way and will help you stand out from the crowd. 4. Networking - consider attending any industry events as you will come into contact with plenty of people. Ask them about their career journey, listen to any advice and go from there.

and encouraged me to think about my whole life rather than just the academic. Having such a wide offer of extracurricular activities gave me the chance to try new things. One significant moment was planning my first adventure to Africa. At the end of Lower Sixth a group of us travelled to Uganda. I fell in love with the whole experience. Working in a rewarding job that I love is just part of my life. Trying to juggle the different plates and make sure none of them drop has been a skill I've developed from School to being a programme manager now. Do you still play any sports outside of your work life?What is the value of team games and/or physical activity? Working in the industry definitely means I've had the opportunity to try out many sports, most of which I'd try my hand at again! There are so many more opportunities out there which are great fun to get involved in with friends, either as a one off or more frequently. Outside of work, I continue to enjoy both netball and tennis, but increasingly enjoy running and cycling too. Sport offers so many benefits not only for physical fitness but for mental wellbeing and personal development - with the busy lives we lead it's even more important to get out and change your focus.

to access even half the opportunities that the YST offers. Sport has professionalised its approach so much since then. It is so much more than just playing and the YST really focuses on the inclusive development of coaches, officials, leaders and media. Since the introduction of the School Games across the country this has grown through the power of competitive sport. The skills and confidence that sport offers to every individual are vast, and I truly believe there is a place for everyone to get involved. Can you put into words what it was like to work as part of the London 2012 Games? Through the connections I'd made in the industry I was asked to manage the workforce programme for two test events in August 2011 and May 2012. Leading on from this I was able to secure for 24 young volunteers the opportunity to join me court-side at the beach volleyball. I trained up the group over the course of six months as the ball boys and girls, and sand-rakers. Nothing would quite prepare them, or me, for their first match as we stood next to these giants in the tunnel and led them out onto the show court. The energy and excitement were electric. What were the highlights of working at the BeachVolleyball events on Horse Guards Parade? There were so many highlights - I had so many proud moments being able to sit court-side while my team were performing their roles especially when I reflected back on the journey they'd come on to get there. Over the fortnight the team experienced so many new opportunities. The chance for me to see them meeting challenges and growing in confidence was amazing. We saw our favourite nations play, we had a visit from David Cameron and got to experience the backstage magic with the armed forces, an artist commissioned to capture the event, the press conferences and so much more. Which areas of your school life prepared you for what you do today? Collectively teachers, tutors and housemistresses always showed compassion

F E A T U R E S

Helen (left) and her team at The London Youth Games