JAGUARS SPOTLIGHT
This semester, we’ve decided to shine the SPOTlight on our wonderful student coaches.
At Team Jaguar, we’re proud to offer a comprehensive programme of sporting and recreational activities that provide ample opportunities for participation, inspiration and growth among our students and their families.
We, at Team Jaguar, believe that fostering a vibrant sporting culture that nurtures talent, creates passion and develops teamwork is vital in a student’s development as an individual and as an athlete. Therefore, JAGUARS SPOTlight is a new initiative at ACS Egham that aims to celebrate people in our sporting community going above and beyond by aiming high and making it happen!
This semester, we’ve decided to shine the SPOTlight on our wonderful student coaches. We will uncover their motivations behind coaching, their experiences in sporting or recreational activities and what they have most enjoyed about it.
Ali, Grade 11, Student Coach for Middle School Volleyball
Ali is a Grade 11 student at ACS Egham who loves sport. He is a keen net games player and is a valuable member of the High School Badminton and Varsity Boys Volleyball teams. Ali recently represented the Varsity Boys Volleyball team at the International Schools Athletic Association (ISAA) Championships in Eindhoven where the team secured a well fought fourth place.
How did you get involved in the sport?
I started Volleyball in Grade 9 when all my friends forced me to try out. I had a background in many competitive sports that all involved intense hand-eye coordination and therefore I thought I'd give volleyball a try. For the first few sessions, admittedly we weren’t very good. However, it was something we used to look forward to and over time those sessions turned into matches and those matches into tournaments, and inevitably turned volleyball into an interest of mine.
How did you get involved in coaching?
I used to help in coaching a fair few sports whenever I could in alternate classes. In Grade 10, I was the scorekeeper for the Middle School girls volleyball matches and saw that there was only a singular coach. I was able to take coaching as part of my ‘Service as Action’ and was enlisted as the assistant coach for the Middle School volleyball team, and although this was in the off-season it allowed for me to work as a volleyball coach and gain some experience for the upcoming official season.
What do you love about coaching?
A great part about coaching is seeing progress. Witnessing the progress and growth of individuals in your club is incredibly rewarding. As a coach you have taken responsibility to aid each individual in reaching their goals, therefore when progress or growth has been made there is a sense of achievement and accomplishment for both parties. As well as that, coaching amplifies personal development, giving an opportunity to enhance communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, which are valuable in various aspects of life.
What do you do as a student coach?
As a student coach the job varies. I work with middle school students and so there is a preliminary focus on the development of the fundamental skills of the sport. My job is to assist the main coaches and just act as another helping hand, perform drills when there is confusion or run some drills when more hands are needed. The main job of a student coach is to act as a role model for the students, an anchoring point for them to aspire to reach - inspiring, disciplined, and passionate.
Service as Action is a foundational element of the International Baccalaureate Programme. It seeks to develop caring members of the community who make a positive difference to the lives of others and their environment.
Bregje, Grade 11, Student Coach for Middle School Girls Soccer
Bregje is a talent soccer player who has a real passion for the game. She is a valuable member of the Varsity Girls Soccer team and is also a student coach with the Middle School Girls Soccer team. In the first semester Bregje competed in the ISSA Championships in Geneva for the Varsity Girls Soccer team.
How did you get involved in soccer?
I have been playing football for a very long time. I started when I was around four years old, when I used to play in Shanghai. Ever since I have moved, since I’m a rather international student, soccer has always come along with me – it’s always been a part of my journey.
My dad has always been a coach and has coached me and my brother for many years. Because of this, the idea of coaching has always interested me, as well as letting other people benefit from my knowledge and expertise of the sport. When the position of student coach at the school opened I jumped at the opportunity as I thought it would be a new learning curve and good for my progression.
I’m an assistant to the main coach Ben, but I also get to give my own input since I’m part of the High School team as well. I’m able to connect with my fellow players and build a relationship. I also think it’s important to have a female role model in younger female coaching.
Student coaching provides opportunities to try something new. The role of a student coach might involve things like running the warm ups at training and providing players with individual feedback and coaching points to help them improve.
Tommy, Grade 12, Assistant Coach for Varsity Girls Soccer
Tommy is a massive football fan and Lazio supporter. This year he has been working closely with Ben as a student coach to the Varsity Girls Soccer team, as well as coaching Junior Varsity games. In November Tommy accompanied our Varsity Girls to Geneva as an assistant coach in the ISAA Championships.
How did you get involved in the sport you are coaching?
I have always loved the game of football and have always particularly appreciated the skills behind coaching it, rather than playing. This is why I decided to get involved in the coaching aspect of football within the school.
Why do you like coaching?
I love coaching for multiple reasons including the joy that it gives me and the players when something is successful, but also each and every training session brings satisfaction. It is known that, even if very complicated, my dream has always been to coach as a professional, and I believe that coaching within the school is the first step to be able to achieve this.
