BSc Sport Coaching Project Zone

The baby boom of the 1960s and increased longevity are partly responsible for the age structure of the population alive today.   Government statistics suggest 10 million people in the UK are over 65 years old, with a projection of 19 million by 2050.

On Wednesday 14 May 2014, the University of Brighton’s School of Sport and Service Management welcomed guests from a number of Eastbourne’s community care homes for an afternoon workout, tea and biscuits.   The event was part of an ongoing partnership with the Eastbourne & Wealden YMCA, developed as a training day for Sport Coaching BSc (Hons) students to experience coaching and socialising with some of the elderly population.

Sport Coaching students Carl Chandler, Michael Spence, Andy Olde, Debby Steinbrecher and Chelsey Apps are all currently involved in voluntary work with the YMCA on their Y3A project which is an integral aspect of our social engagement work and promoting links with the local community. Students are encouraged as part of their degree programme to diversify their understanding of coaching pedagogy and practice.

Peer training supervised by the YMCA, aided development of practical applications of fundamental coaching principles and consideration of the theory supporting physical or cognitive development.  Another focus was the consideration of potential limitations faced by individuals with visual or cognitive impairments and adaptations to practice to overcome possible barriers.

The students and their guests from The Camelot, The Hawthorns, Sunrise and The Saffrons thoroughly enjoyed their experiences together and as conversations flowed, the sports hall was filled with the sound of laughter alongside competitive balloon and quoit throwing!