News | ADRIAN ROSE
Teesside University student Adrian Rose runs a rugby coaching society from the university where students have achieved their level 1 rugby coaching before coaching in schools throughout the Tees Valley.
The scheme consisting of the Universities of Durham, Newcastle, Northumberland, Sunderland and Teesside aims to improve students’ employability by providing volunteering opportunities to develop and deliver sport sessions to hard to reach groups.
Adrian, studying BSc Sports Therapy, believes the project is a great opportunity to add another dimension to students’ repertoire other than gaining a degree.
He said: “I have been working as a coach and co-ordinator for over three years now and the SUNEE project is a great way for students to gain experience and qualifications whilst studying.
“I created the Society of Officials, which is dedicated to aiding students with gaining funding for qualifications to deliver sessions within the local community.
“The society is hard work and demands a lot of time, contacting various groups and schools working with various parties to find hours and ensuring that the coaches can fit sessions around their university timetable. The running of the society has the same workload as any other club, considering the funding, organising and recording.”
Amongst Adrian’s recent achievements was the organising of a rugby tournament for primary school children at Acklam Rugby Club, Saltersgill.
“After six weeks coaching, we invited the children to a rugby tournament we had organised. You could see how the children had developed their skills and confidence since we had met them.
“The coaching as well as the tournament went fantastic, with all the coaches completing the full timetable in the schools. Eleven teams turning out for first round of the tournament was brilliant. The lads have loved working in the schools and feel that they have gained valuable experience.
“Equally important was how the children had began to understand the benefits of sport and exercise, built an awareness of social inclusion and really enjoyed participating in physical activities.”
Despite his achievements Adrian is already looking to future by setting new targets in order to strengthen the link between SUNEE and the local community.
“My targets with SUNEE now are to make Teesside University the biggest participant in the North East. As sports co-ordinator I want to increase the availability of courses, funding and facilities as well as the number of coaches, which will give something greater back to the community.”
Aside from strengthening community engagement with sport, Adrian believes the rapidly growing project will stand him in good stead for when he graudates and is looking for fellow students to take this opportunity with both hands.
“I feel that volunteering is a great way of gaining valuable experience and opportunities to give back to and benefit the local community. In the volunteering I have done around the university I have gained a wide range of experience and links to various clubs and schools which has lead to many job opportunities.
“SUNEE has shown me what can be achieved when hard work and commitment is shown. It is an opportunity to gain vital experience and
He added: “Next year we want more people on board, so I would urge people to take this fantastic opportunity, a chance to gain recognised qualifications and practical experience in the local community.”
Article written by SUNEE journalism scholar Jonathan Moon.
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