A young coach helping to provide more athletics opportunities in the Bristol area

Coaches play a vital role in athletics and running, especially within local athletics clubs. On a recent club engagement visit to Bristol & West AC we chatted to Esther, a young coach who was helping to coach a junior athletics session.

Esther’s journey into athletics started as an athlete before she then transitioned into coaching.

“I used to compete as a pole vaulter and then, after doing that for about seven years, I decided to get into coaching. Lots of people in my athletics career had coached me for free so I thought it was the right time to give back to the athletics community. It’s been really fun! We have a great group of kids and it’s just grown so fast since we started putting on these sessions.”

Having recognised the impact that her coaches had on her, Esther can now see the impact that she is having on the lives of young athletes. It is very rewarding to see the young athletes improving and progressing in the sport.

“You can see what a difference coaching makes every week. If five new young people come in because you are putting on a session and if those five people progress all the way through the athletics ladder, then you’re making such a difference to kids’ lives.”

Providing opportunities for athletes at the club

As a young coach, Esther also has ambitions for progressing along the pathway herself. She would like to return to her roots in the pole vault and pass on her expertise to the next generation of young athletes. This will provide more opportunities for the athletes at Bristol & West AC to not only try pole vault, but also to achieve their best in the event.

“So, I’m a Coaching Assistant at the moment, I’ve just completed that course, but I think I’ll progress to Athletics Coach. Then further down the line I’ll do pole vault specific training to become a pole vault coach because that is my speciality in athletics.”

Advice for aspiring coaches

Through the process of qualifying as a Coaching Assistant, Esther found she had lots of support from her club. This can be especially helpful when starting your coaching journey as other more experienced coaches will be available to advise and guide you.

“I found that the club has been really supportive as well as England Athletics. The pathways from Coaching Assistant to Athletics Coach are really great and really clear and the courses have been fun as well.”

Her advice to anyone considering getting involved in coaching is,

“I would definitely do it! There are so many opportunities and especially if you’re often at the track already because your kid is there or you train as an athlete it’s definitely worth it.”

Have you been inspired by Esther’s story?

If you are an athlete, like Esther, who would like to give something back to the sport and pass on the knowledge you have acquired, then check out our entry level coaching courses, Coaching Assistant and Leadership in Running Fitness. These courses provide a great basis for developing as a coach.

If you are already a coach and have been inspired to take the next step on the coaching pathway, then there are lots of upcoming Athletics Coach, Coach in Running Fitness and Event Group courses.