Pupils at Stratford Primary School were treated a day out in the sun during the last week of term with a coaching clinic by a group of young coaches from Stratford High School.
As part of the 'Growing Coaches Programme' through Sport Taranaki, students from Stratford High School's Year 12 sport and health classes led coaching sessions in a range of different sports.
Guy Honnor, evaluation and reporting co-ordinator at Sport Taranaki, says the programme is about developing the students leadership skills. "It gives the students an introduction to coaching and hopefully they get the coaching bug and put their hand up to take on coaching local teams."
Guy adds that Stratford High School is one of only four secondary schools in the region participating in the programme. Matt Cleaver, head of sport at Stratford High School, says along with developing leadership skills with the students, the practical sessions with Stratford Primary School helps encourage the junior students to participate in team sports. Matt says that research shows that 90 per cent of students in year one and two in New Zealand are not involved in team sports. "Which is a shame because team sports teach valuable lessons such as how to work together, confidence and leadership." The Growing Coaches Programme saw the secondary school students complete an eight session course on how to coach a team effectively, followed by a two hour session on what skills to coach.