Last Thursday saw the launch of the Abingdon School in Partnership Primary Multisports club. This is the second year this club has run and its popularity can be seen in the growing number of Abingdon School Lower Sixth coaches and local primary school students who have signed up for it. Every Thursday period 8 since the beginning of November, 12 Lower Sixth students from Abingdon have met with Mr Southwell-Sander and discussed the skills associated with sports coaching. Advice has also been given from Mr Axon and Mr Bates about how to plan a coaching session, behaviour management, safeguarding and skill development. Last week they coached each other to help develop their skills of teamwork and communication, before being faced with 25 enthusiastic and energetic Year 5 and 6 children from many of our local partner primary schools. The session was focussed on passing in rugby and involved a dynamic warm up, some discreet handling practice before a large and very loud game of rugby ‘Capture the Flag’. The Abingdon students effectively put into practice what we had discussed in the classroom, reacted and adapted well to the challenges of managing a large group and the session was fun and engaging. The primary school students worked hard, listened, practiced rugby passing and most of all really enjoyed themselves. Next week the coaches who observed this week will have a chance to put into practice their plans. The aim of the program is twofold; offer partner students an opportunity to be active and improve their sports skills, while for the Lower Sixth coaches it’s a chance to develop communication, teamwork, resilience and empathy. The club is set to run for the rest of the academic year.
