Tag: Sport

“Bringing sport to life for young people is at the heart of effective coaching”

Bringing sport to life for young people is at the heart of effective coaching, and a recent initiative delivered in partnership with Active Schools Edinburgh did exactly that. Organised by Dr Cedric English and Dr Gordon Dunlop, P6 and P7 pupils from three local primary schools—Gylemuir Primary School, Murrayburn Primary School and Broomhouse Primary School—were invited to take part in a series of engaging, two-hour coaching sessions designed to inspire participation, build confidence, and introduce new sporting experiences.

The sessions were delivered by third-year Sports Coaching students from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) as part of their Practical Coaching and Development module. This provided a valuable opportunity for students to apply their learning in a real-world setting, developing their coaching skills while making a meaningful impact in local schools.

Each session was carefully structured to expose pupils to four different activities: volleyball, pickleball, boccia, and a sports science testing station. For many of the children, these were entirely new experiences. Volleyball and pickleball offered fast-paced, skill-based games that encouraged teamwork and coordination, while boccia introduced a more inclusive activity, emphasising precision, strategy, and teamwork.

One of the highlights of the programme was the sports science station, where pupils had the chance to test their physical abilities in a fun and interactive way. Measuring their fastest 10m sprint, highest jump, and quickest reaction times, this element sparked curiosity and excitement, allowing children to engage with the science behind sport. It also encouraged a sense of personal challenge, as pupils (and often teachers!) aimed to improve their own performances.

The value of this varied and inclusive approach was reflected in feedback from participating schools:

“The staff and students were welcoming and inclusive of all learners. The rotations gave children enough time to develop their skills while keeping their interest throughout. The sports science section was a particular highlight, with pupils fascinated by the equipment and enjoying the competitive element. I would be delighted to attend similar sessions with future classes.” Lynsey Joyce, Gylemuir Primary School

From a coaching perspective, the initiative was equally impactful. ENU students were responsible for planning, delivering, and adapting sessions to meet the needs of diverse groups of young participants. This required clear communication, creativity, and the ability to think on their feet—encouraging them to become more reflective and agile practitioners, key attributes for any developing coach. Working across different schools also exposed students to varied environments and learner needs, further enhancing their experience.

Importantly, the sessions fostered a positive and supportive atmosphere where enjoyment was prioritised. Smiles, laughter, and enthusiastic participation were clear indicators of success, and for many pupils, this initiative may represent their first step towards ongoing involvement in sport and physical activity, reinforcing the longer-term value of creating positive early experiences of sport.

This positive experience was also reflected by Amy Maclennaghan from the Active Schools Forrester Hub, who said:

“It was an amazing experience for our pupils from start to finish. They were impressed with the outstanding facilities and enjoyed having so much space compared to the standard gym hall size they are used to. The variety of activities on offer was excellent, and the students’ sessions were engaging and fun.”

Overall, the programme highlights the value of partnerships between universities and local schools. It not only enriches the learning experience of coaching students but also provides young people with access to high-quality, engaging physical activity opportunities. Initiatives like this demonstrate how coaching can extend beyond performance, contributing to community engagement, education, and lifelong participation in sport.

Written by: Dr Gordon Dunlop and Dr Cedric English

 

Former Scotland rugby coach reflects on his time at Edinburgh Napier and discusses his new All Blacks role

Ben Fisher may not be the most recognisable name in the sport of rugby but he may well be one of the most influential. After a successful career playing for Boroughmuir RFC and Edinburgh Rugby, Ben took his experience and knowledge to the training grounds, where he has coached Scotland U16, U18 and U20 teams, as well as working as an Academy Manager and Coach for Scottish Rugby for 10 years. While Ben has been instrumental in the development of Scotland’s 2019 Rugby World Cup squad he’s now changed his navy blue colours for an “All Black” one. Upon graduating from Edinburgh Napier University in 2018 with a Master’s degree in Sports Performance Management, Ben was offered the role as a High-Performance Talent Development Manager for the famous New Zealand national rugby union team, also known as the All Blacks.

Ben’s new position within the All Blacks setup sees him managing the 14-strong Provincial Union Academy structure across New Zealand.  He said, “We have around 400 players in those academies, aged 18 – 21. I work to ensure the players’ holistic development is catered for and that the curriculum delivered in the academies, and personalised player development plans are all of a high standard. The aim is to ensure a steady supply of high-quality professional players; great people, and future winning All Blacks.” Other parts of his role see him perform ambassadorial duties, as he recently embarked on a trip to Japan, ahead of the Rugby World Cup, to represent the All Blacks on promotional duty.

While the All Blacks are currently in Japan, looking to retain the World Cup for a third consecutive time – a feat that has been unrivalled so far – Ben believes his time at Edinburgh Napier has prepared him for such a high-profile position. He said “I chose to study at Edinburgh Napier University as it offered an excellent programme that was tailored to fit the needs of my learning. The university is very supportive of Rugby in general and its collaboration with Scottish Rugby is excellent. They help develop coaches and players in Scotland via the Edinburgh Academy partnership, the UKSS Level 4 coaching course, and also two Super 6 teams.

During my time at university, I learned a lot of new skills and the course also reinforced a lot of the things that I was doing. Critical analysis and reflection skills were well practised, to dig deep into what I do as a practitioner and why. As a coach, you take on a wide range of roles and the course helped to broaden my understanding of sports psychology, pedagogy, leadership and talent development environments. It was excellent to be able to talk and share experiences with other students and the relationships I formed through my research helped to open my eyes to new ideas and gave me confidence in my own coaching behaviour. This has now given me the confidence to challenge current practice based on what I learnt in the course and the experience I gained in my research.”

After many successful years in Scotland, Ben is now back in his native New Zealand, with his family, a globally recognised Master’s degree, and a highly sought-after position at one of the most successful sport squads of all time. So, what would he recommend for anyone who may be interested in following a similar path? “Experience. Gain as much experience as possible through working, but also volunteering in your community.  Learning doesn’t stop: so listen, read, watch and most of all ask people about what they do and why. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas. The more you share, the more the ideas will grow & develop and refine.”