Frequently asked questions
A list of frequently asked questions with answers!
- Recruiting volunteers
- Careers in leisure
- What is sport development?
- A day in the life of a sport development officer
- What is play development?
- A day in the life of a play development officer
- How do I become a sport or play development officer?
- How do I become a sports coach or an assistant sports coach?
- How do I become a sport leader or play worker?
- Profile of work at Ancholme Leisure Centre
- How do I become a recreational assistant?
- How do I find a job in leisure?
- What is sport equity?
Volunteering is vital for sport. Many clubs rely on volunteers so it is important to acknowledge the benefits gained. However, it is a two way process where both the club and the volunteer should benefit.
- Gain experience
- Develop interpersonal and technical skills
- New qualifications
- Enhance your CV
- Enjoyment for sport
- Meet new people
- Give something back to the local community
- Personal achievement
- Community Volunteers Award
- Keep in close contact with local sporting initiatives
- Search for volunteering opportunities using websites and find your local volunteer bureau (see the Volunteer Development England website)
How does your club recruit volunteers?
- Start looking in plenty of time
- Appoint a volunteer coordinator from your club
- Define the post and why it is important
- State the numbers of hours for the post
- Number of volunteers required
- Roles and responsibilities
- Skills and qualifications needed
- Skills developed
- State the benefits for the volunteer
- Advertise using local media
- Promote the club so people want to invest time and effort
- Recruitment leaflets or posters for schools, colleges and universities
- Inductions to meet everyone in the club
- Motivation for example, set objectives so they have something to achieve
- Incentives
- Support and guidance for example, use a sports volunteer action or support plan. To receive a volunteer support plan contact 01472 323388
- Have a volunteering profile for members to complete
- Thank and appreciate volunteers
- Feedback to the volunteer
- Training opportunities
Internal volunteers
- Ask people to volunteer such as parents and relatives of those participating
- Information leaflet about jobs that need to be done
- Word of mouth, notice boards, newsletters to publicise for more volunteers
External volunteers
- Use local media for sporting activities and advertise volunteer opportunities
- Contact schools, colleges and universities
- Students undergoing training
- All ages, abilities and skills
- Contact your local bureau to advertise volunteering opportunities
- PE professionals, teachers and school
“Volunteering is valuable to both you and the organisation you are working for. You gain essential real life experience as well as giving something back to your community.”
Rachel Sullivan (Volunteer)
The National Centre for Volunteering
This national organisation offers a range of services for organisations that
involve volunteers.
www.volunteering.org
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations
This is an umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England. It is a membership
organisation providing useful information.
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk and www.askncvo.org.uk
Volunteer Development England
This national organisation represents 350 volunteer bureaus in England. Every
major town and city in England has a volunteer bureau which are valuable to
sport clubs and can be found on this website.
www.vde.org.uk
Do-it (Volunteering to suit your needs)
This national organisation links closely with volunteer bureaus and community
councils. You can search for voluntary work that suits you.
www.do-it.org.uk
Reach
The aim is to recruit volunteers who have experience in business, The professions
or management.
volwork@btinternet.com
TimeBank
Awareness of giving time to new volunteers is the focus for TimeBank.
www.timebank.org.uk
The Experience Corps
Encourages all people aged 50 and over to offer their experience and skills
to their local community.
www.experiencecorps.co.uk
Child protection for safety in sport unit
All paid staff and volunteers working for North Lincolnshire Council Leisure
Services are required to meet standards of good practice recommended by the
Child Protection Safety in Sport Unit www.thecpsu.org.uk
Careers in sport and recreation are very diverse covering, for example, professional sport, coaching, sport and exercise science, sport and play development, teaching physical education, sports centre management, and outdoor pursuits.
The Sport, Play and Community Development Team are here to improve the community’s opportunities to participate and develop through play, sport and active recreation.
To increase opportunities for people to take part in sport and active recreation across North Lincolnshire, irrespective of age, gender, level of ability or social or economic background.
A day in the life of a sport development officer
A sport development officer has an area of focus, for example, active communities, active schools or young people. No two days are the same and the hours and flexible. it’s not 9am to 5pm.
| A day in the life of a Sport Development Officer | |
| 8.30am | Catching up on office work – emails, telephone calls, web updates paperwork |
| 10am | Team meeting |
| 12 noon | Lunch |
| 12.30pm | Meetings with antisocial project groups, disability groups ad organisations, educational providers, for example, British Sport Trust or National Governing Bodies, local community sporting groups, funding providers for example, HeartWell, other council partnerships, BEMSport, Humber Sports Partnership or equity groups |
| 4.30pm to 5.00pm | Writing reports, telephone calls |
| 7pm to 9pm | Occasional meetings with partners |
To provide advice and support to extend and increase play opportunities for all children and young people across North Lincolnshire, irrespective of age, gender, level of ability or social or economic background.
A day in the life of a play development officer
No two days are the same and hours are flexible. it’s not 9am to 5pm.
| A day in the life of a play development officer | |
| Day 1 | |
| 7.30am | Office – paper work, telephone calls, preparation for meetings, budget management |
| 10am | Team meeting |
| 12 noon | Lunch |
| 12.30pm | Drive to Scunthorpe from Brigg for a meeting |
| 1pm | Meeting with some partner agencies |
| 3pm | Return to Brigg |
| 3.30pm | Follow up work from above meetings (often interrupted by other staff or telephone calls which generate additional work) |
| 5.30pm | Finish |
| Day 2 | |
| 9.15am | Pick up colleague |
| 9.40am | Arrive for site visit – monitor staff to ensure they are carrying out their duties correctly and in a professional manner |
| 10.20am | Leave site and travel to next visit |
| 10.45am | Monitor staff and scheme – this visit took slightly longer than anticipated due to a number of queries that I was able to resolve |
| 11.45am | Travel to next site visit |
| 11.55am | Monitor staff and scheme and provide advice |
| 12.30pm | Leave site and return to Brigg |
| 1.00pm | Lunch on the move |
| 1.15pm | Assorted admin tasks and telephone calls. Completion of the monitoring information from the days site visits |
| 2.15pm | Meeting to discuss website development |
| 2.45pm | Budget management |
| 3.30pm | General admin |
| 4pm | Leave office for own time |
| 7pm | Go to assist colleague in the administration of CRB forms for a hockey club |
| 8.15pm | Leave club |
Roles and responsibilities for a sport and play development officer
- Strategic planning for projects
- Liasing with partner agencies
- Evaluating and assessing projects and programmes
- Establishing links with sport clubs and schools
- Informal and formal meetings
- Events to engage and to talk to young people
- Reports and formal documents
- Organised events
- Deliver training
- Manage and monitor staff
- Support management committees
- Being a partner within other partnerships
- Team member
- Representing Leisure Services on a regional level in terms of sport and play
- Managing budgets
How do I become a sport or play development officer?
Practical experience
- Get involved in the delivery of sport and play
- Complete a variety of sport and play qualifications
- Work or volunteer as a sport or play leader
- Help at regular events
- Complete work experience and/or voluntary work
- Begin as an assistant sport or play development officer developing towards a sport or play development officer
Knowledge, skill and qualifications required
- Degree
- Experience in working with partner agencies
- Awards in coaching
- An understanding of local, regional and national sport strategies
Personal skills
- Motivation
- Enthusiasm
- Organisation
- Team and individual responsibilities
- Good initiative
- Good communication
- Prioritise workloads
- Meet deadlines
Assistant sport development officer
This is a good stepping-stone to becoming a sport development officer.
Qualities required:
- Self-motivated
- Team player
- Committed to a range of sports
- Excellent communicator
- Understanding the role of voluntary sport clubs and Governing Bodies within Sport Development
We provide several posts in leisure and active recreation:
Sport coaches
Coaches are essential at every sporting level. Coaching involves working with teams or individuals and identifying, implementing and monitoring programmes. Nutrition, injuries and sport science are other aspects a coach should understand.
Duties:
Sport coaches plan, organise and lead coaching sessions that will enhance the performance of the participants.
Assistant sports coaches also assists in the planning, organisation and running of coaching sessions.
Qualities required as a Coach:
- Good communication and demonstration skills
- Enthusiasm
- Motivation
- Organisation
- Good initiative
How do I become a sports coach or an assistant sports coach?
- Relevant and recognised qualifications in coaching
- Each sport has its own training programme (click here to see our Leisure Services training programme)
- Schools and colleges provide opportunities for coaching qualifications
What is a sport or play leader?
Plan, organise and lead sport or play activities at various sites throughout North Lincolnshire during school holidays.
Duties:
- Provide leisure activities that enable the social and physical development of children and young people
- Be responsible for equipment and facilities used by the scheme
- Undertake as required appropriate administrative duties as directed by the sports or play development officer
- Be responsible for safety, health and welfare of all attendees
- Attend training courses as directed
How do I become a sport or play leader?
Getting involved as a sport or play leader is simple. North Lincolnshire Council often recruit volunteers and paid workers for this role. During school holidays several schemes are put into action where sport and play leaders are needed. See our courses available to find out what’s going on and contact the team to find out how you can help.
Recreational assistant
This role is for enthusiastic and highly motivated individuals who help deliver a first class standard of assistance and supervision to customers at leisure centres.
Profile of work at Ancholme Leisure Centre
Name: Mark Morris
Occupation: Recreational Assistant / Relief Operations Manager
Roles and responsibilities:
Recreational Assistant
- Pool lifeguard
- First aider
- Coach and/or swimming teacher
- Gym instructor and personal trainer
- Circuit and exercise class instructor
- Football coach
- Snorkel instructor
- Coach various summer and half term activities, for example, archery or football
- Receptionist
- Café and Bar assistant
Relief Operation Manager
- Ensure all health and safety measures of the building and its users are maintained at all times
- Smooth running at all times
- Pool plant operator (water)
- Manage staff
- Key holder
Qualifications:
- National Pool Lifeguard (Royal Life Saving Society)
- Swimming Teacher Level 2
- UEFA B Level 3 football
- Pool Plant Operator
- Basic Food Hygiene
- Basic Health & Safety
- First Aid at work
- Gym Instructor/ Personal fitness trainer Level 2
- GP referral steps qualification
- City in Guilds part 1/2/3/4 in Sport and Recreation
- Institute of Sport & Management (ISRM) Technician Certificate
- NVQ level 3 Sport & Recreation
- Circuit training Level 2
- Archery Instructor
- Snorkelling Instructor
Time at current employment: 4 years
Name: Rachel McDonnald
Occupation: Recreation Assistant
Roles and responsibilities:
“My role is to be an efficient time keeper and team member. This involves carrying out the duties of a lifeguard and maintaining the centre to ensure members of the public are happy. I have also been given opportunities to train as a coach. I now coach circuit training, teach swimming and I am a gym instructor.”
Qualifications:
- National Pool Lifeguard (Royal Life Saving Society) involving first aid, resuscitation and rescuing
- NVQ Level 2 fitness instructor (YMCA)
- Assistant Swimming teacher
Time at current employment: 2 1/2 years
Name: Carl Carter
Occupation: Recreational Assistant
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Pool lifeguard
- Gym instructor
- Swimming teacher for all ages
- First aider
- Circuit classes
- Cleaning
Qualifications:
- National Pool Lifeguard (Royal Life Saving Society)
- First Aid at work
- Site Specific responsibilities
- Circuit YMCA Level 2
- Gym YMCA Level 2
- Sport & Recreation Level 2
- Food Hygiene
- Safety at work
Time at current employment: 4 years. Started as a casual worker then got a full time position after finishing college.
Name: Vicky Bellamy
Occupation: Recreation Assistant
Roles and responsibilities:
- Pool lifeguard
- Swimming instructor
- First aider
- Site specific
- Setting up and dismantling sport equipment such as badminton, football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis and tennis
- Setting up functions such as weddings, dance competitions
- Cleaning
Qualifications:
- National Pool Lifeguard (Royal Life Saving Society)
- ASA Preliminary and full teachers award
- First Aid at work
- Food Hygiene
Time at current employment: 11 years in total. Last 4 years part time and job share
How do I become a recreational assistant?
Ideally, you will hold a lifesaving qualification (pool lifeguard preferred), a recognised first aid qualification and demonstrate willingness to train as a swimming instructor.
If you are interested in working in a diverse and challenging environment providing a wide range of sports and leisure facilities, contact an Operations Manager at:
- Scunthorpe Leisure Centre on 01724 280555
- Ancholme Leisure Centre on 01652 652031
- Riddings Pool on 01724 280666
- Epworth Leisure Centre on 01427 873845
For more information about leisure centres in North Lincolnshire click here
All paid staff and volunteers working for North Lincolnshire Council Leisure Services are required to meet standards of good practice recommended by the Child Protection Safety in Sport Unit www.thecpsu.org.uk these include:
- Having the relevant skills and qualifications to work with children
- Providing two references confirming their suitability to work with children
- Obtaining a satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau Clearance
- Complying with our published standard of ethics and conduct (link to code of ethics and conduct)
How do I find a job in leisure?
Jobs with the council are advertised on the North Lincolnshire website www.northlincs.gov.uk and in Direct magazine. The links below are also useful for finding a career in sport and recreation:
Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM)
Works on behalf of its members to develop the profession and promote the value
of investment in leisure services. Become a member to find out about current
jobs. Become a member to find out about current jobs.
www.ilam.co.uk
Sport England
Promotes sport and physical activity across England to get people more active.
Search for jobs within Sport England or external sport vacancies.
www.sportengland.org.uk
Leisure Management
Provides jobs and careers in leisure all over the UK.
www.leisureopportunities.co.uk
Local Government Jobs
Search for suitable jobs by job title or other key words, download and request
application forms.
www.lgjobs.com
Regeneration and Renewal
Search simple or advance the database using key words and you can apply online.
www.regenerationmagazine.com
Jobsgopublic
Provides information on careers and job opportunities in the public sector
www.jobsgopublic.com
Sport equity is about fairness in sport. It is important for everyone to have equal opportunities and the right to enjoy sport. Therefore it is essential that it is easily accessible for all.
The main aspects of sport equity are:
- Recognising inequalities
- Access
- Fairness
- Taking action
Sport equity targets the inclusion of girls, women, ethnic minority communities, disabled people and those from low income groups.
Barriers to participation:
- Assumptions
- Attitudes of others
- Previous negative experiences
- Lack of information
- Poor communication
- Fear of discrimination and/or unwelcoming environment
- Low self-esteem
- Poor facilities
- Poor timing
- Inconvenient venue
- Other commitments
Types of inequitable behaviour
This can be:
- Verbal such as racist or sexist language
- Written such as graffiti or mobile phone text messaging
- Physical such as pushing or biting
Why clubs should have sport equity
It is important that no one should be excluded from participating in sport. Opportunities created should benefit the whole community and not be restrictive or inaccessible to anyone because of ethnic origin, disability, sexuality, religion or other factors that may affect inclusion.
- Develop an awareness of sport equity
- Recognise inequalities and take action
- Develop an equity policy
- Establish a code of conduct
- Have a commitment to equal opportunities
- Sport programmes need to realistic and challenging
- Coaches and club volunteers should attend training on sports equity
- Seek advice
Sporting organisations have a moral and sometimes legal obligation to be equitable.
