Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure

Progression Case Study:

Higher level – A-Level

Introduction

Meera is a 21 year old living in East Anglia, having recently completed a two year foundation degree course in Leisure Management is actively seeking employment in a local leisure facility where she can pursue her short term career ambitions to become a leisure centre manager.

At the age of 14, Meera was academically gifted but unsure of a particular career path and although she enjoyed singing and drama, being active was what gave her a real buzz. Playing netball and hockey for her school team and attending summer school play schemes and sports camps at her local leisure centre had often left her considering a career in the sport and leisure sector.

Having decided to undertake the Higher Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure, Meera was able to express her enthusiasm for the sector and develop a greater understanding of the job roles available, types of progression routes and develop the skills that employers look for. Throughout her Diploma learning, Meera found that she particularly enjoyed encouraging community participation and business aspects of the course and began to strongly consider a career in leisure management. Upon successful completion of the Higher Diploma, Meera decided that taking A-levels would be the most suitable route for her with a strong focus on Sport and Physical Education and Applied Business. To accompany her studies, Meera made use of the Level 2 industry qualifications she had achieved whilst studying the Diploma to get a part time job in a leisure centre and gain valuable work experience to accompany her learning.

After completing her A-levels, Meera decided that she would need a few industry specific qualifications to enter the workforce at management level so she decided to further her understanding of the sector by studying a foundation degree that would provide her with greater transferable and management skills that would further enhance her employability options.

Diploma Details

Diploma Title: Higher Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure

Principle learning: Mandatory units – 420 GLH

Active and healthy lifestyle choices

Encouraging participation in sport/ active leisure

The role of science in sport and exercise

Working in sport/ active leisure in your community

Running a business in sport/ active leisure

Impact of the media on sport/ active leisure

The customer experience

Access for all in sport/ active leisure

Generic Learning: - 200 GLH

Personal learning and thinking skills (PLTS)(60 GLH), a minimum 10days work experience and an extended Project, demonstrating independent learning and enquiry relevant to a subject or sector (60 GLH) and Functional Skills (80 GLH).

Additional/ Specialist Learning, Extended Project and Work Experience

Additional / Specialist Learning:- 180 GLH

As Meera understood that she needed specific industry qualifications, she decided to take a number of additional/ specialist learning courses and qualifications that would be helpful for a career as a leisure centre manager. Her keen interest in Netball meant that she had already achieved a Level 1 award, however, because she wanted to volunteer as an assistant coach at a nearby club she decided to complete her Level 2 Netball Coaching Award(1st4Sport – 34 GLH). This meant she could improve her skills set and experience both in netball but also in a coaching environment. Meera fortunately turned 16 in the September, so she was able to take two courses which required her to be apost 16 learner early in the year. She achieved her National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (IQL UK – 38 GLH)and Pool Plant Operators Certificate Course (Active IQ – 60 GLH)which allowed her to work as a lifeguard at a swimming pool as long as she maintained attendance in monthly competency training as well as offer understanding of management and maintenance of swimming facilities in preparation for part time work in a leisure centre. Having completed three courses directly related to leisure centre operations and assisting in the delivery of leisure activities, Meera felt that she needed to gain skills which would help her to understand what will be required of her in a management position. As a result, Meera completed the Level 2 Certificate in Employment and Skills (NCFE – 60 GLH).

Extended Project:

For her extended project, Meera was keen to involve the community as she felt this would provide her a good level of understanding of their needs and wants, as a result she chose to create an activity scheme to involve older adults in leisure activities. Meera carried out small focus group meetings with older adults (aged 60 +) in a local retirement development, at a local Women’s Institute meeting, and at a senior’s Ballroom dancing class. She encouraged those taking part to discuss whether they are physically active, what holds them back from doing more exercise, and what activities would encourage them to increase their participation levels.

From her results Meera wrote a brief report and created a proposed activity programme based on her findings. Meera found she became really involved in the project and after having presented it to the groups of participants was told by many involved that they would love for her project to be implemented in the local area. She approached a number of local community centres to see whether they could implement the activity regime in their plans and was delighted to receive news that one local centre had taken her ideas on board on integrated them into a over 60’s evening running one a week where by participants would be able to enjoy various activities.

Work Experience:

Meera completed her work experience at her local Council run leisure centre. She was there for two weeks. During the first week she worked with the leisure assistants, helping to prepare and clean the facilities, answer queries and greet visitors at the reception desk, and complete simple administration tasks.Having impressed during the first week Meera was invited to shadow the management team during the second week, assisting with marketing, operations management, and customer service. Her National Pool Plant Operators Certificate was useful for this as she was able to assist in the swimming pool operation, taking water tests and backwashing the spa pool.During this final week Meera was given a mini project to complete. With the summer holidays coming up, she put together a programme of summer activities for under 16’s to increase participation of youth in the community. This included a range of sports activities such as 5-a-side football, a short tennis tournament, junior circuit classes, and a ‘fun day’ for families on the August bank holiday. The scheme was authorised by the general manager and became an instant success for the centre which has continued to run the project each year with Meera invited along as a special guest referee for the fun day events each year.