At Active Essex, we are passionate about creating opportunities for everyone to see what a career in sport, physical activity and wellbeing can look like. Through our Women and Girls Like Us (WGLU) campaign, we aim to challenge stereotypes, spotlight real experiences and inspire the next generation to find their place in the sector.
This spring, we welcomed a young girl currently studying Sports Coaching at college to complete 30 hours of work experience with the Active Essex team. Her time with us offered a behind-the-scenes look at the many career pathways are available within the sport and physical activity sector.
“I wanted first-hand experience with Active Essex and a deeper dive into what they do and how they help communities be more active.”
Her placement began with an induction day at the office, giving her an introduction to Active Essex, our role within the county and how we work with partners to support people to be more active. She spent time with the communications and marketing team, learning about marketing methods and how stories are shared to reach different audiences across Essex.
“A highlight for me working at Active Essex was learning about all the different areas within one organisation and seeing what goes on behind the scenes of branding and promoting each event”
Whilst she was with us, she was able to attend the Key Stage 1 PE, School Sport and Physical Activity Awards in Chelmsford. The event welcomed over 90 pupils from more than 20 schools, across morning and afternoon sessions, celebrating achievements in physical activity at a young age.
On the day, she supported the running of the event and even stepped into the role of Bezzy, Active Essex’s mascot, gaining confidence, interacting with children and experiencing how events bring joy and energy into physical activity spaces.
The pupils and teachers enjoyed a range of activities, including:
- Essex Cricket in the Community sessions
- A parkrun UK-style warm-up
- Hydration stations from Essex Healthy Schools, encouraging healthy habits throughout the day
She also observed coaching delivery first-hand, how engaging and inclusive sessions are built into activity for young people.
“Being able to go to some events and actually be involved in setting up and organising but also being part of hosting an event with the Active Essex team was really useful. As I learnt the importance of being part of a team and seeing first-hand what goes into running an organisation.”
To broaden her understanding of how sport and physical activity is funded and sustained, she attended the Meet the Funders event, which brought together over 50 individuals from across the sector. This experience showcased the importance of partnerships, investment and collaboration, areas of work that are often less visible to young people considering a career in sport.
Not only that but the young person visited a Move With Us Leaders Academy session in Harlow, which had 40 young children attend as well as 12 young leaders. This gave her valuable insight into leadership development and how young people can build confidence, skills and pathways through physical activity. The programme demonstrates how sport can be valuable for personal growth, particularly for women and girls.
“I will take away from Active Essex that sport is much more than running and football. You have to plan and organise each part carefully”
This work experience placement highlights exactly what Women and Girls Like Us is about, real stories, real experiences and visible pathways. By exposing young women to a wide range of roles across events, communications, partnerships and leadership, we help challenge the idea that sport careers look just one way.
As she continues her studies in sports coaching, we hope this experience has expanded her aspirations and confidence to pursue opportunities across the sector.
“My work experience has changed the way I view opportunities for women in the sport and physical activity sector. I saw a very diverse workspace with both men and women and saw how women also have a role within helping in the sport and physical activity sector. Seeing women represented in these roles is such a big confidence boost for every girl looking to go into the sports and physical activity sector as it gives them a reason to push for the role and job they’d like, knowing it is possible”
We really enjoyed spending time with this young person and supporting her through a range of opportunities across the organisation. It has been a pleasure to see her confidence grow as she explored what a career in sport, physical activity and wellbeing can look like beyond coaching alone. We wish her the very best of luck with her studies and future ambitions.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the wide range of opportunities available within the physical activity sector, visit the Active Essex Careers Hub, where you can explore pathways and roles from across the industry.
At Active Essex, we are passionate about creating opportunities for everyone. Through campaigns like WGLU, we aim to open doors, challenge perceptions and inspire the next generation to see themselves reflected in careers across sport, physical activity and wellbeing.
