Junior coach programme
For kids that are ready for more responsibility, our Junior Coach Programme builds confidence and leadership through sport, with close support from our senior coaches.
For kids that are ready for more
Our Junior Coach Programme is designed for Year 7 and 8 children who are ready for more responsibility, purpose and challenge, while still staying active and enjoying sport in a supportive environment.
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We created this programme after running local camps for over a year and seeing how well our older children respond when trusted with meaningful roles. As parents ourselves, we know that once children move into secondary school, many don’t love the idea of a traditional “holiday camp”, but equally most families don’t want long days at home on screens.
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This programme is our way of bridging that gap.
What is the Junior Coach Programme?
The Junior Coach Programme is not assistant coaching and it’s not about removing children from the fun of camp.
Instead, it offers a structured, age-appropriate opportunity for older children to:
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take on small leadership roles
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support younger groups
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build confidence, communication and teamwork
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feel trusted and valued
All while still taking part in the sports and games they enjoy.
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Who is it for?
This programme is suitable for:
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Year 7 and 8 children who enjoy being active
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children who like helping others and taking responsibility
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children who may not see themselves as “sporty” but would benefit from building confidence and self belief
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older campers who are ready for a next step
You don’t need to be the loudest or most confident child to take part. Many Junior Coaches grow into the role as the week progresses.
What does it involve?
Junior Coaches will:
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join in with all camp sports and activities
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help lead warm ups and simple tasks
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support younger children during sessions
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share ideas and contribute to daily activities
The balance is carefully managed so children still feel like participants, not staff.
Support and supervision
Places on the programme are very limited. This is intentional so that every Junior Coach receives a high level of support, guidance and mentoring from our senior coaching team. Each Junior Coach will be assigned a Senior Coach Mentor.
Our coaches work closely with Junior Coaches throughout the week, helping them reflect on what they’re learning and celebrating their progress.
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What are the benefits?
Children leave the programme with:
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increased confidence and self belief
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improved communication and leadership skills
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a sense of responsibility and achievement
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positive experiences of helping and leading others
And most importantly, they still have a brilliant time at camp
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How to join
Year 7 and 8 children book onto camp through the normal booking route.
If a Junior Coach place is available, we’ll take care of the rest.
The Junior Coach Programme is currently available at our Wandsworth camp only (Ernest Bevin Academy Location)
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Book your child through the normal booking route on Camp and we will do the rest
An Example week for our Junior Coaches
Monday
Service Name
Communication
Junior Coaches will help explain specific game rules or skills to younger children.
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Each Junior Coach will be given a clear focus so they know exactly what they are responsible for explaining, with a Lead Coach nearby to support and step in if needed.
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They will practise active listening by paying attention when children are speaking, responding thoughtfully, and checking understanding. At the end of the day, we will ask Junior Coaches to reflect on their interactions and share what they felt worked well or could be improved at camp.
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We will also support Junior Coaches in staying calm when communicating, especially when others are distracted or not listening straight away.
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Coaches will model clear, positive communication and help Junior Coaches practise using steady voices and simple instructions rather than shouting or getting frustrated.
Tuesday
Service Name
Resilience & Positivity
Junior Coaches will be encouraged to model a positive attitude during activities, especially when games are challenging or don’t go their way.
They will practise responding to mistakes and losses with effort and optimism rather than frustration.​
They will also be supported in helping younger children manage disappointment. This includes recognising when a child feels upset after losing, offering encouragement, and helping refocus the group on effort, teamwork, and having another go.
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Junior Coaches will practise using positive language to lift energy, such as praising effort, suggesting a reset, or helping the group move on to the next activity.
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Lead Coaches will talk through these moments with Junior Coaches, helping them understand how their attitude and words can change the mood of a group.
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We will highlight examples where Junior Coaches successfully bring the energy back up and support children in bouncing back after a tough moment.
Wednesday
Confidence & Courage
Junior Coaches will be given small opportunities to lead, such as demonstrating a skill, helping set up a game, or supporting a group during an activity. These moments will build gradually so confidence grows over time.
Lead Coaches will encourage and support Junior Coaches before and after these moments, offering reassurance, clear instructions, and positive feedback.
We focus on progress and effort, helping Junior Coaches feel proud of having a go rather than worrying about getting everything right.
Thursday
Team Building
Junior Coaches will help support group activities by encouraging teamwork, fair play, and inclusion. They will be asked to notice who may need extra encouragement and help bring everyone into the activity.
Coaches will model positive team behaviours and talk with Junior Coaches about what good teamwork looks like in real situations.
We will ask the Junior Coaches for their inputs on building equal strength teams across the groups when engaging in a team sport by not putting all the mixing abilities and personalities
We will regularly reflect with them on how the group worked together and what helped the team feel successful.
Friday
Responsibility
On Team Day, each Junior Coach will be given responsibility for a specific team. They will help organise their group, encourage fair play, and support children during activities.
Lead Coaches will clearly explain expectations and check in regularly with Junior Coaches throughout the day.
We will support them in managing small challenges, making good decisions, and reflecting on how it felt to be responsible for a team and what they learned from the experience.