Katie and Nicole are both students at Hopwood Hall College who became involved with the Rochdale Borough School Games Partnership (RBSGP) through leadership opportunities linked to local School Games delivery.
Over time, they have supported events across Rochdale, from Enjoy and Engage activity sessions to Excel level borough preliminaries and finals.
What began as a learning opportunity developed into a meaningful pathway for both young leaders.
The Starting Point
Neither Katie nor Nicole began their journey as confident leaders.
Katie reflects that during secondary school she struggled with attendance and lacked focus, aside from a strong interest in football.
Nicole, by contrast, describes herself as quiet and unsure of how to lead or communicate with large groups.
Their early involvement in School Games events placed them in unfamiliar situations, including swim galas and SEND‑specific festivals. These experiences required them to adapt quickly, problem-solve, and grow in confidence through practice rather than instruction alone.
Developing Skills Through Delivery
Through regular involvement in School Games delivery, both leaders developed core skills that benefitted events and participants, while supporting their own progression.
- Inclusive practice: Katie and Nicole have both gained experience in SEND delivery. Nicole now plans sessions with greater awareness of how activities feel from a participant’s point of view, while Katie has developed confidence in adapting activities in real time, particularly in sports such as Boccia and New Age Kurling.
- Confidence and decision-making: Katie describes a significant shift in confidence: “I started off not wanting to lead, but now I actively take control. I’ve learned the need for contingencies and gained the confidence to make decisions on the go.”
- Progression and next steps: Their involvement acted as a clear route into further opportunities. Nicole recently secured a competitive internship with Tameside Sports Partnership, motivated by positive experiences supporting children who were initially reluctant to take part. Katie has moved from low attendance at school and college to enrolling on the Sport, Coaching and Analysis degree and a starting a part-time career in professional coaching with Rochdale FC.
- Wider Impact and Future Ambitions: While supporting the Girls’ FA programme, Katie and Nicole identified a lack of local football opportunities for younger girls, including for Nicole’s younger sister. Rather than accepting this gap, they are now working towards their qualifications with the aim of establishing a junior girls’ team in the area.
Julie Roberts and Emma Mooney reflect:
“Both girls have been exemplary a real credit to themselves. They demonstrate the mutual benefit of these programmes — school pupils receive high-quality events and activities delivered by relatable leaders, while young leaders gain experience that supports their future careers and a life-long involvement in sport and physical activity.”
Katie and Nicole’s ambition reflects a wider impact of the School Games: developing young people who not only support events but also contribute to longer-term community sport provision.
Conclusion
The partnership between Hopwood Hall College and RBSGP demonstrates how the School Games can support meaningful leadership development alongside high-quality delivery.
For Katie and Nicole, the programme has provided practical experience, clear progression routes, and the confidence to shape their own futures within sport and physical activity.
