WAVE OF NEW LEVEL 2 COACHES COME THROUGH ITCHEN COLLEGE DISE PATHWAY

Head of Women's Basketball Vicky Milner delivering on the Level 2 Coaching Course

Itchen College has successfully completed the first instalment of the Level 2 Basketball Coaching Qualification for its Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) students, further solidifying the commitment to the development of young athletes both on and off the court. This initiative has been made possible through the support of the DiSE program and the guidance of Sam Messam at Basketball England.

A total of 20 current and former DiSE students have spent time earning their qualification, gaining vital coaching experience and enhancing their skill sets. The course began with an introductory session led by Sam Messam, during which students were taken through the Basketball England Development Framework, laying the foundation for their coaching pathway.

As part of their certification, the DiSE students participated in a full-day workshop designed to build their theoretical knowledge and practical coaching abilities. Following this, they completed their practical assessments by coaching at the Kestrels City League (KCL), Kestrels National League teams, and Itchen College development teams. This hands-on experience provided them with real-world exposure to coaching in both competitive and developmental environments.

Course Lead Vicky Milner, supported by Matt Guymon, has played an instrumental role in guiding the students through the program. Reflecting on the impact of this initiative, Vicky Milner shared:

"We are very thankful to Basketball England for offering this fantastic opportunity to our DiSE athletes. This provides an important qualification to these young athletes, who may not have previously considered coaching. We have already seen in a short period of time, the development of their confidence, communication, organisation, and leadership skills through the workshops and practical assessments.

We are now able to utilise these qualified coaches in our community coaching and assistant coaching roles throughout the club, easing the pressures of coaching shortages which are seen nationwide."

This successful rollout marks a significant step forward in providing young basketball players with alternative pathways in the sport, equipping them with coaching qualifications that will not only benefit their personal development but also contribute to the wider basketball community.