Last week, 91 University of Edinburgh students have begun their participation in the Sports Union’s tailored versions of the Edinburgh Award. The award aims to provide students with critical transferable skills in areas such as leadership, time management, and self-awareness. By documenting and reflecting on their personal development, students participating in the award are well-positioned to showcase their achievements and skills to prospective employers, enhancing employability by highlighting development outside formal academic work.The Leadership Edinburgh Award brings together both Club and Intramural sports volunteers in a supportive learning environment, where they can grow their network while developing their skills. Last week’s opening session set the tone for the year ahead, with a focus on leadership styles, managing conflict, handling difficult conversations, and effective communication styles. Students have now selected specific skills to develop over the year, with many focusing on networking, decision-making, time management, and creativity.The Coaching version of the Edinburgh Award provides a platform for student coaches to develop their understanding of effective coaching strategies. This year’s cohort includes a diverse range of coaches, representing sports from American Football to Rifle, and Hockey to Netball. Participants bring varied experience levels, from beginners with a few weeks of experience to seasoned coaches with over six years on the field. The first session included part one of a sport psychology module, delivered by Edinburgh University Sport & Exercise staff, introducing essential sports psychology concepts, including communication, environments, and understanding athlete psychology.Throughout the year, the Edinburgh Awards will feature a series of skills development sessions led by both internal and external speakers, each designed to enrich the students’ knowledge and create positive learning environments for our students. This article was published on 2024-10-28
