Sapphire Goddard
Extended Diploma in Sport Level 3 (Development, Coaching and Fitness)
North Devon Campus
“When I first started at Petroc I was on an A Level programme. However, I soon found that this way of learning and the strong focus on exams wasn’t for me. I’m much more suited to learning in a practical way and completing coursework.
I’ve always been interested in sport and competed at a regional level for swimming when I was younger. Even before switching to the BTEC, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in this industry after college, and set my sights on Bath University.
Because I did well in my GCSEs there was an assumption that I’d do A Levels, and other options weren’t really presented to me. I didn’t think that I’d be able to go to university without doing A Levels, which I now obviously know isn’t true. In fact, I think my options have been increased since switching to the BTEC as, if I’d carried on with A Levels, I don’t think I’d be as focussed as I am now. I’m not saying A Levels are worse than BTECs, it’s just a different way of learning and I’m more suited to the latter.
I enjoy many aspects of my course, but I found the Nutrition and Anatomy and Physiology modules particularly interesting. I’ve always loved healthy foods and healthy living, so I have been able to apply what I’ve learnt to my own lifestyle.
The facilities at Petroc are excellent, and I am a regular user of the gym. Since I’ve been going I’ve seen a steady increase in the number of users, especially females, which is great. The prices are really reasonable and the opening times are good, so hopefully more and more people will be encouraged to use it.
Through my course I’ve had several opportunities to take part in extra-curricular activities. Last year I went to Romania with the Tag Rugby Trust, to teach the sport in remote parts of the country. It taught me many new skills in terms of teaching; the children couldn’t speak English so we had to adapt our teaching style accordingly and really focus on communication skills to overcome the language barrier. It was a fantastic experience and I’m going again this year.
I’ve recently secured a conditional offer from Bath University to study Sport and Social Sciences. Through a gifted and talented programme I took part in at school, I’ve had the opportunity to try several winter sports and, at Bath, I’ll be able to pursue this further, which I’m really excited about.
In the future I’d like to get into sport marketing and promotion, for someone like Octagon [sports marketing company] or Nike. In the third year of my university course I’ll get to go on a work placement. I know that Octagon is one of the options and I really hope I get to go there as, if I make a good impression, it might lead to further work experience or even employment in the future.
My advice to anyone wanting to follow a similar path to me would be; do your research. I fell into A Levels, even though they weren’t right for me, when a BTEC was a better option to get me on the university course that I wanted. There are loads of options out there so make sure you pick what’s right for you and don’t be scared to make a change if you feel it’s the right thing to do.”