Getting to Know: Ignite Sport Primary School Coach, Emma Bush

Sport has the ability to empower and inspire people of all ages and abilities – and coaches sit at the heart of participants’ acquisition of new skills and personal development.  

Experiencing this from both sides is Ignite Sport coach Emma Bush. Emma joined our team in 2015 and supports the provision of sport at foundation level across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Wiltshire as our Primary School Coach and Lead Holiday Camp Coach.  

But she is also an elite athlete and represents NBL Division One basketball club Thames Valley Cavaliers. We spoke to Emma to learn more about how coaches and elite athletes have a responsibility to positively impact participants at all levels of the sports participation pyramid.  

Sports coaching  

Emma’s pathway into coaching was first facilitated by her father, who coached in Wycombe Wanderers’ Development Centre while she was growing up.  

Being around an elite environment from a young age inspired Emma to pursue playing football – and she represented Arsenal before focusing on her basketball career.  

“Seeing players learn, have fun and progress their skills from my dad’s sessions is how I developed an interest in coaching,” said Emma. “It was great to be present in an elite environment from a young age and has helped me understand exactly how important outside influence can be in my current role.  

“Sometimes, a fresh face or branded tracksuit is all it takes to really bring the best out of participants.”  

Inclusive delivery  

One of Emma’s key responsibilities at Ignite Sport is to deliver quality yet inclusive physical education sessions in primary school settings across Oxfordshire.  

This requires her to work closely with internal PE coordinators to plan weekly hour-long sessions which are delivered to pupils in reception to year six. Sessions will focus on developing key life skills including communication, teamwork and problem solving and feature a mix of sports such as:  

· Archery 

· Football  

· Quidditch  

Emma added: “A priority for us is to ensure every session we deliver is fun for all participants. When pupils are having fun, they’re not viewing what they are doing as education – and that’s when we get the best development and progression results.  

“We work closely with schools to tailor our sessions to suit their requirements with some opting to have an end-of-term assessment built into our programme.”  

Supporting development 

Our school packages are developed in line with the national curriculum and provide schools a flexible solution to Key Stage 1 and 2 PE delivery.  

It means pupils are entitled to a quality educational and development pathway while teachers take their PPA (planning, preparation and assessment) time.  

Emma added: “Each week we’ll gently progress the skills we teach pupils. It could be we focus on dribbling and ball control during week one, and then introduce matchday scenarios a week later.  

“This process supports overall development while retaining our goal for sessions to be fun and engaging.”  

Elite pathway  

Away from Ignite Sport, Emma is a talented basketball player and represents Thames Valley Cavaliers and is captain of Swindon Shock.  

She was inspired to play basketball by her former PE teacher, who realised Emma’s potential and encouraged her to put more time into the sport.  

Emma added: “Without the support and guidance of my former coaches, I would never be representing Thames Valley Cavaliers or Swindon Shock.  

“To me, that underlines the importance of using experienced and qualified coaches to deliver sessions at foundation level. They can break down the barriers participants may face and inspire them to reach new levels.”  

Want to learn more?  

If you would like Emma to be part of your school’s physical education delivery, why not learn more about our school sport services by emailing info@ignitesportuk.com today or calling 0300 303 0890.  

Alternatively, spaces on our upcoming Easter holiday camps can be booked now by clicking here.