Peer leadership

The athletics peer leadership program engages high school students in creating and sustaining a culture of lifelong student leadership development, training and education. This program seeks to empower students to become everyday leaders by facilitating and encouraging opportunities for co-curricular learning, self-reflection and skill development. We aim to develop leaders who embody the school's core values of respect, responsibility, kindness, integrity and the courage to act.

All high school students are welcome to participate and take on one or more of the following roles to lead and to play a greater role in the ASL athletics community:

Coach
Official
Athletic trainer
Sports journalist

Students who take part in this program enjoy working with our youngest athletes, as well as being mentored by experienced members of staff. Students are given opportunities to reflect on learning goals; expand, refine, and build new skills; share ideas; teach one another and solve problems within their school community.

Expectations

Student coaches

Student coaches are assigned to a middle school sports team to assist an adult coach. Students are expected to:

Attend all training days (once a week)
Be ready to lead sections of, or whole, practice sessions
Be present at tournaments and festivals/jamboree days

Student officials

Student officials are scheduled to officiate games at ASL. This could be during the week, or on Saturdays. Students are expected to:

Communicate well with the officials coordinator
Always arrive 30 minutes in advance of scheduled games
Communicate clearly to colleagues, coaches and athletes

There is always a member of the athletics department assigned to assist as needed at every game.

Student athletic trainers

Student athletic trainers assist ASL's Athletic Trainer in their job to provide health care to athletes. Students will learn to provide basic support for athletes. Students are expected to:

Be present on scheduled training days
Attend tournaments and games as assigned

Student sports journalists

Student sports journalists report on middle school home matches. Students are expected to:

Be present at home matches as assigned
Write a summary of 1-2 paragraphs, and take pictures for the game/meet/match/tournament

How to apply

Further development

Peer leadership is designed to help students understand the skills required to be a leader. Be it as coach, official, trainer or journalist, students experience leadership in a variety sporting settings.

What does life after the program look like?

It may be possible in some sports and roles to obtain certification through one of our external partners.
After receiving certification, students may wish to take their leadership career further by working for external organizations.
Once qualified, students can continue to coach, officiate and be a first aid responder after their time at ASL. This can often provide a source of income as well as continued social opportunities.

T&Cs

Students must read the following terms and conditions before applying.

Time commitment

Peer leadership requires time commitment from student leaders. Keep in mind that a student leader is expected to attend weekly practices and games/ matches/meets.

In addition, the student leader may be required to attend a course to obtain his/her qualification. The course may consist of practical, theoretical and online assignments.

Expectations

We expect the student leader to act professional at all times. Student leaders can demonstrate actions but are not allowed to participate in countable athletically related activities. (e.g., as a practice player).

As role models for the younger students, we expect student leaders to be punctual, well presented and positive. Students failing to set a positive example to students may be removed from activity.

Confidentiality

Student leaders encounter confidential information regarding the athletes. We expect that this information is kept in trusted circles. Due to the privacy law, coaches, officials and trainers are not allowed to take unauthorized pictures. Permission must be sought from the MS athletics director.

Dress code

Student leaders must dress appropriately for the activity. We expect students to wear sportswear and ASL coaching attire which will be provided.

NHS hours

NHS students may add peer leadership hours as their NHS hours. The athletics department will provide you with a confirmation letter at the end of the season.