Ted Cox is a former Community Trust Study Programme learner at Fleetwood Town’s Community Trust. During his time as a learner, Ted displayed an exemplary attitude and applied himself fantastically both inside and outside the classroom.
Now, Ted is a Teaching Assistant at the very same Community Trust that helped him kick-start his own career in sport.
Ted caught up with Laura Wentmoor, LFE’s CTSP Regional Officer for the north west.
Since completing your BTEC Level 3, what have you been doing?
“Since completing my BTEC level 3, I have joined the ‘Sports Coaching and Development’ University course, delivered at Fleetwood Town Community Sports College (where my college years took place), which is provided by the University of South Wales. Throughout my first year of University I discovered my passion for teaching. Knowing the people I did from my time as a college student, I was able to negotiate my way into volunteering at the college, supporting students as a teaching assistant. As of September 2022, I am now officially being paid by Fleetwood Town Community Trust as a teaching assistant, providing evidence that the hard work and volunteering paid off, which I am so grateful for.“
How did your time on the BTEC at Fleetwood Town Community Sports College and LFE help you to prepare for this?
“The time I spent on the BTEC program allowed me build up relationships with the tutors and other staff who work at the building. This helped me to build up work connections, which helped me to start off my volunteering at the college. The college also contributed to my build up of confidence, as I was put out of my comfort zone in certain situations. My knowledge of sport was tested and expanded, which is rather important if you are someone that wants to pursue a career in sport!”
Did your BTEC allow you to make decisions about your chosen career path?
“To a certain capacity yes. The opportunities and work experience the college provided me always kept me thinking about which career in sport I would have liked to go into. However, when delivering presentations to my class mates or tutors for certain modules, I discovered my ability to confidently engage an audience. This got me thinking about a career in teaching.”
Do you have an end goal in terms of your career?
“At the moment I am happy with what I have achieved so far putting in the extra mile, however this doesn’t mean I am not considering my future. I’d like to complete my PGCE teaching training after I have finished my first University course, allowing me to become a fully qualified sports college tutor. From there I’d like to consider a role in sports management role. I would even like to consider creating my own self-setup side business.”
What have you been doing to allow yourself to get there?
“In terms of my long term goals, I am setting up my own grass roots football team, giving me a sense of management and leadership. It’s a long stressful process, but along the way of the team’s creation I will be able to develop important qualities such as time management, goal setting, communication and diligence, qualities of such an individual in a sports management role would need to have.”
