Baljit Ahluwalia was employed by BSUK from March to September this year via the Future Jobs Fund programme, which paid for his role as a Community Baseball and Softball Coach, working mainly in Greater Manchester but also supporting the North West team. Baljit did not have any baseball or softball experience when the placement started, and he was unemployed and in receipt of benefits.
The placement has now come to an end, but both Baljit and BSUK's North West Regional Development Manager Luis Arrevillagas can look back on a very successful project.
Baljit Ahluwalia writes:
Before being employed by BSUK, I was an unemployed graduate. I came across the job advertisement online and thought that this would be ideal for me. The job description appealed to me as it was something that I had an interest in doing and I knew that it would help me to grow as a person.
Although I had no previous experience in either baseball or softball, I knew that the role would help me to understand both sports and also help my coaching to improve. At this point I had little idea that it would be the beginning of a great six months.
As I started out completely new to both sports, it was apparent that I had to undergo some training to understand them, and luckily there were courses going on that would help me learn how to coach appropriately and effectively. Through these courses, I was set up to get my Level 1 and 2 awards as I coached more often. I later achieved a full Level 2 qualification.
As a requirement of the Level 2 award, I had to undertake other courses such as First Aid, Equity in your Coaching and Safeguarding and Protecting Children. These courses were very informative and complemented my training.
In an effort to understand the game of softball better, I was lucky enough to take part in an umpiring course. This gave me an extra edge in terms of knowledge of the game and its rules and procedures. It also allowed me to view the game from the perspective of an umpire rather than just a coach or participant.
The National Skills Academy also provided some online courses as a means of enhancing my skills and employability. They provided five courses for me to undertake during my employment with BSUK. These courses have helped to improve some essential skills.
At the beginning of my employment I initially observed and assisted the coaching sessions that I attended. This gave me a solid foundation to come to terms with the sports and to see the coaching techniques of others. As I attended more sessions I started to become aware of the different skills that were involved and the correct methods and techniques involved and as I assisted I became more confident in my ability to correct incorrect technique. This was essential in helping to achieve my Level 2 qualification.
The levels at which I was involved varied from primary and secondary school to colleges and adults. The project that I had a large involvement in and enjoyed the most was our eight-week planned sessions in Warrington, Sefton and Tameside.
To see participants with a variety of athletic ability come together to take part in a new sport and, by the end of the eight weeks, have a greater understanding and a fondness for softball was amazing to see. It is rare to see this occur and I was happy that I had a helping hand in bringing softball to so many new people and places.
My interest in both sports has dramatically increased and I have played a few games in each sport to see first hand how they work. I am happy that I was given this opportunity to work with great people in a great community and to meet so many new faces and make friends.
I thank BSUK for this opportunity and Luis Arrevillagas and Liz Knight for the chance to work alongside them and for helping me to become a better person as well as a better coach.
Luis Arrevillagas writes:
Although the Future Jobs Fund project has now ended after six months, BSUK's regional team in the North West would like to continue to work with Baljit and will be using his services as he is now a fully-qualified Level 2 softball coach.
Baljit's first work as an independent coach will be to organise a softball tournament for beginners in Warrington and he will also be involved in the autumn sessions planned with the two main universities in Manchester.
We are continuing to source funding to see if we can employ Baljit full time in the region.