Name: Jamie Hawtin
Course: Economics
School & Dept: School of Business and Economics
Current Year: 2nd Year
Jamie Hawtin
MyLifestyle Basketball Activator and Recreational Sport Research and Insights Coordinator
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Despite being new to the University, Jamie has grown confident in his role and took on a difficult challenge to shape a welcoming basketball offer.
Tell us a little bit about yourself (hobbies, interests and background):
I have always played and taken part in a lot of sport from a very young age whether that be football, athletics or basketball. I started to take basketball more seriously playing through high school and college, while at college I coached for 2 years at my local basketball club. In the last year head coaching the U14 team to win the league. Outside of basketball I enjoy running and am hoping to complete the Jungfrau Marathon in September 2024 and Manchester Marathon in April 2025.
How did you first get involved in volunteering within sport at Loughborough?
At the Sports Bazaar I spoke to the CVA about the opportunity to use my Level 1 Basketball coaching qualification at the University. I was signposted to the MyLifestyle Programme which is the recreational side of sport at the university. Where my responsibility was to coach people wanting to play basketball for fun and give them the opportunity to improve.
During your years at Loughborough what have you got involved in through volunteering within sport?
I have been a Basketball MyLifestyle Activator for a year now, coaching two sessions a week of recreational players allowing them the opportunity to learn new skills or fine tune the pre-existing skills. Being involved in the recreational programme has allowed me to become the Research and Insights coordinator for the programme for the next academic year. This role involves conducting research into the programme and the experiences participants have to further improve the opportunity for people to play sport. For this current academic year, I will be continuing volunteering as MyLifestyle Basketball Activator, Recreational Sport Research & Insights Coordinator and Men’s Basketball BUCS 2nd Team Assistant coach.
What has your experience volunteering been like whilst at Loughborough?
Volunteering has been a hugely positive experience, through the confidence in my own ability to deliver sessions to participants. Alongside coaching MyLifestyle session, the exec role on the recreational programme has also been an incredible one that I hope to continue. By volunteering at the University, it has opened new opportunities such as volunteering at the Leicester Riders U18 All Star camp allowing me to shadow high-level coaches, furthering my abilities. Through this I have been given the opportunity to coach AU basketball next season as well.
How has being involved with Loughborough Sport helped you develop and progress (personally and professionally)?
Personally, volunteering has massively helped me develop my confidence by putting myself out there in an unfamiliar setting. It has also helped me challenge myself and take risks and when something goes wrong it has taught me to adaptable and think on my feet. All of these skills have benefited in my degree, and I hope they can be translated to the workplace.
What’s the best advice you could give to a Loughborough student looking to get involved in volunteering & gain the most out of their university experiences?
Look for and sign up for as many opportunities as you can, there will be loads of opportunities that suit you and you can benefit from.
Finally, what do you enjoy most about volunteering?
The reward of seeing people benefit from the time you have given up and seeing the positive impact you can have on people through volunteering.
Feeling inspired?
Feeling inspired by Jamie's experience? Check out the CVA Portal regularly for opportunities like this.