Our NCFE students recently had the incredible opportunity to take part in a training session delivered by England netball legend Sonia Mkoloma.
With an illustrious career that includes competing at three Netball World Championships, three Commonwealth Games, and two World Netball Series, Sonia brought a wealth of experience and inspiration to the day.
The session gave students a chance to get to grips with the rules of netball while participating in a variety of practical activities. These included warm-up games, shooting practice, and team-building exercises, before ending the day with a highly competitive tournament.
Reflecting on the session, NCFE student Nellie Rose shared her thoughts:
“Today’s session was a real eye-opener. Being coached by someone who has played for England and now works at the highest level of the Roses Pathway gave the whole experience a different energy. She was clear, confident, and had this way of commanding respect without being intimidating. It made me think about how I carry myself when I coach others, and how important presence and delivery are.”
Fellow student Elena added her perspective:
“It was great. Being coached by someone with her background, from earning England caps to leading the Roses Pathway, gave the session real purpose. She struck a balance between setting high expectations and offering genuine support. Even when we made mistakes, she used those moments to teach us, which made me reflect on how I handle similar situations in my sessions. I want to create that same positive and focused environment.”
“It also helped me see coaching through a new lens. The netball drills were extremely focused and purposeful. I want to apply that level of detail and intention in my own coaching sessions.”
Our NCFE Level 2 and 3 courses are delivered in partnership with United Colleges Group with students having their full-time education courses delivered at The Arsenal Hub. The programmes combine the theoretica knowledge of Sports Science and Coaching with enhanced practical work experience and PHSE curriculum.
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Holly Walker, sports study programme teacher at Arsenal in the Community, praised the impact of the experience:
“We were incredibly lucky to have Sonia leading the session. Her experience as a former England international, having competed in four World Cups and now serving as Head Coach of the Roses Pathway, brought depth and authenticity to the training. It was a valuable opportunity for our students to learn from someone working at an elite level and to broaden their understanding by engaging with a different sport. This is the kind of experience that stays with students for years to come.”
Vanessa Stewart, commercial partnerships manager at England Netball, concluded:
“This collaboration was all about bridging the gap between sports and giving aspiring young coaches a chance to experience netball first-hand while expanding their coaching knowledge. It is a fantastic example of the power of cross-sport collaboration and something we should all continue to champion. A massive thank you to the amazing coaching group at Arsenal for bringing such energy and enthusiasm to the day.”
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