Putting his Spin on a Sports Traineeship

As a Sports Department Trainee at Coomera Anglican College in Queensland, Christiaan Van Peppen has seamlessly transitioned from being a past student to a vital staff member of the College school sports program.

I am a past student and was working in the Basketball Program when Anthony, a mentor, talked to me about the position. He encouraged me to apply for the role, and I knew I would be a good fit.

Despite his experience, the interview was a challenging process.

I did interview for the role, which was very nerve-wracking.

However, his lifelong interest in sports and prior experience made him an ideal candidate.

I have always been interested in sport and have had a few different jobs. But, I much prefer this one because it is sport. This is by far the thing I enjoy the most.

One of the significant challenges Christiaan faces is behaviour management.

Managing student behaviour can be tough at times, but I am getting better every day.

The teachers here are really supportive, and I learn from them constantly.

Christiaan highly recommends traineeships for those considering them.

The hands-on experience is something you can’t really get from just studying teaching. That’s what I enjoy the most—learning on the go!

Working with various teachers has allowed him to develop his working style.

I get to work with different teachers who all have different teaching styles, which has helped me figure out what works best for me.

Reflecting on his first day as a Trainee, Christiaan acknowledges the initial fear but also the advantages of being a former student.

My first day was scary, but it went a lot better than I was expecting. Because I am a past student, I knew my way around and kind of knew what I was walking into.

I definitely prefer being a staff member over a student.

Throughout his traineeship, Christiaan has experienced significant personal and professional growth.

I have learned a lot and have grown in many ways.

His role extends beyond the classroom, as he coaches several basketball teams ranging from under-8s to under-18s.

I also help run the Basketball Academy, which has both a club side and an academy side with morning training sessions.

An exciting highlight of his traineeship is a trip to Taiwan, where the Basketball Academy will participate in a tournament.

I run the morning training sessions with two of our other coaches, assist the head coaches, and help them out. I am going on the trip to Taiwan to help and assist the coaches.

Christiaan Van Peppen’s story at Coomera Anglican College is a great example of the power of traineeships in schools. His passion for sports and dedication to his role have made a significant impact on the college community and his journey is an inspiring example for anyone considering a similar path.