Level 3 Sports Studies

This is a highly practical course, focusing on enabling physical activity and developing student’s leadership skills. In this course you will cover:

Physical Performance: In this unit, students will perform a physical activity in relation to national standards.  Students are given a range of activities to achieve this assessment, such as Lawn Bowls, Badminton and the Tough Gal Challenge. This performance task provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their skill level, fitness, and understanding of game play or technique. They will be assessed against criteria aligned with national performance benchmarks, encouraging them to strive for personal excellence.

Coaching:  This unit introduces students to the foundations of planning and delivering coaching sessions for beginner-level participants. Students will develop key coaching skills such as communication, giving feedback, safety awareness, and session structure. They will apply this learning in a practical context by planning and leading a physical education session for junior students (Years 9 & 10). This experience not only builds confidence and leadership but also provides an authentic opportunity for students to guide, instruct, and support the development of others while receiving real-time feedback on their own coaching style and effectiveness

Personal Exercise Plan: In this unit, students will develop and implement a personalised exercise plan aimed at improving their physical fitness. The programme is built around the New Zealand Police Physical Competency Test (PCT) as a context, giving students a clear and measurable training goal. Over six weeks, students will complete a structured gym-based training programme, track their progress, and reflect on the effectiveness of their plan. This unit promotes personal accountability and provides valuable life skills in fitness planning, goal setting, and self-assessment.

Managing Health and Wellbeing:  This unit focuses on helping students describe, manage, and evaluate their personal health and wellbeing in relation to participating in a recreational activity. This unit combines physical activity with self-reflection and wellbeing education, encouraging students to explore the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of health. The learning culminates in an outdoor experience, such as a class hike, where students are required to apply their planning, preparation, and self-management skills. Students reflect on how this experience impacts their overall wellbeing and evaluate strategies for maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.

Additionally, an optional camp may be offered to provide a rich, practical extension of classroom learning. While not compulsory, the camp offers valuable learning opportunities that reinforce many of the concepts covered throughout the year. This camp takes place in the first week of term 4.