SAYLS

29/03/2026

Despite the gloomy weather, our leaders showed up in force to cheer on runners at the .

Huge congratulations to all participants, especially our own Lauren Donnelly and David Walker who crushed the course.

Massive thanks to all the volunteers and organisers for supporting our leaders. You have all played a huge part in making the day extra special for all involved.

17/03/2026

SAYLS training day two concluded! We had the pleasure of our first year cohort completing their second unit of the Level 2 Sports Leader qualification. They have worked together to plan and deliver a range of activities, improving fundamental skills to local primary school children.

In addition, they have completed their second round of first aid training, completing the full content of the course.

We are incredibly proud of all the leaders, they are a credit to the schools they represent and undoubtedly will go on to achieve amazing things in the future.

15/02/2026

It’s been a busy and incredible weekend of competitive sport at for the Nationals. Where multiple venues across Sheffield see sports such as Athletics, Climbing, Swimming and so much more take place. The SAYLS leaders have been able to get their hands on the score boards for the field events, help on the track and manage the courts for Badminton.

The event held a special commemoration for Malcom Rogers, one of GB’s most highly regarded Athletics technical officials. He was also an incredibly popular figure in Sheffield, previously teaching Jessica Ennis and Joe Root at King Ecgbert School.

Thank you to all our incredible leaders for giving up their free time over the weekend. Plus, a special thank you to all the BUCS team for their guidance and support.

19/01/2026

18/01/2026

So that’s a wrap for the . What a week it has been! I’m sure I speak on behalf of all the young leaders that we are incredibly fortunate and grateful to be apart of this volunteering experience. Our leaders have given up many hours this week to support the event, serving the people of Sheffield and beyond, adding positivity to everybody’s experience.

We are sad to see the event close but all good things must come to the end so we can relish the memories created. Our leaders will also leave with an experience that will aid their professional journey, learning from the skills of the team of volunteers and wider workforce.

Thank you so much to all the governing bodies that made this opportunity possible for us.


ISU Figure Skating

MLS Contracts

The future of sport in Sheffield will be in good hands for years to come.

17/01/2026

Your leadership success boils down to one fundamental truth:

(I learned this the hard way, through many mistakes.)

Technical expertise alone won’t cut it.

I watch brilliant leaders trip over this all the time.

The unfiltered truth?

It’s the so-called “soft” skills, like these 7,
that truly define your success:

1. Self-Awareness
↳ Understand your triggers, blind spots, and default reactions.
↳ Your team sees everything, especially what you try to conceal.

2. Communication
↳ Clarity beats cleverness, always.
↳ The best messages are no good if your team doesn’t grasp them.

3. Decision-Making
↳ Overanalyzing stalls progress.
↳ Make the call, own the outcome, adjust as needed.

4. Resilience
↳ Leadership isn’t about escaping storms.
↳ It’s about being the steady force that guides your team through them.

5. Empowerment
↳ Your role isn’t to be the smartest person in the room.
↳ It’s to cultivate an environment where smart people can thrive.

6. Adaptability
↳ The market doesn’t care about your five-year plan.
↳ Show your team how to embrace uncertainty.

7. Integrity
↳ Your actions speak louder than your words.
↳ Trust is built in drops and lost in buckets.

Here’s the bottom line:

You can learn strategy from books.
You can borrow systems from others.

But these skills?
They’re developed through real-world practice.

15/01/2026

We have concluded day 2 of our volunteering at the for the incredible . The competitors have been spectacular and our young leaders are matching the energy in the fan zones.

It’s been brilliant so far to see schools and pupils from the city recognising and engaging with the young leaders throughout the day.

Huge thank you to Firvale, , for your incredible support so far!

And thank you to and Major Events Team for creating the opportunities for us so far. We are having the best time

We can’t wait to get back at it again tomorrow for day 3

10/01/2026

17/12/2025

16/12/2025

Today we have been at and Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre. It marks the first official training day for the SAYLS leaders as they start their Level 2 Sports Leaders Qualification.

In addition, the leaders have completed their first aid certification and had the special opportunity to explore all the research and work that goes in to testing cardio vascular endurance, understanding VO2 Max, how this is monitored and linked these to physical conditions that can affect fitness levels.

Massive thank you to Emily and the team from AWRC for their brilliant workshop and their support today. Also to A & D First Aid Training for an engaging practical deliver to learning CPR, using a defibrillator and recovery positioning.

Sponsor:

Our leading partner for all your PE and school sport needs. For over 60 years, Davies Sports has been helping schools, colleges, universities, leisure centres and grassroots clubs make sport and PE a cherished part of people’s lives.

Please reach out to them with any of your enquiries and they’ll support you in every way possible.