Zara Kirkwood
Irvine,UK
Summary
A highly adaptive and pro-active professional with a strong foundation in effective communication and problem-solving. Known for dependability, team orientation, and a positive attitude, consistently demonstrating empathy and a willingness to learn. Career goals include leveraging these skills to contribute meaningfully to team success and organisational growth.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
KFC Youth Advisory Board
KFC
Woking, Surrey
01.2025 - Current
- The KFC Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a group of young people who provide feedback and ideas for KFC initiatives. this platform is designed to bring the voices of young people directly into the hearts of KFC's decision-making.
- My role within the board is to attend monthly and quarterly meetings to provide insights on business initiatives. collaborate on projects, provide feedback on community programs, and marketing campaigns, and ensuring inclusivity and authenticity in young people.
Badminton Coach
Ayrshire Badminton Club
Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire
08.2024 - Current
- Coached young individuals to refine specific techniques and enhance confidence.
- Built confidence of players by offering individual praise and recognising progress and achievements.
- Identified individual strengths and weaknesses, adapting training programmes to suit.
- I'm involved in the development of the miniton programme (a primary school-based programme that helps develop badminton skills and teamwork). This requires me to be adaptive and proactive about what I deliver as each week the space could change.
Session Worker
Scottish Sports Futures
North Ayrshire, Scotland
06.2021 - 02.2025
- As a session staff member with SSF, working in various programmes (Twilight, Active2Grow, Young Leaders), I use sports and physical activity to develop critical life skills and serve as a positive role model for young people. I take a youth work approach, tailoring sessions to the group's needs and prioritizing their safety and well-being. I ensure I check in with each participant about their week and any concerns.
- We create positive pathways by supporting young people's decisions and addressing community challenges through targeted sessions on stress, anxiety, and confidence. Additional support is provided through local charities and national helplines. The sessions are youth-centered, ensuring that young people's voices are heard and implemented.
- As part of this organisation, I volunteer with the North Ayrshire Foster and Adoption team to help and support young people by using sport as a coping mechanism. This requires me to be more aware of the language through the personal circumstances of the young people.
Volunteer Gym Instructor
Seamill Hydro Hotel
North Ayrshire, Scotland
09.2023 - 01.2025
- Volunteering within my local gym has allowed me to utilize my skills and knowledge within the coaching environment
- This has allowed me to gain new knowledge of the gym environment and the technical elements of coaching and leading classes
- This has meant that I must be able to adapt my style of coaching and be able to adapt my exercises and session due to ability or injuries
- Working within the gym I have been working in a team-based environment and this has allowed me to understand self-responsibility when completing tasks such as cleaning up or taking a class
Education
BSc Honors Degree - Sports Coaching & Development
University of West of Scotland
09.2024 - 02.2025
Higher National Diploma - Sports Coaching & Development
Ayrshire College
Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire 08.2023 - 06.2024
Higher National Certificate - Sports Coaching & Development
Ayrshire College
Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire 08.2022 - 06.2023
Advanced Higher - Graphic Communication & Physical Education
Irvine Royal Academy
08.2021 - 04.2022
Higher - Mathematics, English, Physical Education, Graphic Communication & Modern Studies
Irvine Royal Academy
08.2020 - 05.2022
SCQF level 6 - Leadership
Irvine Royal Academy
08.2021 - 04.2022
Skills
- Effective Communicator
- Dependable
- Team-Orientated
- Empathic
- Positive
- Willingness to Learn
- Problem-Solving
- Pro-Active
- Adaptive
Certification
- British Makaton level 1 & 2, 2024
- Active Play, 10/09/23
- ETC: Conflict Resolution, 11/04/22
- ETC: Planning Effective Physical Activity, 11/04/22
- Scotland's Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA), 10/21/22
- Emergency First Aid at Work, 25/09/24
- Leading Athletics, 02/15/21
- Children's Wellbeing & Protection in Sport, 05/09/21
- Stage 1 Handball, 07/17/21
- ETC: Working with Young People in Sport, 08/15/21
- Badminton Basics, 02/22/19
- Badminton Level 1, 09/29/24
- ETC: Goal Setting
- ETC: Communication
- ETC: Human Connection
- Youth Sport Trust - TOP Sport
- Wheelchair Basketball Introduction
Accomplishments
- SSF Youth Worker/ Coach of the Year 2024
- West 3 League winners in Rugby with Marr Ladies - 2024
- National Bowl Champion in Rugby for Marr Ladies – 2024
- Over 1,000hrs Volunteering - Saltire Award – 2024
- Young Volunteer Award Winner (North Ayrshire) - 2022
- Outstanding Achievement in Sport (North Ayrshire) - 2018
- Represented Scotland in Badminton & Volleyball (Beach & Indoor)
- KFC Youth Advisory Board Member - Current
- SSF Youth Panel Member –Current
Languages
English
Native
Makaton
Intermediate (B1)
Affiliations
- Badminton
- Volleyball
- Rugby
- Travelling
KFC Chair Person - Quote
"Zara is always full of energy and ready to take on the world. Zara's got a dynamic vibe that brings vitality to the group, she is always brimming with energy and intensity in the best possible way. As the sporty one in the group Zara brings a sense of determination and focus and I can already see her being the person who tackles challenges head on, driving momentum into every project she is apart of."
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
KFC Youth Advisory Board
KFC
01.2025 - Current
BSc Honors Degree - Sports Coaching & Development
University of West of Scotland
09.2024 - 02.2025
Badminton Coach
Ayrshire Badminton Club
08.2024 - Current
Volunteer Gym Instructor
Seamill Hydro Hotel
09.2023 - 01.2025
Higher National Diploma - Sports Coaching & Development
Ayrshire College
08.2023 - 06.2024
Higher National Certificate - Sports Coaching & Development
Ayrshire College
08.2022 - 06.2023
Advanced Higher - Graphic Communication & Physical Education
Irvine Royal Academy
08.2021 - 04.2022
SCQF level 6 - Leadership
Irvine Royal Academy
08.2021 - 04.2022
Session Worker
Scottish Sports Futures
06.2021 - 02.2025
Higher - Mathematics, English, Physical Education, Graphic Communication & Modern Studies
Irvine Royal Academy
08.2020 - 05.2022
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