FOUNDATION COACH OUT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

“Coaching allows me to help change people’s lives.” – Sean Fearn 

Having been involved in sports coaching since the age of 16, Sean Fearn has taken the time to reminisce over the last eight years as part of Coaching Week 2019.

Coaching Week is a celebration of great coaching which takes place across the UK, raising awareness of the amazing benefits of coaching.

The week provides an annual platform for coaches to celebrate the impact they have in their community, something which has never really crossed Sean’s mind.

He said: “I’ve never really had the chance to sit back and assess my own impact as a coach. My love for coaching stems from my love of sport and wanting others to enjoy sport as much as I do.”

The participation coordinator at Club Doncaster Foundation has been involved in sport all of his life, turning to coaching at the age of 16 when he took up an apprenticeship at Barnsley FC’s community trust – Reds in the Community.

Here, Sean gained his Football Association (FA) Level 1 and Level 2 coaching badges, alongside some much-needed industry experience, before joining former professional footballer Bruce Dyer’s Love Life UK, aimed at providing quality coaching for young athletes. 

The 24-year-old soon joined Pro-Vision Sports and Coaching Ltd as an assistant manager for just over four years, where the Barnsley-born coach said he matured, not just as a coach, but as a person.

He added: “I was able to gain confidence in more ways than one, which is really important as a coach.

“People don’t always understand the impact coaches have on a young athletes’ development; so all the experience I’ve gained has definitely helped me grow and has allowed me to be a better person.”

Since joining the Foundation, Sean has continued his own professional development and, in light of Coaching Week, has spoken highly about becoming a coach.

He said: “Anyone who wants to make a genuine impact on people should definitely consider coaching, it’s a fantastic job.

“The best part of coaching for me is being able to see the joy on their faces when you teach them something new. You walk away from a session knowing you’ve effectively changed a life.

"It’s an amazing feeling.”