Learning how to become sports coaches has transformed the lives of two young Autistic teenagers at the Ashgrove School in Penarth, and they are now passing on their knowledge to younger pupils at the school.
It has been proven that playing sport can be extremely beneficial for people with Autism, and 18-year-olds Ben Nicholas and Joe Blackley have taken the experience a step further by getting involved in the coaching side of sport.
They are among the dozens of people in the Vale of Glamorgan who have undertaken Dragon Sport Organisers training with the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s sports and play development team during the last year to equip themselves with the skills needed to organise and lead sports sessions for children.
Every week at Ashgrove School, Ben and Joe are putting those skills to good use by delivering a range of sports to pupils aged from 12 up to 17 at the school.
Both boys have gained in confidence thanks to their experience, with Joe saying: "A couple of years ago I would have felt scared to coach sport, but now I’m much more confident. Sport has changed my life and I really like teaching the pupils each week. I am going on a football coaching course soon and I’ll be introducing different sports into my sessions too."
Ben, from Barry, said: "I wasn’t particularly interested in sport until fairly recently, but now I love sport and coaching, and it has had a big impact on me. Sport has helped make me healthier and fitter than I ever was and I enjoy making sports such as football and athletics really fun activities that everyone can enjoy."
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability and can affect people in very different ways. People with Autism may have difficulties with social communication and interaction as well restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior.
"Sport can help with social interaction as it boosts self confidence," said Simon Jones, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Disability Sport Wales Officer, adding: "The more sessions that Ben and Joe lead the more confident they will become in their ability and this will ease any anxiety."
"Ben and Joe are becoming very good coaches. They are branching out and leading sessions in numerous sports which is never easy. They have a great relationship with the pupils of Ashgrove and they are getting good results from their sessions."
Dragon Sport Organisers courses are run throughout the year in the Vale of Glamorgan. If you’d like to find out how you can play your part in giving youngsters an excellent start to their sporting education, please call the Vale Council’s Active Young People Co-ordinator Ben Williams on 01446 704795.
For details about the wide range of sports available locally for people of all ages with disabilities, please call Simon Jones on 01446 704728 or go online at www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/sportsandplay.
