How did I get into coaching children and young people 

“I started my journey as a coach after I graduated from the Faculty of Physical Education, specializing in Sports Training. Since 2007, I’ve been working as a certified coach. Right from the beginning, I felt a powerful connection with children and youngsters, and their energy, potential, along with their dormant talents, became a source of motivation for me. To this day, I treasure the experience of my first training session with young children. I wasn’t merely teaching them how to pass and shoot; I was establishing trust and admiration, instilling confidence, and nurturing a sense of appreciation for the game. At that point, I understood that sport coaching is way more than just about sport; it is centered around transforming lives”. 

Why am I passionate about putting kids first in sport? 

“Because Children already have their basic rights that allow them to participate in sports, irrespective on where they come from, their identities, or how advanced they are. Who they are does not matter. Opportunities offered to them enables them to develop as well as feel acknowledged and this is the reason why every child deserves it. 

I have witnessed how even timid and reserved kids transform into confident players. Not because they were the best players, but because someone took the risk of believing in them and gave them a fighting chance. That's what gets me motivated: finding extraordinary possibilities and fostering an environment that every single kid feels included.” 

Raaed's Top Tips for Youth Sport Coaches:

• Extend compassion first.  

• Always remember that every child is different. Honor their differences, and never measure them against each other -- rather, measure them against who they were the day before. 

• In my experience, the most important elements are patience, kindness, and consistency. Support progress at any phase, no matter how trivial it may seem. Commend the effort first. It only takes one small encouraging remark from a coach to spark a passion, but a single moment of neglect can destroy immense potential.