Campaign Ambassador - Stephen Griffin

Name: Stephen Griffin

Sports/Activities: Tennis

Locality: Welwyn Hatfield

Back in 2013, I started playing tennis at Gosling Sports Park and from the outset, I developed a passion for the sport. Ultimately by 2019, this passion had led me to take a new step in my life and pursue coaching. I achieved my level 1 qualification in 2020 and by 2022, I had progressed further and became a paid employee, which was a proud milestone in my journey.

Like many people, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted my progress when I wanted to develop as a coach. It delayed many opportunities and made it more challenging to secure a job in the area. Autism is a hidden disability, and this has meant that I have faced some additional barriers to my journey of becoming a tennis coach. I’ve always had the desire to complete my level 2 coaching qualification, but this does come with further assessments that have added another layer of challenge to my coaching aspirations. To overcome this, I am planning to take private lessons to help prepare myself and continue improving my skills.

I have been very fortunate to receive a lot of support throughout my journey. My fellow coaches and the managers at Gosling Sports Park have provided guidance, encouragement, and direction when I needed it most. Their support has played a key role in helping me progress and build confidence in my abilities as a coach.

Although I am still working towards completing my Level 2 qualification, I remain determined to keep developing. My goal is to continue growing as a coach by gaining more experience and increasing my working hours. I also want to build confidence in my own abilities and ensure I seek out the support I need to succeed. I am committed to making the most of every opportunity and continuing to develop both personally and professionally within the sport.