In 2020 I was laid off due to the pandemic, a few months before my daughter was born. I decided to continue being a stay at home mom after she turned one. I missed being on the field and in the gym teaching children physical education and was having little success in getting my daughter motivated to try sports. When my daughter was 3 years old, I offered to do some soccer classes for a home daycare and my daughter joined in and enjoyed participating with the other children. I am so grateful that my family, friends and neighbours encouraged me to become an entrepreneur and start my own business coaching kids sports.
Since June 2023 I have been coaching at schools, daycares and camps in Burlington and Oakville. I had the pleasure of coaching at several locations as the special guest this year and ran soccer and multi-sport classes on Thursday evenings and weekend mornings. I was also the special guest for a 4 year old girl’s birthday party.
I love coaching children and helping them progress and build their confidence. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but it wasn’t until teachers college that I decided I would pursue a career as a physical education teacher. I noticed the lack of training teachers receive in physical education and got to see firsthand in schools as a student teacher. When I observed the primary grades in gym class, the teacher would quickly make teams and pass them a ball to have a soccer game. Unfortunately, this resulted in many of the children feeling discouraged or left out since they didn’t have the confidence, skills or experience to play a soccer game.
I am passionate about teaching the fundamental skills of sports and gross motor skills that are key to building a confident and athletic child who finds joy in playing sports with their friends. It is so rewarding for me to be welcomed into schools and childcare centres and children being so excited to see me and learn new skills. I am so grateful to do what I love each day and be able to have a positive impact on children!
Thank you to all the amazing parents, teachers, ECEs and principals who have supported my small coaching business. It is a pleasure coaching children and seeing their confidence, social skills and movement skills blossom! I truly believe that when we use physical activity and sports to build children’s confidence and skills, it sets them up for future success in all areas of life and builds the foundation they need to live a healthy active lifestyle as adults.
I look forward to many more years of coaching Fit For Fun programs and making a difference in the lives of children!
Written By: Coach Dana