Stephen Willis  Dip PT

About Me:

Coaching juniors

I especially enjoy coaching juniors. They generally show more willingness to learn, are quicker to pick up new skills and are not afraid to 'have a go'.  

Having played for Middlesex from the age of 12, I experienced a lot of highs and lows at the very difficult time of adolescence.  

My junior clients range from beginners to entry level County players, right up to members of the World Class Start Program.  

Coaching young children can be a rich and satisfying experience. It is also a tremendous responsibility. The children in my care are the next generation of sports men and women. The attitudes they learn from me can affect every aspect of their lives. My work can help to give them confidence. If not done right, it can also undermine what little confidence they do have. Above all, it is important to remember the following:

• Children come first, winning comes second
• Sport should be fun
• Reward effort as well as achievement

Some people expect too much physically from youngsters. It is important to realise the following when dealing with children in sport:

• children do not tolerate exercise as well as adults and are much less aware of their own limits
• because children breathe more quickly than adults, they dehydrate more quickly, so children doing sport need to make sure they drink plenty of water