Meet The Coaches
Founder & CEO
Coach Dom
It has always been a passion of mine to support children and young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). I was aware there were few sports sessions and inclusive sessions for children with special needs, and I wanted to change that. One day a student asked me, "Why are there no clubs for me?" At this point, I started Believe Sport!
I was fortunate enough to complete a SEND degree which broadens my knowledge of understanding of SEND needs and how to support them. I have always been involved in sports, from organizing local 6 a side leagues to managing a local football team. Despite this, I still wanted more. I currently work in a unique educational setting, and the rewards are endless. Nevertheless, I felt I could still give more enjoyment to these children and young adults. Thanks to Believe sport, I can now do that.
Football Development
Coach Rowan
In addition to being passionate about supporting children with special needs, I have now been able to achieve my goal of working in an environment that supports SEN. Working with Believe Sport was an opportunity I could not refuse.
Having years of experience within the sport industry I can now put my two passions together for an amazing cause. Believe Sport is the club needed to support these children and give them the equal opportunity they deserve! I am privileged to be part of the team and can not wait to continue to deliver sessions around the UK.
Emotional Support Lead
Coach Charlotte
I'm Charlotte, and I'm a coach at believe sport, as well as a learning support assistant at an SEN program. Since I have family members with special needs myself, SEN and additional needs have always been close to my heart. When I was younger, I always considered special needs people to be on an equal footing, but as I've gotten older, I've learned that there aren't the same opportunities for the amazing individuals I support. This is why I wanted to give back so much and make SEN individuals feel valued at all times.
Through working with SEN, my understanding of this field has broadened beyond just my personal experience, and I've discovered my passion for it. I feel blessed to be a part of so many special lives and going home knowing I’ve helped put smiles on these beautiful faces is what helps me get through our more challenging days. I honestly can't imagine doing anything else and would not want to. I have watched amazing children emerge from their shells in the safe space that believe provides in the short time that it has been open. Free from expectations and demands. In a place where progress isn't measured on paper, but by the way they interact with others who see them equally as they deserve to be seen ❤️
Head Coach
Coach Sam
It has always been a passion of mine to support children with SEN and coach sport. I have a degree in sports coaching and a huge amount of years working within a SEN environment. The rewards it repays you is something you cannot describe.
In my previous job I was teaching sport and PE to children with SEN for over 12 years. Joining the believe sport team and this fantastic provision it offers to families and children to enable them to access sport in a safe environment for them to be their own individual and unique selves was an opportunity I wanted to be apart of.
I continue to work in education, currently supporting social, emotional and behavioural needs within a primary school setting and a huge passion of mine is to help the children of today and the future.
By working with Dom and his current team of fantastic coaches that provide a specialist provision, Believe sport will continue to grow and be recognised across the country for the opportunities it is giving. This club is one of a kind. 🐝
Assistant Coach
Coach Laura
I have always had a passion for supporting individuals with disabilities and additional needs. I used to work as a care assistant supporting elderly and individuals with additional needs to live independently within their own homes.
Sen is something extremely close to me after my son was diagnosed back in 2019.
I soon realised there wasn’t many opportunities out there for SEN and additional needs, this impacted my son and affected him socially and emotionally.
I was so pleased to hear about believe sport, since my son attending it has positively impacted on him. He has now found something he enjoys doing.
I am honoured to be part of the believe sport team, it’s so rewarding seeing the positive impact this club has had on the children. Seeing them smile, having fun and being themselves.
Assistant Coach
Coach Nikki
Hi everyone I'am coach Nikki
I have always worked in the care sector after qualifying college at 17 I worked with children in a nursery and was the setting senco I loved this role and thrived in this position. I then moved on to elderly care and worked my way up the qualification ladder in a local care home until 2009 when I had my own children I then became a full time carer for my mum who has long term ill health and my dad who at the time had terminal cancer. I' am blessed to have 4 beautiful boys of my own who have additional needs themselves this gave me the drive to educate myself further by doing online qualification that could help me better understand their worlds and adapt the real world to manage their condition too i have qualifications in autism awareness, challenging behaviour, children's mental health and a degree in psychology all of which I studied while juggling my growing family and ill parents.
I came across Believe Sport while looking for a football team for my eldest sons as the local teams just couldn't meet their needs and wasnt willing to try.
Believe changed all this for my sons and now all 3 of my eldest attend and love it I too love it and as a hands on type of mum couldn't help getting involved with the sessions I was therefore honoured when Dom approached me to be a coach it was the easiest simplest yes I've ever given its a family as well as a sports group it's inclusivity and equality as well as so much fun.
Assistant Coach
Coach Sam P
Hi I’m Coach Sam. Working in SEN is something that I am extremely passionate about. This motivated me to choose a special needs school when I was getting into teaching years ago. Now I am a fully qualified teaching assistant in a SEN school, as well as an assistant coach here at Believe Sport.
Along with my work being hugely rewarding and lots of fun, it has allowed me to better understand autism and other disabilities, which has helped me on a professional level, as well as helping me with my own relatives who have additional needs themselves.
I am so thankful that Believe Sport provide an inclusive, supportive and safe space for children with SEND to take part in sport, socialise, and most importantly: be themselves. I am proud to be a member of the team and I look forward to meeting you all