At just 15 years old, Fred f
rom Gosport is already making a meaningful difference to young people in his community through his volunteering role with Lee Rangers Youth FC.
Fred first became involved in volunteering as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award. What started as a requirement soon became something he genuinely enjoyed, encouraging him to continue volunteering beyond the programme. Over the past two years, he has become a valued part of the club’s coaching team.
As a youth coach, Fred supports an Under-9s football team by helping to deliver training sessions, taking small groups to work on specific skills, and assisting at development sessions. His enthusiasm and positive attitude help create an enjoyable environment for the young players.
For Fred, one of the most rewarding parts of volunteering is seeing younger children enjoy sport and build their confidence through football. He says the experience “makes me feel good as you’re helping younger children to play sport.”
Volunteering has also had a positive impact on Fred personally. Through coaching, he has grown in confidence and believes the experience will help him in the future when applying for jobs. Alongside football coaching skills, he has developed communication, teamwork and leadership skills that will benefit him in many areas of life.
Fred believes his volunteering has also made a difference to the club and the children he supports. By helping the coaching team, he provides an extra pair of hands during busy sessions, and he feels the players enjoy having a younger coach they can relate to.
One particularly memorable moment involved a child who did not always want to join in with football activities. Fred made a special effort to encourage and engage them during sessions. Over time, the child began participating more and enjoying the sport, giving Fred a real sense that his volunteering was making a positive difference.
When asked what he would say to someone considering volunteering, Fred’s answer is simple: “Do it.”
Fred’s story is a great example of how young volunteers can have a big impact within their communities while also building confidence, skills and experience for their own future.