Former pupil returns to Doncaster school as a sports coach

Newly-appointed apprentice coach Mason Fairclough has fulfilled a lifelong ambition as he returned to Sunnyfields Primary School school to deliver sport sessions as a coach for Club Doncaster Foundation.

Mason, 18, had ‘enjoyed taking part in practical PE lessons for as long as he can remember’, and has now been given the chance to to coach the next generation of children.

Mason explained: “I’ve always wanted some form of coaching role; I’m a sporty person and always used to love PE lessons.

“The school’s current headteacher, Mr Richardson, was my class teacher in year five. I’ve got very happy memories from the school and loved being there.

“It’s been an unusual start to working life in the current climate but I have really enjoyed it so far. The students have adjusted to the measures in place to protect them from Covid-19, meaning the sessions are still fun and engaging and they’re taking a lot from them.”

Mason, who lives in Scawthorpe, was a student at Club Doncaster Sports College prior to securing a full time position at the Foundation.

He added: “The College put me in a great place and helped set me up for life in the working world; I had some unbelievable experiences when I was studying there.

“One of my favourite parts of the job is helping people enjoy getting active and watching the pupils progress as they attend more and more sessions.”

Mr Richardson, Sunnyfields’ Headteacher, said: “Mason is a pupil that I taught at Sunnyfields several years ago.

"As a pupil he worked hard, was resilient and thrived on working alongside his peers. He was involved in a range of extra-curricular clubs and attended several residential visits.

“It was clear from when he was very young that he was a ‘people person’ and loved sport. Several years later he has returned to Sunnyfields alongside Doncaster Foundation as an apprentice.

"It is really satisfying to see the full cycle complete from a child I used to teach to an adult who is now supporting his community.”