Raring2go! 18 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Q&A with Giorgio Federico Bugnatelli B.E.M. What inspired you to become involved in community sports, and how do you believe they can help children develop confidence and life skills? Growing up, I was passionate about playing tennis, but financial constraints made it difficult for me to join a club or afford the necessary equipment. Despite these challenges, my love for the sport only grew stronger. I made a promise to myself that if I ever had the opportunity, I would ensure that no child faced the same barriers I did. So, after achieving my coaching and my management qualifications, I was determined to make tennis accessible to as many children as possible. I saw a latent demand in my local community, where many young people were eager to try out the sport. Community sports, like tennis, offer more than just physical activity; they provide a platform for children to develop essential life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience, all of which are crucial for building confidence and achieving success in life. Can you share a personal experience or story about how community sports have positively impacted a child's life, perhaps someone you've worked with or mentored? Coaching is akin to a peasant scattering seeds—while we can't predict which ones will grow into trees, our role is to nurture every seedling. In tennis, a technically demanding sport, it's not just about teaching the game but also about igniting a passion within each child. Committed coaches strive to kindle that hidden flame that will fuel their interest and keep it burning.Through this process, supported by their parents, children not only improve their self-esteem but also develop a lifelong habit of engaging in sports.This journey helps to build resilience and confidence, essential life skills that extend far beyond the court. How do you balance your role as a government officer in finance with your passion for community sports, and what lessons from one field have you found applicable to the other? I've been fortunate to have a very supportive employer that allows me to pursue my passion for tennis alongside my career. Balancing these responsibilities has been a consistent part of my life for over 35 years. I believe that giving back to the community is just as important as receiving, and this mindset has guided my approach to both roles.The core values of the civil service are honesty, integrity, impartiality, and objectivity; they have been integral to my work in developing and running Hylands Tennis Club. These values align perfectly with my community work, ensuring I maintain a high standard of integrity and fairness in all that I do. Can you share an example of how community sports have helped a child to develop confidence or life skills, perhaps someone you've mentored or worked with? At Hylands Tennis Club, we've been fortunate to see many young players grow into successful professionals. Notably, several of our former junior members have gone on to become doctors, captains in the Royal Marines, teachers, police officers, and scientists. One inspiring example is a young person who started as a tennis leader at Hylands, earned coaching qualifications, and eventually secured a role as an event coordinator at Wimbledon. This journey demonstrates how sports can open doors beyond the court, providing valuable skills and experiences that benefit individuals throughout their lives. How do you think community sports can help address broader societal issues, like inequality or social isolation, particularly in the context of Havering? Sports play a vital role in keeping children and young people safe and engaged, far from potentially very negative influences. Beyond physical health, sports participation boosts self-esteem and helps build a strong social network.The skills learned through sports like teamwork, communication, and resilience are highly transferable to adult life, contributing to personal & professional success. Community sports are uniquely inclusive, transcending barriers like race or social status.They focus on engaging local individuals and creating a genuine sense of community among like-minded people. By investing in sports, we create a win-win situation that benefits us all. The full Q&A session with Giorgio can be found on our website at: www.raring2go.co.uk/area/havering
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