INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY: CELEBRATING POSITIVE MALE ROLE MODELS

Today (19 November) marks International Men’s Day – a day dedicated to promoting positive male role models and raising awareness of men’s health!

We’re shining a light on 18 year-old Cailean Lavery from Lurgan – a talented basketballer, footballer, student and sports coach who exemplifies the qualities of a positive male role model!

How did you get into sports coaching?

I recently completed the Leisure Employability Activity Programme with ABC Council, giving me the skills and qualifications to become a qualified sports coach. I then got a position with the council as a casual sports coach on the MUGA and multi-sports programmes. I am also doing A-Level PE at St Ronan’s College (as well as Health & Social Care and Business Studies) and as part of the curriculum I have been doing some coaching with school teams and local clubs.

How important is sport in your life?

Sport has always played a huge role in my life from a really young age. Outside of playing for my school basketball and Gaelic football teams, I also play basketball for Belfast Star Basketball Club and I have represented the NI International Basketball team and I play Gaelic Football with my local club, Clann Eireann GAC.

What do you love about coaching?

I really enjoy watching kids improve and genuinely have fun playing sports, especially the two sports that I love – football and basketball. There’s something rewarding about seeing their confidence grow and knowing that I have helped them get there. I also love being able to teach kids about how playing sport and keeping active is important for overall health and wellbeing.

What qualities do you have that make you a positive role model?

I’d say I am patient and engaging with kids, especially in some of the sports programmes in areas where kids and young people can be a bit hostile. It can take time and trust to build up a relationship and get everyone working together.

Why are positive male role models important?

Kids need positive male role models to look up to – people to show them what hard work and good choices look like. Sport is fantastic for building confidence, teaching kids about resilience through the highs of winning and the lows of losing, meeting new people and making new friends, being part of a team and even the importance of creating an environment where they feel safe. To sum it up, sport can teach kids and young people skills they can carry through life and in turn, pass on to other kids and young people coming through.