ITV visits Love4Life sports session
The ITV Meridian film crew paid a visit to one of Love4Life’s sport sessions last week, coached by ‘inspirational’ Lee Davis.
Lee, who owns Lee Davis Multisports, has had a visual impairment from birth, but that didn’t stop him from making a bold career move from IT to a sports coach just six years ago. On Tuesday, 25 February, ITV Meridian came along to one of Lee’s sports sessions with Love4Life members to talk about his work.
Lee said: “I became a sports coach a bit by accident, I got to the age of 35 after spending my whole working life in IT and I fancied a change in career. I have had a visual impairment from birth but have always had a love of sport, so I decided to take my disability and make it into a positive.
“I teach a whole range of sports: boxing, tennis, football,. cricket, table cricket, gymnastics and I teach ages from five to 55. I love the variety.
“It’s so rewarding coaching Love4Life, I know members get a lot from the sessions and that is brilliant. It’s not just the sports aspect that is important for them, it’s also about being social and making friends – it creates a real positive enjoyable atmosphere. I just want to give back as much as I can, really.”
Love4Life coordinator Hayley said: “Our members absolutely love sports, especially led by Lee. He’s a fantastic inspiration for people with learning disabilities to see not only can you have a disability and play sport, but you can coach other people with disabilities.
He’s a fantastic example of just being inspiring – our sessions used to be only two or three people, and now we have 20 and I believe that’s because of Lee’s enthusiasm and his drive to make this such a success.
“We think Lee is a fantastic coach because members find him exciting and passionate about sports, he gives them lots of understanding of various sports. It gives our members a great role model to look up to. It’s really important for members of Love4Life to take part in sport, not only to help their health and well-being but also so they can learn things like team skill and communication, as well as have fun.”