Up2Us Sports coaches are leaders in the field of sports-based youth development (SBYD), but they often don't receive the recognition they deserve. Coaches' Corner is our way to show our appreciation for our incredible coaches who make positive change in their communities every day!
This month, we spoke with Kieran, a coach at Youth Mentoring Partnership in Philadelphia, PA.
Tell us more about yourself! You can share whatever you are most comfortable with. Where are you from, and how long have you been involved with Up2us sports as a coach?
After a long career in sales and also coaching basketball and martial arts, I joined Up2Us/YMP. I am about to complete my second year working in the Coatesville school district and coaching basketball.
As a coach, what do you feel your biggest accomplishment has been?
My biggest accomplishment is my marriage of 44 years.
Are there any cool facts about yourself that you would like to share?
Cool things. I have 4 grown sons, 6 grandchildren. I've run marathons and I'm a third-degree black belt in martial arts.
Tell us a little bit more about the athletes you work with! What does a typical practice look like? What are your favorite drills/team activities to do?
I coached 9th grade basketball. My practices are always planned and structured with discipline and clear expectations.
What do you like most about coaching your athletes?
The thing I like most about coaching is the chance to build relationships. As a coach/teacher of a sport, you can use the sport to gain leverage with the players toward teaching broader lessons. The fact that the kids want to be in "class" gives us an advantage in reaching them.
“The thing I like most about coaching is the chance to build relationships. As a coach/teacher of a sport, you can use the sport to gain leverage with the players toward teaching broader lessons.”
As for what’s next for Coach Kieran? He will continue to be a role model and inspiration to his athletes at YMP, representing Up2Us Sports and Philadelphia.
Coach Kieran with his wife, Anne, who is also an Up2Us Sports coach at Youth Mentoring Partnership. Read more about Anne here, where she was featured for Women’s History Month.
Kieran has served as an Up2Us Sports coach at Youth Mentoring Partnership in Philadelphia, PA since August 2022 thanks to support from PennSERVE and AmeriCorps.
