Communication first, competition second — track and field coach nurtures SEN children through running

Sports benefit your body and improve your mood, which also gave coach Lewis a life goal, university offer, and trips around the world. Now, it is his turn to pay it forward to SEN students. “Running has taken me so far, why don’t I help other children with it as well?” 

Individual sports fit SEN

Lewis launched SEN RUNDERFUL, a social innovation project that boosts communication, self-confidence and self-esteem of SEN students through athletics training. “Winning is not the aim, but rather kids finding out their own goals in a chill environment.” Running can help them learn about themselves and release emotions, it also suits their needs. “SEN children may find it hard for group activities as they need cooperation, while individual sports don’t. This can prevent their self-esteem being undermined.” 

Lack of understanding from poor communication 

SEN students are often weak in communication, thus they are poorly understood and seen as “abnormal”, resulting in bullying. As a former teaching assistant, Lewis noticed the plight of SEN students in school. “Traditional authoritative teaching approach doesn’t work on SEN children, as they are attention seeking, and like everyone, they need care and understanding to be satisfied.” He added that every child is unique and has their own strengths. For example, autistic children may struggle with expressing themselves, but they have good memory. “They just need the right person to guide them and the right channel to communicate with others.” 

Keeping parents away from practice 

Studied psychology at university, he incorporates it into his training. To enhance his teaching skills, he has also engaged in further studies abroad. Besides theories, parents’ willingness to let go is the key. “There is a hierarchy between parents and children, which leads to arguments on a daily basis, so parents’ company during practice could be stressful for both.” Lewis therefore keeps parents away from the practice field, to give children the freedom to express themselves and space to exercise. He is both a coach and a friend to them, finding a balance in those roles is not easy but worthwhile. “They will open up once you build a relationship with them, being understanding and standing by their side.”

From coaching elites to finding meaningful cause

To let children learn how to connect with others, Lewis arranges students of varying levels to train together, so that they can get used to being around different people in a diverse society. Prior to this, Lewis actually coached elite athletes; however, he finds his work now more rewarding. “To be able to witness their progress from day to day, ever so slightly but life-changing, is what I wanted the most.”

Training students to become assistant coaches 

SEN RUNDERFUL has been selected by MakerBay Foundation’s Impact Innovation Lab as one of the Incubatees, receiving The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund. “Not every parent or teacher can support children to take part in extracurricular activities, so I hope we can reach more SEN children through this programme.” During the 6-month Incubation Period, assisted by consultants, Lewis grasped the techniques to gain more publicity, as he wishes to expand the project to train students in becoming assistant coaches, so that the positive influence of sports can carry on.