For most people, swapping accountancy for coaching trampolining wouldn’t add up. But for Heather Sargent it was justified. Last week, her hard work was recognised as she was voted Nation Radio’s disability coach of the year.
After 10 years of being an accountant, she was roped in to coach her daughter a Aimee – a Welsh international trampolinist – during training. With a new career in coaching off the ground, she decided to coach in the field of disability sport. Heather founded her charity, Rebounders, in 2002. “I used to work in leisure centres, church halls – all around the place,” she says. In 2007, the group would move to their current home in Ocean Park, Cardiff.
“It’s very rewarding. It’s just a very enjoyable job,” she says with a smile directed at the newest arrival to her class.
What goes up…
She works a six-day week, but sometimes works on Sundays to travel with the children to competitions. With great pride she admits to having trained Welsh and British champions with disabilities. Passionate about the sport and the people she coaches, gravity never has an effect on her standards: for her, what goes up must stay there.
Despite often dealing with challenging behaviour, Heather and her team pride themselves on their ability to remain calm. “You have to be very firm. You have to know each person and how to get them to achieve things.
“Everyone who comes here is different. They all have different challenges in their lives; they all have different disabilities. All my coaches are taught to coach in exactly the same way so none of the kids are ever confused. They always know exactly what to expect.”
“There’s nobody you can turn away or that we would want to turn away.”
Not only does Heather cater for the young of body, but she also works with the young at heart. Whether you’re seven or seventy; receive pocket money or withdraw a pension, you are made welcome. “There’s nobody you can turn away or that we would want to turn away,” she says.
On November 5, Heather was named Nation Radio’s disability coach of the year. Surprised by the victory, she says, “It’s just nice to know that so many people appreciate what we do and voted for it. Most of the people at the awards had never heard about us, so we were able to tell people about what we do.”
A dry sense of humour
Gareth Slocombe, one of the Rebounders team, reliably reports that Heather has a dry sense of humour. But despite being able to have Gareth in hysterics, her professionalism and sense of duty to the cause never wavers. She demands from her team a willingness to get to know the children who bounce enthusiastically through her door, and for them not to be scared of people with disabilities.
As the evening’s lessons begin, Heather stands behind the desk of her corner shop and talks to two parents about the events of the day. There is a strong sense of family at Rebounders; a convivial atmosphere which stems from the undoubted head of the household – Heather.
Looking to the future, she predicts, “We’ll definitely have a few more centres around the place”.