Not everyone plans on becoming a coach sometimes it can just be down to the circumstances that we find ourselves in, this is exactly what happened Kirstie Ruane at Worcester Tri Club Juniors.

As a stay at home mum Kirstie used to watch and support from the sidelines as her children took part in triathlon. Then one day Kirstie was approached by the current Worcester Tri Club Juniors coaches to consider becoming a coach to help the club out and avoid it from closing, due to a shortage of coaches. Her first thoughts were "What me???" She was shocked to say the least however she took the plunge and has never looked back since.

Funded by Worcester Tri Club and a coaching bursary from the Sports Partnership Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Kirstie took the first step and attended a Level 1 Coaching Triathlon Course.

Kirstie said, "On the first day of the course I was absolutely petrified. There were about 16 others in the room and two instructors. We had to introduce ourselves, I was already in a panic, then around the table it went; "Hello I'm a Triathlete… Swim Coach… Ex-Olympic Skier… an Ironman… Personal Trainer" then it was my turn - Hello, I'm Kirstie and I'm a stay at home mum and housewife" All I could keep thinking was what was I doing here?

"I was so far out of my comfort zone, but I was there, and I wasn't going to disappoint myself or the people who believed in me (I hoped). And they were right. I'd been on the pitch side, track side, poolside, studio and gym waiting rooms watching my children be instructed and coached over the years and I didn't realise just how much I knew.

"I passed the written exam top of the class and my practical assessments were great. The level one qualification brought me confidence in myself, to coach and pass on information, technique and skills I know to be correct. It also brought me a support network and access to online coaching tools."

Kirstie has also found becoming a coach very rewarding. "Coaching young athletes, brings me great pleasure and it is very rewarding. Getting young people out in the fresh air, enjoying the outdoors, helping them feel proud of themselves for every little achievement they make."

But the best thing and the thing she most enjoys about coaching is how it makes the participants feel. She said "I enjoy the smiles, the progress, the achievements, and the laughter of my juniors. I also enjoy their parents commenting that they can see improvement in their child's technique and that their child loves it when I coach. "

Heading into an unknown world can be daunting but what Kirstie also discovered was that the people within the coaching and fitness world are very supporting and encouraging of each other. "I have some amazing mentors giving me constant help and advice, and opportunities to coach and learn. That's the best way to learn; volunteer, observe and do it! "

Plus it's given her a great confidence boost and makes her feel that she is doing something worthwhile. After finishing her level one coaching badge, Kirstie is now eager to take her level two in Coaching Triathlon, but has also enrolled at college to take a diploma in Fitness Instruction and Personal Training so that she can widen the opportunities available to her and become a little more independent as her children grow. She said "I'm excited about a whole new future."