South Australia’s best junior sports coach Roddy Dowdell announced

Coaches are the lifeblood of after school and weekend sport – and now SA’s best junior sports coach has been crowned.

After being nominated 15 times by friends and family of his basketball club, Roddy Dowdell has been named South Australia’s best junior sports coach.

When The Advertiser rang with the news on Thursday morning, the humble coach was overwhelmed with the news but was quick to turn any spotlight onto the kids he coaches and the Rodman Basketball club members and volunteers.

There’s no denying that sports coaches are the lifeblood of club and school sports around South Australia and Mr Dowdell is no exception.

Kylie Fort was among the individuals who nominated Mr Dowdell and said her daughter “hasn’t looked back” since commencing training with her dedicated coach.

“At the age of twelve, my daughter was suffering from major anxiety, couldn’t attend school or cope being around crowds,” Ms Fort said.

“(She) has been coached by Roddy for two years now … we owe everything to Roddy.

“Our girl’s mental health and self belief is so strong now all because of Roddy.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by fellow club faithfuls, with Monique Chapman praising Mr Dowdell’s inclusive approach to sport.

South Australia’s best junior sports coach, Roddy Dowdell, with student Jackson Pinal, 12. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“Roddy is passionate and talented about sharing his knowledge with Rodman Basketball Club,” Ms Chapman said.

“Roddy inspires our kids to love basketball … he is very dedicated.”

Despite only being in action for three years, Mr Dowdell’s club has grow rapidly from a single team to 300 players.

“I’ll be honest … I’ve trained professionals, and I’ve also trained kids that may have not a great skill set with basketball, but have the passion and I actually enjoy training the kids that haven’t got that skill set and just see them grow within the game,” Mr Dowdell said.

“I get excited when I see their development.”

The institution is 100% not-for-profit with all funds going back into the club to support their development and talented team of trainers. “(We have) a great support networking and great inclusiveness and connectivity within the club … I just love seeing it,” Mr Dowell said. Angie Coulis from Seaford dubbed Mr Dowdell as “(the most) amazing and standout coach (she) has ever seen”.

“He uplifts the children’s confidence and brings a smile to everyone’s face on and off court,” Ms Coulis added.

Outside of basketball Mr Dowdell and his partner are co-owners of the Mount Compass golf club restaurant.

“I’m finished by 10 o’clock and then I take a bit of a rest and I go and do basketball training at night,” Mr Dowdell said.

His dedication to the sport on top of his day job does not go unnoticed with parents such as Donna Woolliscroft commending Mr Dowdell’s commitment.

“Roddy has grown the club by establishing great foundations, providing incredible communication, support, leadership and a very proud club committee,” Ms Woolliscroft said.

“We are lucky enough to have SA’s best junior coach, Roddy Dowdell!”

Another fan of Mr Dowdell’s is Jackson Pinal. When Jackson started playing basketball, he struggled to find the confidence to perform on the court.

Diagnosed with level two autism, the now 12-year-old found it hard to bounce or dribble the ball.

That was until Mr Dowdell came into his life.

Mr Dowdell approached Jackson’s family about assisting him with one-on-one coaching and started training the keen baller every Saturday morning.

“(Roddy) kept telling me that Jackson had just been lacking confidence, and it’s going to take time and effort, he said, but he one day he will, he’ll be able to do it,” Jackson’s mum, Danielle Pinal said.

“Roddy’s just made him a different kid, so I can’t really thank him enough.”

Not only is Jackson now able to play the game he loves, Ms Pinal said Mr Dowdell’s efforts had improved his emotional and social wellbeing.

“Jackon was a tiptoe walker … and we were told by the occupational therapist that tiptoe walking would be almost impossible to break because he has been doing it forever but he does not do that anymore,” she said.

“(Roddy) has got it out of him and taught him how to land on two feet.

“He’s now learnt to make friends with people he’s never made friends with before. They teach how to win, how to lose, the confidence side of things and that you are important and you are special.

“It makes me proud to be a mum and proud that people get to see (Jackson’s) true self without (him) feeling judged or embarrassed about being him.”

Basketball coach Roddy Dowdell has been an integral part of Jackon's improvement as he has level 2 autism. Picture: Brett Hartwig

The beloved coach said his passion stemmed from his love of the game and his willingness to include anyone and everyone in it.

“Without, basketball in my life … I don’t know … it’s taught me so many lessons … it’s been a great pathway for my own development,” Mr Dowdell said.

“I’ll be honest … I’ve trained professionals, and I’ve also trained kids that may have not a great skill set with basketball, but have the passion and I actually enjoy training the kids that haven’t got that skill set and just see them grow within the game.

“I get excited when I see their development.”

Rodman Basketball Club, based in Seaford, runs as a not-for-profit with all funds going back into the club’s development and support of trainers.

Since opening three years ago the club has grown from one team to 300 players.

While Mr Dowdell is the heartbeat of the institution, the humble coach speaks highly of the parents and volunteers who support the club every step of the way.

“(We have) a great support networking and great inclusiveness and connectivity within the club … I just love seeing it,” Mr Dowdell said.

Kidman Park’s NFL Flag coaches shake it up

Meanwhile, footy and netball may rule SA schoolyard sports schedules, Kidman Park Primary School is shaking things with the introduction of an NFL Flag team.

Coach Sean Yates-Bock is leading a talented team to success and said he loved sharing his passion for the game with his students.

A Year 5 and 6 classroom teacher, Mr Yates-Bock has dedicated his lunch times to training up a side which has made it the NFL Flag Championship to represented SA on the national stage on the Gold Coast over the weekend.

Kidman Park Primary School NFL Flag coaches Sean Yates-Bock and Alex Kouts with their team. Picture: Mark Brake

“It is such an honour to be the coach of these guys and I am just so proud of them picking up a sport that they have never played before,” Mr Yates-Bock said.

“They’re making friendships or building friendships with students that they might not normally talk to or interact with but they’re finding that through the sport.

“They’ll chat to each other outside the game and that’s huge for me.”

This version of the sport, which is predominantly played in the United States, has a particular focus on inclusivity and requires a mix of male and female players at all times.

“That inclusiveness is huge for us, especially at our school,” Ms Yates-Bock said.

Kidman Park Primary School NFL Flag coaches Sean Yates-Bock and Alex Kouts with their team. Picture: Mark Brake

Mr Yates-Bock is not the only one responsible for coaching these young sports stars with 11-year-old student, Alex Kouts also chipping in to support the team as the offensive co-ordinator.

“I love this sport because it is very inclusive,” Alex, who has cerebral palsy, said.

“Being the assistant coach is an absolute honour, to coach all these kids who are also my friends is an amazing experience.”

The coaching duo’s hard work does not go unnoticed with team members quick to express their gratitude and praise for their leaders.

Archie Ferris goes for a touch down as Paige Schroeder gets his ribbon also chased by Coby Watson, Ky Morata, Charlie Castro-Winner and Hayden Ashfield at Kidman Park Primary School. Picture: Mark Brake

“I thank my coaches Mr Yates-Bock and Alex for obviously getting us to where we are now,” student, Paige Schroeder said.

“I’m very thankful for Mr Yates-Bock who is very supportive of us and also Alex for being our coach and telling us what plays to do,” classmate, Billy Dumanovic added.

With NFL expected to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, these students can begin to chase their dreams, no doubt with the constant support of their cheering coaches.