Revealed: Local dad takes title of Gold Coast’s best junior sports coach

A local cricket dad-come club champion has taken the title of Gold Coast’s best junior sports coach for 2024. Hear from the Runaway Bay volunteer on his newest accolade:

Lewis Higgins coaching for Runaway Bay Cricket Club

Local cricket dad-come club champion Lewis Higgins has claimed the title of Gold Coast’s best junior sports coach for 2024.

Higgins soared in the votes, polling 21% compared to second placed Paul Molesworth (13%) and third placed Kingi Akauola (10%).

The father-of-three coaches at Runaway Bay Cricket Club, and received the prestige David Baird Club Person Award for the 2024/23 season after seven years of service.

“It started when my eldest boy was playing under-10s on a Friday night.

“I took him along and they were a little bit short on coaches so I jumped in and helped out,” Higgins said.

Lewis Higgins Runaway Bay

The dedicated dad has followed his kids through the age groups at Runaway Bay since, helping out wherever needed.

“My eldest boy Ollie started playing when he was six, so that was my first involvement … he’s now 12 going on 13.”

Admittedly, Higgins wasn’t expecting the David Baird Club Person Award by any means.

“It was very much a surprise, I had no idea.

“Very similar to this acknowledgment … but a very proud achievement,” he said.

“It was awarded to me by the president of the club, who mentioned it was for my service to coaching multiple teams and helping other coaches.”

Adding to the pile of surprises, Higgins said he had no clue he’d been leading the best juniors sports coach vote and instead shifting some of the praise to his fellow club members.

“There are other people in the room who do so much work to help me do what I do.

“It’s a really cool acknowledgment but it isn’t lost on me that it’s a result of the effort of other people who don’t put their hand up for praise,” he said.

“It’s a team thing as opposed to ‘Lewis, you’re a superstar look at all you do’.”

So, why coaching?

“I think seeing (kids) continually improve and having fun in the process … you don’t get to do that forever.

“And seeing my kids have fun playing with mates is really rewarding.

“It’s nice to see them enjoy doing something that you loved as a kid,” Higgins said.

As a cricket fan growing up, the newly accoladed coach said a big part of cricket – while learning – is getting used to disappointment.

“There aren’t many kids scoring 50s and 100s each week, they’re few and far between and you have to learn to deal with that disappointment.

“It builds character and I enjoy hearing about their achievements.”

Lewis Higgins coaching for Runaway Bay Cricket Club

He touched on the story of a past player, who after leaving Runaway Bay due to moving homes, and found Higgins one weekend to tell him of a 6 he’d hit the week prior.

“It’s things like that, that are pretty rewarding,” Higgins said.

“For kids who live and breathe it, that milestone is their first 50, first 100, first 5-for … for others it’s batting 20 balls or taking their first catch.

“It’s different for every kid depending on where they’re up to.”

The truth is, coaching isn’t easy. It’s not just about putting kids on a field and asking them to win.

“It’s a big commitment to coach through the summer … gets to the end and you’re pretty spent.”
As a dad of three kids aged 5, 10 and 12, Higgins boasts the ultimate to-do list and thanks his wife for her role in ticking those off.

“(I’m) certainly a busy dad and there’s a lot of running around.

“I’m very fortunate that my kids have a Super Mum, and she is incredible,” he said.

“I’m an over-qualified Uber driver, that’s the best way to put it.

“She does all the school stuff and a lot of the sport stuff … the engine room behind it all.

“The days disappear and the weeks blend into one.

“Between work and kids sport and school, it keeps us busy.”