Sunshine Coast’s best coach: Dylan Fennell from Kawana FC

The votes are in after a mammoth poll of fans, clubs, parents, players and more to crown the Sunshine Coast’s best sports coach for 2023. Read his reaction here.

Fitstop Maroochydore owner Dylan Fennell.

The Sunshine Coast is filled with top sporting talents at a junior and senior level and it goes without saying there are some even better coaches at the helm.

After more than 40 junior and senior sporting coaches were nominated the results are in for who readers have voted as the Sunshine Coast’s best.

The winner of our Coast-wide search was Dylan Fennell from Kawana Football Club, who garnered 17 per cent of the total votes.

Fennell finished in front of Paul Little (Mooloolaba SS Girl’s AFL) and Leigh Rowlands (Beerwah Bulldogs under-11) who finished in second and third respectively.

The 34-year-old, who is the head coach of the Kawana Blue under-9s, said he was humbled and grateful to be voted by the readers as the Sunshine Coast’s best.

“The support feels amazing, I’m stoked really,” he said.

“Obviously you just turn up and do your best but for that to be recognised it feels really good.”

Kawana Football Club under 9s with coach Dylan Fennell.

Fennell, who is a qualified personal trainer and owns Fitstop Maroochydore, became involved in the team through his two sons who play at Kawana.

“We’re tracking really well this season, we’ve only lost one game which is cool but the most important thing is their development,” he said.

“At this age it’s really what you’re looking for, wins are nice but it’s more about seeing them have fun, enjoying it and seeing them grow.

“Seeing them learn new things, progress their skills, have fun together and seeing the bonds and friendships between the players is a really cool feeling.

“It gives memories of myself growing up and playing and I know how much I loved it as a kid so seeing the joy that the boys get is really cool.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast’s best coach: Dylan Fennell from Kawana FC