Mentoring

Mentoring has always been at the heart of what I do. I’m passionate about helping people learn, grow, and reach their potential — whether that’s on the pitch, in the classroom, or within their professional environment.

I’m currently working with England Para footballers on the Sporting Excellence Professional apprenticeship, providing tailored 1-to-1 mentoring to help players manage the balance between performance, education, and life beyond football.

In recent years, I’ve also mentored coaches through an Active Sussex project, supporting them to build confidence, develop their delivery, and create more inclusive environments. Before that, I spent over three years as a Health and Wellbeing Coach, working 1-to-1 with adults to set goals, develop motivation, and make lasting lifestyle changes.

My mentoring experience also extends into education, having supported student coaches at the University of Chichester and provided informal guidance to staff and volunteers during my time as Disability Manager at Albion in the Community. Across all these roles, I’ve seen the power of mentoring to inspire reflection, spark progress, and unlock potential.

I hold a range of mentoring-related qualifications, including Motivational Interviewing techniques, which shape my approach — one built on trust, listening, and helping people find their own solutions.

If you’re looking for mentoring support — whether for coaches, athletes, or staff — I’d love to explore how we can work together to help people thrive.

Athletes

We are able to offer mentoring to adult and youth athletes across the disability sport landscape, offering bespoke support to help work with individuals to improve their mindset and approach to performance.

My approach to athlete mentoring is built around the individual. Everyone’s journey is different, and effective support starts with taking the time to really listen — to understand the person behind the athlete.

Through a person-centred approach, I create a space where athletes feel heard, valued, and supported to take ownership of their development. Mentoring sessions are tailored to each person’s goals, challenges, and environment, helping them build self-awareness and the tools to manage both performance and personal growth.

A key focus of my work is on developing confidence, resilience, and a high-performance mindset. Together, we explore how to handle setbacks, stay focused under pressure, and maintain balance in demanding environments — whether that’s in elite competition, training, or daily life.

My role isn’t to tell athletes what to do, but to help them find their own solutions, build belief in their abilities, and strengthen the habits that drive sustainable performance. The aim is always to support long-term success — on and off the pitch.

"Working with Paul is one of the highlights of my week. His mentorship has been unmatched throughout my sporting career. His passion for football, deep knowledge, and wealth of experience enrich every conversation we have. I can already see the impact on my development thanks to his unique perspective and ability to approach situations differently. Paul is truly a one-of-a-kind."

Sam Gough, England Women's Blind Football Captain and International Rower

Providing bespoke mentoring sport to coaches in grassroots, community or disability sports and football

“I am pleased to say Paul has always been there since we first met a number of years ago, as a friend, colleague and mentor. Our regular texts and chats help me tremendously. Paul has a view of things that helps bring clarity to my thoughts and approach to numerous situations.

I trust his judgement and values and that has enabled us to share thoughts and help each other, not only in our professional lives but also with our growing families!"

Neil Plimmer, JOLF Ltd

Coaching can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel challenging and isolating at times — especially in grassroots, community, or disability football, where support networks aren’t always in place. My mentoring aims to fill that gap.

I offer a person-centred approach, providing coaches with time, space, and genuine support to reflect on their practice, build confidence, and grow their knowledge. Every conversation is about the individual — listening first, understanding their environment, and helping them find practical ways to develop their skills and confidence.

Mentoring focuses on best practice, player development, and inclusive coaching, helping coaches strengthen their understanding of how to get the best out of themselves and their players. It’s about encouraging self-belief, reflective thinking, and a mindset of continuous improvement — all within a supportive and positive environment.

Whether a coach is just starting out or looking to refine their approach, my aim is to help them feel empowered, confident, and equipped to make a lasting impact on their players and community.

Coaches