Other Life: A sporting spirit

Broker Ivo De Jesus uses his experience as a former professsional footballer to bring his community together

Other Life: A sporting spirit

Broker Ivo De Jesus uses his experience as a former professional footballer to bring his community together

When Sanford Finance director Ivo De Jesus saw how youth football was becoming a user-pay system, he and two friends launched MyCoach Football to make elite football choaching available at the grassroots level – free of charge.

De Jesus attributes his skill in coaching to his passion for the game and his previous professional playing experience, both in the National Soccer League and overseas.

“The program is about giving back to the community and providing high-level coaching based on merit, not cost,” De Jesus said. Participants train twice a week and compete on weekends.

MyCoach Football has only been in full swing for two months, but it has already received an overwhelming response from parents and the community. Its coaches are looking to attract more players next season.

De Jesus applies lessons he learns from coaching to his business, and vice versa. In both roles, he aims to educate and be a positive influence. “The most important thing for me is building a positive culture.”

Balancing it all is far from easy, but he remains driven by a popular saying: ‘If you find ways without any obstacles, they probably lead nowhere’.