Getting to know: Kyle Bestley, Ignite Sport coach and tutor

Sport has been Kyle Bestley’s passion ever since he first kicked a football as a toddler.

Growing up, the 23-year-old played a number of sports locally and was part of Oxford City U18s remarkable FA Youth Cup run to the competition’s third round in 2016.

At weekends, he represents Thame United. But inspiring the next generation of young athletes and coaches while supporting the provision of sport in Oxfordshire is what Kyle does best.

He joined Ignite Sport full-time in August 2021 after several years delivering our fun and inclusive sports-based holiday camps on a part-time basis.

Now, Kyle combines delivering our Level 2 Community Activator Coach apprenticeship with coaching Oxford City Football Club’s Junior and Youth teams, working with Special Educational Needs (SEN) pupils and delivering Catch 22 sessions.

Working with participants of different backgrounds, abilities and ages means Kyle is required to adapt his engagement approach daily so sport is accessible to everyone.

“Combining coaching with being a tutor to educate the next generation of sports coaches really appealed to me,” said Kyle. “Collectively, we have an ambition to make sport accessible to everyone regardless of the challenges or barriers they might face.

“I grew up playing sport and understand how it helps people develop skills which are essential to life both professionally and socially.

“Being able to tutor young aspiring coaches and help them understand the power of sport while directly impacting the lives of people of all ages through coaching is really rewarding.

“Every day is a new challenge. On Mondays I could be working with our Oxford City Junior and Youth U6 players but the next morning I’ll be coaching people where simply attending a session in the company of others is a great achievement.

“That’s what makes my role at Ignite Sport so special.”

Kyle’s career pathway to Ignite Sport started in 2015 when he enrolled onto Velocity Football – our sister company and a full-time educational academy based at Oxford City FC.

He achieved top grades from Velocity’s Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport programme and used his education to work in the leisure and education sectors before joining our team.

Kyle added: “I feel like I’ve experienced the full circle – from student to graduate, employee and now coach and tutor.

“Velocity Football taught me the skills I apply to my work every day. Engaging with people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities means I must be able to adapt my delivery and communication every day.

“Velocity Football definitely sparked my interest in my current career pathway. It’s an exciting time to be at Ignite Sport, we’re expanding and from a teaching and learning aspect I feel my development has really accelerated in recent months.”