Volunteer Week - Coach Nathan
Sports are integral to Emerald Youth’s work to engage more Knoxville youth in health and wellness initiatives. Our coaches and volunteers go above and beyond - Not only do they coach and invest in kids on the court or field, but they also are investing in many lives outside of sports.
Nathan started volunteering with Emerald Youth in 2012, when he joined his friend, David Haskell, to coach a middle school rec league basketball team. The following spring, he started helping with the AAU/Competitive teams and he has been coaching in that league during the Spring and Fall ever since.
Nathan said he volunteers with Emerald Youth because…
“My family and I have something to give and there is a need to serve, but its more than just that. Jesus told us to love God and love others. I feel like the opportunities to serve through Emerald have provided an avenue to do both. I love the young men that I coach, and it has been a great opportunity for me and my family to form long lasting relationships with people who are outside of our immediate community, while sharing, and at times receiving the love of Jesus Christ.”
As a AAU/Competitive team coach, Nathan is responsible to plan and manage the entire tournament season, including managing travel and accommodations for non-local tournaments. They practice weekly and on tournament weekends kids are picked up, transported to the tournament, fed, lodged, and get to play! “There is plenty of time during the weekends for discussions and mentoring, but we also make time for at least one focused devotional or "chapel time" discussion each weekend,” said Nathan.
Volunteering with the Emerald Youth through the sports program has impacted his life by getting to know kids, their families, and learn about their lives. He said this has greatly impacted his family and the relationships with the young men on his team have extended well beyond the basketball court and the basketball season. Want to see how you can get involved? Visit our Volunteer page.