I ditched City career to teach kids sport (From Basildon Recorder)

I ditched City career to teach kids sport

7:00am Sunday 9th September 2012 in News By Emma Palmer

A SPORT-loving dad is happier than ever after trading in his £90,000-a-year City job for a basic wage teaching youngsters how to play dodgeball David Ascott turned his back on his 20-year -career in London after becoming disillusioned with working for some of the capital’s biggest banks and financial firms.

Dad-of-one David, 41, has now started up his own business, called Enjoy-a-ball, where he holds weekly sporting sessions for children.

David, of Greens Farm Lane, Billericay , whose daughter Isabella is five, said he was alarmed at the lack of sporting clubs for youngsters.

He said: “I looked around and just couldn’t find that many things for children, especially those of a pre-school age.

“I am passionate about kids getting into sport. It’s something our country really needs to be focusing on, especially in the wake of the Olympics.

“I’ve already seen a surge in interest from parents wanting to get their children involved in sport since the Games and I reckon there will be more.

“My classes are about having fun and keeping fit, but it’s also about teaching youngsters ball control and discipline.”

David holds about five classes a week at Rose Hall, in Chapel Street, Billericay. The three to nine-year-olds who go can take part in 12 different ball games, including football, cricket, volleyball, handball and dodgeball.

David, who used to work as a compensation and bonus specialist in the City, added: “When I think back to my life up there, it makes me realise how unhappy and stressed out I was.”

l For more details about the sessions, contact David on 07713 628725.