Up2Us Sports coaches are leaders in the field of sports-based youth development (SBYD), but they often don't receive the recognition they deserve. Coaches' Corner is our way to show our appreciation for our incredible coaches who make positive change in their communities every day!
This month we spoke with Fernanda “Fern” Rodrigeuz Martinez, a coach at CitySquash in The Bronx, New York.
Fernanda “Fern” Rodriguez Martinez is an Up2Us Coach serving with CitySquash in the Bronx, NY. Coaching a non-traditional sport in squash, she has been an active member of CitySquash since middle school as a participant and now serves as a coach. Having grown up in the program, Fern decided to take on coaching as an opportunity to give back to the same community that once gave to her.
Since Fern has been in the Up2Us Coach program, she has been able to implement some key Up2Us Sports coaching strategies to support building relationships with her youth. One of her favorite strategies is Informal Time, where Fern provides ample opportunities for her kids to connect with each other by trying other sports at the beginning of practice. Fern is also a frequent user of Demo-Show-Demo, a skill designed to provide technical instruction and demonstration while breaking it down in a step-by step process on areas of growth for each youth participant she works with. Fern has grown tremendously this past year and we're excited to have her as part of the Up2Us coach program.
“Being a coach at CitySquash has not been easy, especially balancing school and other aspects of life. But anytime I am in the court with the kids, and being that second guide for them is extremely rewarding. Anytime a student comes up to me for help or advice, it shows that they are willing to get out of comfort and speak their voices or seek some sort of help.”
Fern has served as an Up2Us Sports coach at CitySquash in The Bronx, NY since February 2024 thanks to support from AmeriCorps.
