Theia’s Story: Building Tomorrow’s Sporting Leaders
At just 14 years old, Theia showed outstanding commitment and determination to pursue her passion for sport and leadership. Living over two hours away near Newcastle, she and her family made the long journey to Doncaster after discovering the Active Fusion Leadership Camp on Facebook. This was Theia’s very first experience with Active Fusion, but it quickly became clear that the opportunity was worth the effort.
Building Future Leaders
The Active Fusion Leadership Camp is a dynamic, hands-on experience designed for young people aged 15 to 24 who want to lead, grow, and make a difference through sport. The programme provides participants with the opportunity to achieve the Level 2 Sports Leaders Qualification, a nationally recognised award that develops confidence, communication, and leadership skills. Alongside this, young people also gain a First Aid Certificate, equipping them with essential life-saving knowledge and practical skills.
Participants learn directly from experienced mentors who create a supportive, team-focused environment. The camp introduces them to real-world coaching techniques, session planning and inclusive leadership strategies, ensuring they are well-prepared to take on future opportunities.
Why Active Fusion?
Theia had long aspired to complete her Level 2 Sports Leadership Qualification, but she struggled to find accessible courses near her hometown. When her parents came across Active Fusion online, the family were immediately impressed by the charity’s strong reputation and the impact it had made in supporting young people through sport. They felt confident that this would be the right environment for Theia to grow, and so they made the decision to travel over two hours and stay in Doncaster for the entire week.
Knowing how valuable the qualification would be for her future, Theia was determined to make the most of the opportunity. Despite arriving not knowing anyone, her natural energy and eagerness to learn meant she threw herself straight into every activity. Her passion for sport and her active lifestyle, gymnastics, tennis, netball, climbing, and volunteering at an outdoor adventure centre, meant she was well prepared to thrive in this new environment.
Finding Her Voice and Confidence
Although Theia arrived at camp not knowing anyone, she quickly found herself in a warm and welcoming environment where she felt supported from the very first day. The friendly atmosphere and encouraging staff allowed her to relax and fully engage in every activity. She particularly enjoyed being in a space where she could share her ideas, ask questions freely, and contribute without fear of judgement, which gave her a real sense of confidence in her abilities.
Theia also valued the mix of ages and experiences among the participants. The camp brought together young people at very different stages, some still in school, others already in work or volunteering roles. This diversity was inspiring for her, as it provided a chance to learn from a wide range of perspectives and see the many ways she could use her own skills to make a difference.
Inspiring Moments and Skills That Last
For Theia, the Fusion Leadership Camp was packed with highlights, but one moment stood out in particular. She spoke passionately about a workshop on a youth programme where everyone was encouraged to imagine and design projects that could help other children. It was a chance to think creatively, share her own ideas, and see how sport could be used to make a real difference in people’s lives.
Theia described this as “really fun,” explaining how much she enjoyed having her ideas listened to and valued. The session gave her a sense of purpose and opened her eyes to the positive impact she could create for others. At the same time, the camp gave her the practical skills to bring those ideas to life. She left the camp confident in her ability to plan and deliver coaching sessions, communicate clearly with groups of different ages, and lead in a way that was inclusive and engaging.
Theia’s dad commented, “Thank you for the warm welcome that Theia received as well as the support and guidance. Theia had a great time on the course, as well as learning a lot and even made some new friends.”
Coaches Who Inspire
Theia had nothing but praise for the Active Fusion coaching team, describing them as welcoming, friendly, and genuinely supportive. From the very first day, the coaches helped create an environment where she felt comfortable to try new things and ask questions. She explained that their feedback during practical sessions was invaluable, offering clear guidance and encouragement that helped her see where she was improving and what she could work on next.
Watching the coaches in action gave Theia a practical example of what effective, engaging coaching looks like in real life. It reinforced her understanding of how to motivate others, adapt sessions for different participants, and maintain a positive, inclusive environment, skills she now feels confident to put into practice herself.
A Future in Sports
Theia is already planning to stay connected with the Active Fusion team to explore the next steps in her leadership journey. Theia left inspired to continue building her skills, eager to take on new challenges and motivated by the realisation that she can make a lasting, positive impact through sport. The experience has given her confidence not only as a coach but also as a young leader capable of shaping opportunities for others and contributing meaningfully to her community.
You can read more stories like Theia’s here.