After more than 20 years as a much loved sports coach and member of the community, Mark Wickett is hanging up his boots and putting away his kit for the final time to stop coaching.

Mark was first drawn to coaching when his son was eight years old and started playing football. As a sporty individual who had always had a natural flair for cross country running, Mark wanted to get involved and help. He rapidly progressed to become FA qualified and was also involved in management.

Although he had spent 35 years of his career in the Navy and also some time with Plymouth Argyle and the police force, coaching and teaching proved a real passion for Mark who has been a resident of Tavistock and the surrounding areas for 55 years.

Unfortunately now however, Mark has been forced to stop coaching due to ill health, however, he has had a huge outpouring of love and support from friends, family, parents and former pupils, both in person and online.

In his many years of coaching, through his soccer school, Mark has become renowned for providing fun and enjoyable football and multi-skills sessions for those of all ages, also running school activities, after-school clubs, holiday camps and sessions within the curriculum.

His range of multi-skills activities include: cricket, tennis, hockey, ultimate frisbee, netball, basketball and volleyball. His paramount focus has always been ensuring his students reached their full potential.

Mark said: ’I’ve always loved coaching because you see people, especially children, achieve. When starting out aged three or four, they learn basics such as ball and racquet skills. It’s incredible see how much they progress. Parents and schools over the years have been very thankful. Tavistock Primary was always happy with me for helping to develop listening skills. I always break things down, and if any of the students didn’t understand, I’d break it down further and we’d go over something again and again.’

In all his time coaching, Mark has celebrated many wins: two of his former students progressed to have careers in football, he won Devon Coach of the Year, won the Devon Multi Skills Award and the Tavistock ladies team repeatedly fared to huge success under his leadership.

When working with the police force, he would coach individuals who had found themselves in trouble, helping them focus their attention on sport. Mark said: ’There’s a lot of respect in football. As youngsters hit adolescence, a few can become slightly less easy to coach but I’ve never had any nonsense. I think that’s why I was brought into schools to coach people. I was always taught the importance of listening as a learning skill.’

Now he is no longer coaching, Mark plans to walk and cycle whenever he can â?? two things he enjoyed doing during lockdowns.

Fellow Coach Andy Meeds is now running Mark’s former Saturday morning session for four to eight years olds at Tavistock College. Andy said: ’It was a shock to myself to hear Mark had to stop, the conversation evolved and he asked me to carry on. We’ve done a lot of coaching together through schools. Mark’s a great friend and he’s done lots for me over the years.’