How Sport, Mentoring and Role Models Can Change a Child’s Life: Dominic Fenton from The Activity Connector
When we talk about children’s activities, it’s easy to focus on the obvious benefits.
Children learn new skills. They make friends, build confidence, get active and have fun.
But sometimes the impact goes much deeper than that.
For Dominic Fenton, founder of The Activity Connector, sport wasn’t just something he enjoyed as a child. It became the thing that helped him through one of the hardest periods of his life.
In his interview with Krissy Monaghan on The Class Business Podcast, Dominic shared:
“I was bullied at school. I was suicidal at 14, but it was rugby that kept me going.”
That one sentence captures exactly why children’s activities matter.
Because for some children, a club, coach, mentor or activity isn’t just an extra thing they do after school.
It’s a safe space.
A support system.
A a place where they feel seen.
From Rugby To Supporting Young People
Dominic has played rugby since the age of five and coached for many years. Today, through The Activity Connector, he works with charities, sports groups, community organisations and schools across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
His work includes supporting organisations to get into schools, running sports events for SEND children through a national charity, and placing mentors into secondary schools to support young people who are struggling with attendance, behaviour or confidence.
Sport is still at the heart of much of Dominic’s work, but his bigger focus is impact.
As he explained:
“It’s about those people around you supporting each other.”
That’s something many class business owners will recognise. The activity matters, but the relationships around the activity often matter even more.
Every Child Needs An Outlet
Dominic is clear that the answer doesn’t have to be rugby.
It could be football, athletics, cricket, dance, drama, music, art or something completely different.
What matters is that every child has the chance to find something that gives them confidence, connection and a sense of belonging.
“Every child needs to find what their hobby is or their outlet is.”
That message is especially important when we think about children and young people who may not feel academic, confident or comfortable in traditional classroom settings.
Activities can give children:
- A trusted adult outside their usual school environment
- A sense of achievement and progress
- A positive peer group
- A place to build confidence
- A reason to keep showing up
For Dominic, that was rugby. For another child, it could be any activity that helps them feel like they belong.
Why Mentoring Matters In Schools
One of the most powerful parts of Dominic’s work is his mentoring programme in secondary schools.
The mentors work with young people who may be struggling to attend school, finding lessons difficult or dealing with challenges that affect behaviour and confidence.
Sometimes, Dominic explained, young people need someone who isn’t a teacher to talk to.
That doesn’t take away from the work schools are doing. In fact, Dominic was very clear that teachers have an incredibly difficult job. But a mentor can offer a different kind of relationship.
“Part of the reason I set it up was I wished that I had that when I was younger.”
Over the last two years, the mentoring programme has supported around 70 young people. Dominic has seen young people begin to enjoy school more, attend more regularly and feel more supported.
That’s the kind of impact that doesn’t always show up instantly, but it can change the direction of a young person’s life.
Working With Schools
Dominic also shared practical advice for activity providers who want to build stronger relationships with schools.
His advice was not to rely on one email and hope for the best.
Schools are busy, inboxes are full, and the first step is often building trust.
Useful ways to approach schools include:
- Following up after sending information
- Building relationships with existing school networks
- Working in partnership with trusted organisations
- Asking schools you already work with for introductions
- Understanding who the right contact is, such as the SENCO, PE lead or headteacher
As Dominic explained, reputation and trust matter.
“It’s all about reputation, it’s about trust.”
That’s a strong reminder for any class business owner trying to grow school relationships. It isn’t only about selling a session. It’s about showing schools that you understand their world and can genuinely support their pupils.
Judging The Class Business Awards
Dominic is also one of the judges for the Class Business Awards, and his perspective on the applications was really powerful.
Having entered and judged awards before, he understands how important it is to tell the story behind the business clearly.
When reading the applications, the thing that stood out most to him was the “why” behind each business.
“I love the stories about why.”
He also recognised the reality behind running a business.
“We all know it’s not easy running your own business.”
For Dominic, judging is a privilege because it gives him the chance to see the difference class business owners are making across the sector.
From sports and mentoring to SEND provision, school support and community programmes, the applications show just how much impact activity providers are having every day.
Watch The Full Interview
Dominic’s interview is a brilliant reminder that activities are never just activities.
They can build confidence, create belonging, support mental health and give children the role models they need at exactly the right time.
Watch the full interview with Dominic Fenton on our YouTube channel.
