I prided myself on being rational and easy-going. Then I started coaching competitive kids’ sports | Myke Bartlett

Coaching has brought me into close and uncomfortable contact with aspects of my own character that had been hitherto concealed - much like parenting

Karma may not be instant, but it is invariably ironic. So it is that, after four decades of remaining steadfastly opposed to competitive sport, I now spend early mornings, late afternoons, occasional evenings and every weekend driving my children to an ever-expanding range of sporting activities.

The sharpest twist of the irony blade is that, having spent my own childhood as the player no wise coach would want on his team, I am now the coach of four separate floorball teams. (Yes, I know you haven't heard of floorball, look it up.) To coach one team may be regarded as an accident; four looks like a weird addiction. But here I am.

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