An asylum seeker who came to Australia to compete in the Commonwealth Games is helping the next generation of local athletes reach for their Olympics dreams.
Abu Bakarr Kamara arrived on the Gold Coast in 2018 to represent Sierra Leonne in beach volleyball, guiding his team to the semi finals before going down to the host nation in two sets.
He stayed on once the competition wrapped up and applied for a protection visa.
The 26-year-old has since played for indoor and beach volleyball teams across Sydney but after becoming sidelined with a knee injury, turned his attention to coaching club and state squads.
As a volunteer assistant coach Kamara this month helped the NSW Phoenix Sky under-19 men's team to glory at the Australian Junior Volleyball Championships, beating the Queensland Maroons in three sets.
"It's a dream come true for me," he told AAP.
After a narrow defeat in 2022, the championship win has inspired the squad.
"We finished second last year and we weren’t happy with the result," Kamara said.
"We worked on our mistakes and the result this season was immaculate."
His role involves training players, selecting teams, making tactical decisions and getting results.
Kamara is determined to become a full-time coach and considers training the boys a huge stepping stone.
"It’s really good for me as I am working on becoming a professional coach irrespective of my visa status in Australia," he said.
The squad has its sights set on the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.
"I can't wait to be one of the coaches for the Games," Kamara said.
"I like coaching young people and that makes me happy.
"As an ex-player for my country, being in Australia helping out the young players is my dream and my project, that’s what I love doing."
Although the latest census data is still to be released, there were almost three-and-a-half thousand people born in Sierra Leone who were living in Australia prior to Kamara's arrival from the west African nation, in 2016.
His protection visa application is still being processed.
