Coaching became something he eventually became hooked on but it did not seem like much fun when he first started out over 10 years ago.
"When I first started it, I hated it. I didn't know what I was doing for the first two years."
Now some time later, he's got a few credentials under his belt and he seems nowhere near ready to hang up his head coach's hat/whistle/clipboard.
Roby Sharpe was hired as a teacher in his hometown of Yorkton of all places and was thrown into the head coaches role of the Yorkton Regional High School (YRHS) junior football team, he said.
Being able to work in his hometown was a huge plus but he said it didn't make being a coach any easier. "The teaching job led to it," he said.
Sharpe started with the YRHS junior football program and also coached a number of other sports including track and field, basketball and some weightlifting.
According to Sharpe, it runs in the family somewhat.
"My dad coached lots."
He said it's the opportunity to really watch kid develop that made the youngest Sharpe want to get involved. "It's a real chance to change a kid's life," he told the paper. Now that he's been at it for some time, the best part is that he actually sees some of his 'works' progress to higher levels.
Then-student Jordan Matechuk advanced to university football in British Columbia and currently is in his final year of a deal he signed with the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Matechuk also spent time with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
"Now, I've been coaching long enough to see that (I'm) changing someone's life," offered Sharpe.
He also helped develop Chad Nehring, who just recently signed his first professional hockey contract with the Idaho Steelheads.
Sharpe's biggest accomplishments include a city championship in the Regina Intercollegiate Football League, and recently helping to start up the Yorkton Minor Football Association.
An example of the amount of hours that go into coaching football, Sharpe said he holds practice for three hours five days a week. On Mondays, he and the coaches review game film, on Tuesdays they break it down for the players and on Wednesdays they show the players.
He said his dad Barry was his main influence.
"He's always been supportive. He's the ultimate coach."
He said there is always a need for coaches and referees in high school football, but it is not an easy thing to do.
"Coaching takes a lot of time and energy. I've seen coaches that aren't good with people. (But) some guys are really smart."
The week of May 22-29 has been designated as Coaches Week in Saskatchewan by the CAS (Coaches Association of Saskatchewan).
