At the end of the IMPACT project, I find myself reflecting on the past months of mentorship, which have been among the most valuable experiences in my work with young athletes so far. My name is Jurica Vidović, and I had the privilege of mentoring Tin Kereković and Juraj Harapin — two young athletes whose journeys reminded me how essential support, understanding, and patience are in the development of young people, not only as athletes, but as individuals.
At the beginning of the project, Tin was facing a challenging transition from primary school to high school. A new environment, new people, and a different pace of responsibilities affected his confidence and time management. Together, we worked on setting clear goals and priorities, developing productive habits, and strengthening his belief in his own abilities. It was not always easy — there were moments when giving up seemed like the easiest option — but Tin showed remarkable maturity and willingness to grow. Step by step, he learned how to better balance school obligations and sports training, and that progress is now visible both on and off the field.
Juraj, on the other hand, was dealing with a different challenge — balancing two sports alongside his school commitments. His strong ambition to improve in both areas often led to fatigue and feelings of overload. Through our conversations, we focused on recognizing personal limits, improving time planning, and learning to listen to both body and mind. We worked on setting realistic goals and accepting that perfection is not always necessary to achieve success. Over time, Juraj found a healthier balance, became more open in communicating about his challenges, and developed a stronger sense of organization and self-awareness.
By the end of the IMPACT project, both of them had made significant progress — not only athletically, but also personally. Tin stepped into a new phase of his life with greater confidence, while Juraj achieved a more stable balance between his sporting ambitions and academic responsibilities. For me, as a mentor, the greatest reward was witnessing them take ownership of their development and grow stronger through their challenges.
This project once again confirmed that mentorship is not simply about giving advice or direction. It is a process of shared learning, mutual trust, and continuous support. At the end of the IMPACT project, I can honestly say that I learned just as much from Tin and Juraj as they, hopefully, learned from me. The true value of mentorship lies in that exchange — in the growth that happens on both sides.
