Chris & Charlotte Coates: North East Duo Bringing Family Spirit to Cornhole

From a family day out at York Maze to competing on the national stage, Chris and Charlotte Coates have turned a casual introduction to cornhole into a full-blown passion—and a growing movement in the North East.

Hailing from Whitley Bay, just ten miles outside Newcastle, the father-daughter pair are making their mark on and off the boards. Charlotte, a Year 8 student with a love for books and WWE wrestling, discovered cornhole during a family trip in 2023. A few throws later, the spark was lit. Chris—drawn to the game's mix of simplicity and precision—soon built a set of boards, discovered the UKCL, and ordered their first set of Sneak 1–6 bags. From there, their journey took flight.

“The rest,” Chris says, “is history.”

A former rugby player and motorsport fan, Chris now balances life as a Service Delivery Manager for a payroll and HR software company, time with his partner Claire and kids, long dog walks, and a healthy addiction to cornhole podcasts—especially Just Board It.

From Sidelines to Showdowns

Chris debuted at the UKCL Open in October 2023, while Charlotte cheered him on. But by Qualifier 1, she was throwing bags alongside him. That tournament remains her favourite to date, especially memorable for games against Pauline Pettitt and Cooper Davis—two opponents who brought out her best performances.

For Chris, Qualifier 4 proved pivotal. With strong rounders wins and his first-ever competitive four-bagger—thanks to his favoured slide/collect combo—he’s steadily climbing the ranks and building confidence heading into Nationals.

Building a Community in the North East

With a mission to grow the sport locally, Chris founded the Newcastle Cornhole Club. Wanting to broaden the appeal to families and younger players, he and Charlotte then launched the Whitley Bay Ducks Club, a nod to their hometown's coastal charm.

Although his calendar hasn’t yet allowed for participation in international ACO or ACL events, Chris is determined to represent on a bigger stage when the opportunity arises.

Aiming for Nationals—and Bragging Rights

With Nationals on the horizon, Chris is eyeing a deeper run into the bracket. Charlotte’s aim? Far simpler—to beat her dad.

How would he feel about that? “Both gutted and elated,” Chris admits with a smile.

Their cornhole journey may have started by chance, but it’s now driven by community, competition, and a shared passion that’s bringing one North East family even closer together.