As an extraordinary year full of so many inspiring sporting moments draws to a close, UK Coaching is encouraging the nation to vote for its Great Coaching Moment, to be announced at next month’s UK Coaching Awards.
The Great Coaching Moment Award focuses not only on the material successes of coaches but on how they ground their work in putting people first. And with each of the incredible nominees, their unique connection with their team or athlete sets them apart and typifies what great coaching is all about.
Nominated and judged by an independent panel, this year’s finalists include:
- Gareth Southgate – The England national team Head Coach protected and supported his players as they received criticism for choosing to take the knee before international matches. The outstanding leadership shown by Southgate amongst negative rhetoric, to insist England were “more determined than ever” to take a knee, encapsulated the togetherness he had created amongst his squad.
- Jane Figueiredo – Figuerido helped make Tom Daley’s already legendary GB legacy a golden one, supporting him to a first ever Olympic title. Following the diver’s heartbreak at the Rio Olympics where he was unable to reach the final, Figueiredo opted to pair Daley with new partner Matty Lee at Tokyo 2020 – and gave us one of the most inspirational moments of the entire competition.
- Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Coaching Team – Head coach Paul Shaw and his backroom staff made history against all odds, with The Sweet Chariots bringing home a first ever Paralympic gold. This was all the more remarkable, given that the team had lost all their funding just a few years out from the tournament – yet such was their belief they could succeed, the coaching staff continued as unpaid volunteers, and immortalised themselves as Paralympic champions.
- Gaz Choudhry – Choudhry stepped up for his teammates at the most pressurised moment possible as GB’s wheelchair basketball coach Haj Bhania tested positive for Covid prior to the Toko Paralympics and was unable to travel with the team. Leading the team as player-coach, Choudhry rallied the team despite circumstances conspiring against them, picking up an unprecedented bronze medal.
Discussing the shortlist for this year’s Great Coaching Moment Award, UK Coaching’s Director of Coaching Emma Atkins said:
“This shortlist showcases the year’s best coaching moments. The moments that have inspired us all, made us feel proud and at times made us all very emotional, reminding us that with great coaching, so much is possible even through adversity. These coaches have stepped up when their athletes most needed them, they have looked at what can be done, and on the biggest stages taking the pressure off athletes so they can perform at their very best. Without fail these great coaches have considered the needs of others first and have shown us all that great coaching changes lives.
“Each of those shortlisted can be so proud of their own coaching moment and I cannot wait to see who the public chooses at our UK Coaching Awards 2021.”
The UK Coaching Awards are set to take place on Tuesday 7 December 2021 and will recognise and celebrate the work of people and organisations who are making a significant impact in communities across the country.
To vote for your greatest coaching moment, visit www.ukcoaching.org/gcm-2021. The public vote will close on Monday 6 December.