Coaching excellence

UK Coaching CEO, Mark Gannon, talks to SportsNation about why a recent event at Buckingham Palace was an important reminder of the importance of coaching

More than 300 Olympic and Paralympic coaches were celebrated at Buckingham Palace to recognise their remarkable contribution to sport in the UK. Created in partnership with UK Coaching and UK Sport, the event, on 22 October, recognised both Olympic and Paralympic coaches with plaudits led by UK Coaching patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

The reception marked the first time that coaches in the UK have been recognised to this scale, with calls made to ensure coaches are supported ongoing to be able to continue playing the pivotal role of supporting others at every level of sport. UK Coaching CEO Mark Gannon attended the Palace and reflected on the invaluable role coaches play supporting the health, well-being and happiness of the nation.

Mark Gannon:

“For us to be able to give coaches the opportunity to attend Buckingham Palace and be celebrated was such a significant moment, and testament to the incredible work delivered every day by coaches in enabling and supporting athletes. UK Coaching’s purpose is to be here for the coach - building a healthier and happier nation through great coaching – it cannot be understated how essential coaches are in delivering wider social value through sport.

“Nearly 13 million people across the UK are coached and receive the direct benefits of being supported to be physically active. Coaches by nature are leaders, often pillars of their community, and will long continue to facilitate the accessible and inclusive opportunities we need to live active lives. But they need the support to do this.

“The picture of health and well-being in this country would look very different without coaches.

Those coaches recognised at Buckingham Palace don’t just support elite athletes – so often they are giving back to the grassroots and changing lives through the power of sport.

“UK Coaching exists to represent coaches across all activities and at all levels, to help them to develop and best support athletes or participants. Ultimately, they are the people that make sport happen across the UK, it all stops without those willing to selflessly give their time, caring for those they coach. We have a collective duty to repay that commitment.

“Helping the coaching community keep themselves up to date with the right knowledge and training is essential, we want to ensure that coaches are supported equally, as people, within sport and physical activity. So often, those who care for others can be overlooked - we simply cannot take the amazing coaching workforce for granted.”