Coaches set for prestige awards bash
TWO sports coaches from the north-west of England are among 20 more finalists announced for next month’s prestigious UK Coaching Awards at The Tower Hotel London on 5 December 2019.
With over three million people coaching regularly in the UK, the Awards will celebrate the outstanding work a diverse array of coaches do in their community every day, enriching the lives of those around them and contributing to healthy and happy lifestyles.
Among the finalists in the Young Coach of the Year – supported by Sport Wales category is James Galt, a deaf football coach who is a beacon to people with impairments, showing that it is possible to aim high and achieve as a coach. Galt, who has gained a raft of coaching qualifications in recent years, is currently assistant coach at the Lancashire FA and Preston North End’s north-west Disability Futsal Hub, which is part of The Football Association’s Disability Talent Identification Programme.
Sasha Moore, who coaches a variety of sports to children in deprived areas of Stockport, is named in the Children and Young People’s Coach of the Year– supported by Sport Wales category. Among Moore’s innovative projects was an orienteering activity based around the game ‘Fortnite’, which brought in over 120 participants in one area.
The second announcement of finalists follows the reveal of four categories on the 22 October and now means that two-thirds of the award categories have been made public.
Speaking about his nomination, James Galt said: “As a volunteer you don’t expect to get nominated or win awards. I am very honoured that the parents at the hub have been nominating me for my work helping the players.
Helping at the hub helps deaf people understand the coaches, with me using British Sign Language if they require it. I have been a deaf player going through the system so I understand how they feel - to all the other players, I’m just one of the coaches and just one of the lads.”
Sasha Moore said: “I am extremely proud and honoured to be nominated for this award both on a personal level for myself but also for our team in Stockport.
“I am passionate about the work I do and have always loved coaching young people in all of the different capacities that I work. I find it extremely rewarding, especially working in the priority areas of Stockport and I have seen some wonderful outcomes and change in the young people.”
Mark Gannon, CEO of UK Coaching, said: “The standard of nominations we received this year has been phenomenal and truly demonstrates the diverse coaching talent we have in the UK.
“These awards are a chance for us to celebrate the work our coaches do every day of the week.
“We believe Great Coaching has a positive impact on society and builds connections in the community. The power of coaching goes further than sport itself - it enriches life skills and gives people confidence to be the best they can be.
“Congratulations to all those who were nominated, and of course our finalists. The UK Coaching Awards is always a special occasion and we cannot wait to shine a light on the exceptional work of our coaches.”
Still to be announced are the winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award, The Coaching Chain and finalists for the Great Coaching Moment of the Year prize, which will be selected by the Sports Journalists’ Association and put to a public vote.