Cycling coach Nicky in the running for top award
CYCLING coach Nicky Harverson, from Cheltenham, is one of the finalists for this year’s UK Coaching Awards.
The showpiece event, seen as one of the most prestigious within the coaching community, will be held virtually on Thursday, December 3, to honour and reward the work of coaches across the UK.
The annual ceremony aims to recognise the contribution coaches make in transforming lives in communities nationwide – especially poignant this year, against the backdrop of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Nicky has been nominated as Children and Young People’s Coach of the Year for her work as an ambassador for cycling within the local community.
She is chairman and coach of Cheltenham Town Wheelers bike club and has kept her community active during the lockdown period, organising weekly group rides and fun challenges.
She said: “At first I couldn’t really believe what I was reading, then as it started to sink in I felt two overriding
I am better at what I do because of the inquiring minds of the riders that I have had the pleasure to coach
emotions. The first is a huge sense of pride in being recognised for doing the work I love and the second is a sense of excitement about what this could mean for the club where I coach.
“It has helped me reflect on my coaching journey, which started about five years ago. I have coached in schools and at Cheltenham Town Wheelers as well as supporting the British Cycling, South West development centre and helping to run Cheltenham’s community cycling festivals.
“I get a huge amount of enjoyment from helping children to learn to ride their bike, right through to supporting them to compete at a regional and national level.
“It is the challenge from the young riders that inspires me most and I can honestly say I am better at what I do because of the inquiring minds of the riders that I have had the pleasure to coach. Being nominated and selected as a finalist feels amazing and I am still finding the words to express how much this means to me.”
Nicky Harverson