UK Coaching Awards 2024
High Performance Coach of the Year
Supported by
Trevor Painter ( Athletics )
The coach of multiple medal-winning runner and recently crowned Olympic and European 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson for the last six years , Trevor Painter is an athletics coach who cares , plans and delivers .
Demonstrating time and again his athlete-centred coaching skills and race-planning acumen , his high-performance approach and collaborative sessions – bringing in other dedicated coaches and physios where necessary – ensure the very best platform for success . In addition to Hodgkinson ’ s Olympic gold in Paris ( the first in a track event for Team GB since 2016 ) Trevor ’ s Parisian delight continued thanks to medal-winning performances from Georgia Bell ( after a six-year break from athletics ) and Lewis Davey .
Trevor currently coaches a group of 30 + athletes , seven of whom are ranked in the top 10 in their gender or age category .
Karen Jane Thorpe ( Artistic Swimming )
Leading the national programme for artistic swimming , Karen ’ s personcentred , solution-focused approach to coaching and active role in the development of her athletes have grown the sport in Great Britain and delivered significant success , culminating in a historic silver medal for Isabelle Thorpe and Kate Shortman at this year ’ s Paris Olympic Games .
She has consistently coached athletes on national and international stages , including to World Cup gold and podium finishes in World and European championships . Karen ’ s communicative and adaptable coaching style has created a high-performance environment for all . Her advocacy for gender inclusivity has expanded the sport ’ s reach , highlighted by Ranjuo Tomblin being crowned European champion in the male solo event this summer .
Many of Karen ’ s proteges remain connected to artistic swimming as coaches , officials , practitioners and mentors .
Adam Elliott ( Triathlon )
Adam ’ s success is reflected in the achievements of those under his tutelage , making him one of the world ’ s top triathlon coaches . Through his innovation and passion for consistency and performance , he has formed long-standing coaching relationships , and his selfless approach continues to promote a high-performance mentality and develop the coaches and athletes of tomorrow .
Liv Mathias ’ podium-challenging break-away performance at the London SuperTri event against the world ’ s best athletes , a fantastic year on the world stage for Sophie Coldwell , and Alex Yee ’ s accomplishments at the Paris Olympic Games – winning the men ’ s individual race and helping the GB mixed team relay secure bronze – are testament to Adam ’ s dedication and coaching prowess . Additionally , Yee later became only the second man to win both Olympic gold and the World Triathlon Series title in the same year .