UK Coaching Awards 2024
Welcome from Atholl Duncan , Chair , UK Coaching
A warm welcome to the Queen ’ s Hotel , for the 2024 UK Coaching Awards . This night reliably stands out as a highlight of my year , filling me with joy and pride in our coaching workforce .
The UK Coaching Awards offers a powerful reminder that great coaches build great communities . Tonight , we will honour the outstanding efforts of coaches who create lasting change by inspiring people to be their best selves . Their dedication and guidance lead to richer and more active lives , better individual health and welfare outcomes , and healthier , happier communities .
We recognise , however , that there are still significant barriers for some individuals and communities in getting access to coaching . This is why we remain committed to growing the coaching workforce , especially in our poorer communities , to ensure that coached activity is accessible to people from all backgrounds , abilities , and motivations .
By eliminating barriers to getting active for specific populations and building a coaching workforce that reflects the diversity of the UK population , we can create a land of opportunity where everyone has the chance to lead healthier , more active lives – reaping the benefits both of being coached , and of being a coach .
In October , I had the privilege of speaking at a special celebration event at Buckingham Palace for around 350 of our summer and winter Olympics and Paralympics coaches , accompanied by our Royal Patron , Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal . The dedication , expertise , and unwavering support of these coaches have been instrumental in shaping the success of our Olympic and Paralympic heroes . Each medal represents thousands of hours of hard work from both athletes and coaches , and every one of them truly earned their moment in the spotlight .
But we shouldn ’ t forget that for every Olympian and Paralympian , it takes around six coaches to guide them from being introduced to the sport at school or junior level to standing on the podium on the greatest stage of them all .
Tonight is about honouring all coaches , in their many roles and capacities , and the invaluable contributions they make .
I sincerely hope you treasure every moment of this evening ’ s ceremony .
Atholl Duncan , Chair , UK Coaching