Matthew Eggleton-Wood
Matt is a coach developer and researcher with experience across grassroots, high performance and Paralympic sport. He holds a Professional Doctorate in Sport, where his research explored coach development through a constraints-led, ecological dynamics approach. Previously, his work as an academic focused on coach learning and development, mentoring, pedagogy, and the design of representative learning environments, alongside his applied experience in the British Athletics talent pathway. Matt is committed to supporting research and practice in coaching through innovation, collaboration, and practitionerfocused scholarship. Matt is a Senior Coach Developer at UK Coaching with a focus on supporting coaching in the talent and performance environments, centring inclusion and diversity.
Heather Douglas
Heather is the Head of Coaching & Policy at UK Coaching, where she is dedicated to ensuring that everyone involved in sport and physical activity receives high-quality coaching tailored to their motivations, regardless of their stage on the player pathway. With 30 years of experience in Coaching Development, Heather plays a pivotal role in shaping coaching standards and policies across the UK. Heather oversees multiple key areas within UK Coaching, including managing the Coaching Team, directing research initiatives, upholding Duty of Care principles, advancing Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion( EEDI), and delivering the“ Play Their Way” programme aimed at providing excellent coaching experiences for children and young people. Heather fundamentally believes in the importance of early years in fostering positive relationships and lifelong habits with sport and physical activity, emphasising the influential role of coaches in inspiring young participants.