Welsh multisport coach Rhodri Lloyd is among the first selection of finalists announced today (22 October) ahead of the UK Coaching Awards 2019.
The showpiece event, which will be held at The Tower Hotel London on the 5 December, celebrates the outstanding work of a diverse network of coaches who promote healthy and active lives, unlock potential and provide a platform for people to thrive.
Nominated in the Coach Developer of the Year category, Lloyd has transformed the delivery of strength and conditioning coaching to children through his continuing professional development in this area.
Lloyd’s knowledge relating to this topic has led to him create integrated coach education programmes for the likes of British Cycling, Welsh Athletics, McLaren and the PGA.
Speaking about his award nomination, Lloyd said:
“It goes without saying that being nominated for this award is incredibly humbling. While the award is given to an individual, being shortlisted for it is testament to the collaborative work of my outstanding colleagues at Cardiff Metropolitan University. It is a privilege to work with such a great team.
“Whether it’s cricket coaching, delivering strength and conditioning, teaching students through my lecturing or providing coach education workshops, I have always enjoyed the dynamics of teaching.
“Regardless of whether I’ve taught a child a new skill, helped them identify solutions to problems, or unlocking potential in coaches through my coach education, I have always enjoyed the honour of building meaningful relationships with those in our charge and to promote a dynamic and engaging learning environment.”
UK Coaching’s Director of Coaching Emma Atkins, said:
“The UK Coaching Awards is a true highlight of the year, giving us an opportunity to formally celebrate great coaches from a diverse range of backgrounds and thank them for all of the incredible work they do.
“Over three million people regularly coach across the UK, from grassroots to elite level, helping to create and maintain happy and healthy lives, and benefit communities. Coaches have the power to enrich the skills of the people they work with.
“This year we have added the Changing Lives Award, which recognises coaches who are empowering, inspiring and connecting people from diverse communities to overcome life challenges. It is a category which illustrates the way in which coaches can transform lives.
“I would like to offer huge congratulations to all of those who have been nominated for the first four awards. The standard of nominations we received this year was extraordinary, demonstrating the strength of coaching in the UK.
“Thank you to all our coaches across the UK, and to our finalists. We are all looking forward to celebrating your achievements in December.”
For this year’s Awards, UK Coaching reviewed and redesigned its nominations process to ensure all coaches, from grassroots to the global stage, had the greatest chance of being recognised. This included:
- consulting with key partners to redevelop award categories and criteria to recognise the wide-ranging work that coaches do at all levels and in all communities
- providing extra online guidance to support people when writing their nominations
- engaging with more organisations than ever before to promote the value of nominating coaches for the Awards
This proactive work led to a record number of nominations being submitted after the process was opened in July.
Finalists for the final eight awards will be announced in November, including The Great Coaching Moment of the Year prize. This will be shortlisted by the Sports Journalists’ Association and will be open to a public vote.
The UK Coaching Awards recognise and reward great coaching from a diverse array of backgrounds. Previous winners range from coaches and organisations working at an elite level to those making a huge difference in their community.
