Lancashire and Greater Manchester coaches honoured at UK Coaching Awards

6 Dec 2019 12:14
Published by: Kian French

James Galt, a deaf football coach working with the Lancashire FA and Preston North End, and Sasha Moore, who delivers sessions for children in deprived areas of Stockport, are among the winners at this year's UK Coaching Awards.

The prestigious annual celebration of Great Coaching, which demonstrates the role coaching plays in transforming lives and inspiring an active nation, were held tonight (Thursday 5 December) at The Tower Hotel, London.

Galt is the winner of Young Coach of the Year - supported by Sport Wales. A role model for people with impairments, Galt has proved it is possible to aim high and achieve as a coach.

In a period of two-and-a-half-years, the avid football player - who is deaf himself - went on a coaching qualification spree - resulting in him becoming assistant coach at the Lancashire FA and Preston North End NW Disability Futsal Hub.

Moore, who uses innovative techniques to bring sport to vulnerable children who have chaotic lives and few role models, has been named Children and Young People's Coach of the Year - supported by Sport Scotland.

One of her sessions involved the creation of an orienteering activity based on the game 'Fortnite', which gathered 120 attendees in one area. Among a plethora of work, Moore has also been involved in the 'Us Girls Game Changers' project, which focuses of life issues such as bullying, social media and internet safety and was named Coach of the Year at the 2019 StreetGames National Awards.

Galt said:

"When I was listening to the stories of the other people in my category, I was kind of nervous because everyone else has a little bit more experience than me. If I hadn't had won the award I would have been fine, but when I found out I had won I was really excited. I never thought I would win this, and it will definitely give me more confidence in the future."

Moore said:

"I was really shocked and overwhelmed to win to be honest. I only came here to enjoy the night. There are so many things that are rewarding about coaching but I just love being out there with young people even if we don't have the best equipment or facilities sometimes. As long as they get something from it then that is all that really matters to me."

The full winners on the night were:

Awards for Coaches:

Children and Young People's Coach of the Year - supported by Sport Scotland

Sasha Moore (multi-sport, Stockport)

Community Coach of the Year - supported by Spond

Andrew Beech (multi-sport, London)

Changing Lives Award - supported by Sport England

Ben Lampert (football, London)

Talent Development Coach of the Year - supported by UK PCA

Danielle Brayson (swimming, Glasgow)

High Performance Coach of the year - supported by UK Sport

Mel Marshall (swimming, Derby/Loughborough)

Young Coach of the Year - supported by Sport Wales

James Galt (football/futsal, Lancashire)

Coaching Moment of the Year - supported by Sports Journalists' Association

Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool FC - 4-0 win over Barcelona in the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League semi-final

Lifetime Achievement Award

Judy Murray OBE (tennis)

The Coaching Chain

Ben Stokes (cricket) - Jon Gibson, John Windows, Geoff Cock, Andy Flower and Trevor Bayliss

Hannah Mills (sailing) - Anne Barrett, Ollie Green, Alan Williams and Joe Glanfield

Awards in Support of Coaches:

Coach Developer of the Year

Sue Ringrose (horse racing, Linconshire)

Transforming Coaching Award - supported by Believe Perform

Great Britain Hockey Coach Development Offer

Coaching for an Active Life Award

The Bulldogs (boxing, Port Talbot)

UK Coaching's Director of Coaching, Emma Atkins said:

"What a fantastic night. It has been such a privilege getting to meet so many inspirational coaches.

"The range of coaching talent in the UK is astonishing and the UK Coaching Awards offers us a chance to recognise the exceptional achievements of just a fraction.

"Whether it's at community or world class level, Great Coaching is all about people - a great coach focuses on a participant's character, their feelings and motivations to help them thrive. They create healthy and happy lives and in many cases, can even change the trajectory of someone's life for the better.

"You cannot fail to be inspired by the finalists and winners at tonight's Awards. Congratulations to all of them - and to the work of all coaches doing great work all over the UK."

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