British Cycling has been named Governing Body of the Year at the UK Coaching Awards 2013.
The organisation was presented with the award at an event at the Montcalm, Marble Arch in London yesterday evening (Tuesday 3 December).
In addition to achieving the top award, a British Cycling qualified coach, John Gunn, was recognised with the accolade of Children’s Coach of the Year, for his dedication to Hillingdon Slipstreamers cycling club.
Over the past year, British Cycling’s Coach Education team has experienced an unprecedented demand for its qualifications and workshops. It has committed substantial resources to developing an expert, evidence-based understanding of the needs of riders and the changing sporting environment – with a particular focus on rider and coach pathways.
Successes include the completion and delivery of a full coaching pathway at Level 2 across all of the six cycling disciplines and the development of an online learning platform to support course delivery.
During the last Olympic cycle, British Cycling trained over 2,695 coaches, and more recent work has included the delivery of courses that have focussed on the needs of teachers, disability groups, women and girls, injured members of the armed services and young people.
British Cycling’s Director of Coaching, Education and Development, John Mills, said: “British Cycling has made real strides over the past year with the coaching pathway and making the move to online learning, so we’re absolutely thrilled to win this award.
“Over the past 12 months, we’ve also seen a huge increase in the number of young people participating in cycling. The growth of the sport is supported by the network of volunteers at Go-Ride clubs across the country and it is fantastic to see the efforts of John Gunn recognised by sports coach UK. The work coaches like John do in ensuring taking part in sport is a positive experience for young people, regardless of their ability, is fundamental to the health of cycling as a whole.
”John’s award is deserved recognition of the real difference to the development of the sport within his community.”
John is head coach of Hillingdon Slipstreamers, a junior cycling club. Within the past 12 months, the Go-Ride Clubmark club has grown to over 320 members and John ensures it caters for the diverse community. Voted by the young people as their coach of the year, John not only strives to excel in his own coaching, but also works hard to ensure the club is welcoming to all, with members achieving their potential whether riding or volunteering.
Although the club places an emphasis on participation and fun, the Slipstreamers have also enjoyed competition success with girls from the club ranked one and two in the under-10 rankings, and under-14 boys from the club taking the top four places at the Ride London event.
