Great Britain coaches Sean Alderson, Mike Clancy, Jeff Colton, Euan King and Pete Russell joined over 300 Olympic and Paralympic coaches at Buckingham Palace to recognise their remarkable contribution to sport in the UK.
The event was in partnership with UK Coaching and UK Sport and recognised both summer and winter Olympic and Paralympic coaches for their invaluable contribution to supporting our world class athletes.
Plaudits were led by UK Coaching patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, where coaches were invited to meet Her Royal Highness personally during the reception.
Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth, Stephanie Peacock and representatives from the Department of Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) also attended to honour the exceptional coaches behind Great Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
The reception marks the first time that coaches in the UK have been recognised to this scale, with calls made to ensure coaches are supported ongoing to be able to continue playing the pivotal role of supporting others at every level of sport.
Ice Hockey UK CEO, Henry Staelens, said: “I know this was a very proud moment for them and it was fully deserved.
“The five coaches who attended the event are a small selection of a large pool of coaches who are the heartbeat of the GB Programme.
“It’s fantastic to see them recognised in such a way and, on behalf of Ice Hockey UK, I would like to send my congratulations to them.”
Dr Kate Baker, Director of Performance and People from UK Sport, said: “We have exceptional coaches across the UK and I am so proud we are able to celebrate and recognise their incredible dedication and commitment to their sport.
“We believe that the UK benefits from being home to some of the best coaches in the world and we feel it’s important to champion and celebrate their hard work in supporting British athletes and their sports.”
Mark Gannon, CEO of UK Coaching, said: “This is a special moment for each of the coaches here at Buckingham Palace and could not be more deserved.
“We know well how much support they give to their athletes to be their very best helping them, cope with the pressure and compete on the world stage.
“We exist to represent coaches across all activities and at all levels, to help them to develop and best support their athletes or participants.
“Coaches are the essential catalyst for getting people active – the picture of health and wellbeing in this country would look very different without them – and we are here for the coach at every step of the way working to help sport thrive.”
