On Tuesday, December 6th, we attended the UK Coaching Awards event for the first time.
In its 25-year history, this was the first time Parkour coaches were nominated, and we had three very talented and inspiring coaches become shortlisted as finalists;
Sam Coppack – “The Parkour Coach Companion,” was nominated for the “Podcast of the Year” Award – Parkour Coach Companion continues to keep people connected with regular interviews and engaging episodes, bringing together international voices of parkour and curating coaching knowledge from the community.
Adam Romaine – Change a Life Award – Adam has had a profound impact on a young person named Matthew, who has Down syndrome and other complex needs. He has helped Matthew overcome significant barriers to taking part in parkour, having previously tried many other sports.
Callum Windsor – Young Coach of the Year Award – In multiple ways, Callum goes above and beyond with his sessions. His session planning extends to 3D modelling of floor plans with a detailed analysis of the optimum use of equipment. He then cascades this knowledge down to the assistant coaches and volunteers, ensuring participants enter an environment that feels structured, safe, and directed.
Although none were chosen as winners, their selection as finalists demonstrates the impact they are having and the importance of sports like parkour.
We loved the celebration of coaches and coaching, from the grassroots and the elite all the way to the volunteer/paid and new/lifelong coaches.
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists, all of whom demonstrate the impact of sport on people’s lives.
The evening was also an opportunity to enhance the relationships that we are building with other system partners to support the Sport England strategy #UnitingTheMovement.
We were joined by other members at Parkour UK, our chair Dr Tracy Rea, and Elected Director Chris Keighley. They entertained some leaders from the sector, with whom we are building strategic partnerships.
We were also joined by;
Hayley Lever from GreaterSport, which are an active partnership for Greater Manchester. They lead, support, and connect the Greater Manchester system to create conditions to enable Active Lives for All by uniting communities and creating more equal and inclusive places so people can lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilled lives.
James Hope-Gill from Skateboard GB, the official governing body for skateboarding in the UK, a membership-based and not-for-profit organisation set up to improve, support, and develop skateboarding. They aim to encourage the development of world-class facilities, help community groups get local skate parks built, create accredited coaching courses, and run competitions.
Clare Freer from UK Coaching, supports the development of coaches and coaching, with the main focus on equality and inclusive practice. They do this directly with coaches through workshops, e-learning, virtual classrooms, and communities of learning.
We were also joined by Greg Clements from Sport England, who met and heard the stories of the parkour finalists and listened to the progress that we are making through our system and the governing roles that are supporting the national strategy.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the team spent some time together at the UK Coaching offices in the center of Leeds.
It was the second time that Callun Lavington, Lynn Jung, Kieran Wylde, Simon Vardy, Chris Grant, and Dan Newton have come together as a team, and highlighted all of the key work they have done since our last all-hands meeting in September. It was also really valuable to enhance relationships and understand each other’s work.
Mark Gannon, UK Coaching’s CEO, spent some time with us, speaking passionately about their work and the progress they have made in the last few years.
This year, we have been working with Lizzie Campbell, who has helped us with the review of our Level 2 coaching course, and we look forward to extending our work with UK Coaching in 2023.
A brilliant week for us all at Parkour UK, and we are looking forward to what 2023 has to bring for us and the sport of Parkour.
