Sport supporters called to vote for coaching heros

Have you ever had a coach who helped or supported you in your local community or sports club? Now there is a way to say thanks as nominations have opened for the inaugural North West Coaching Awards.

The North West Coaching Awards are open to individual coaches based in the North West region that have shown outstanding commitment and achieved excellent results in a certain area or with a certain individual and/or group over the last 12 months.

There are four award categories; Community Coach, Children’s Coach, Young Coach (under 21) and overall Coach of the Year categories.

The awards, which are organised by the North West Coaching Network, will allow coaches from a number of different domains to be recognised for their impact on local sport.

Each winner will receive the award in their club or community setting.

Chief Executive of Sport Northern Ireland, Antoinette McKeown, says the Awards are an excellent opportunity to recognise the dedication of our coaches in the North West.

“Sport Northern Ireland is delighted to be supporting this year’s North West Coaching Awards and to give much needed recognition our dedicated coaches. It has been an exciting year for sport in the North West and our extremely committed coaches have put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes to get our athletes to the top of their game.”

Michael McGeehin, Director of Coaching Ireland, said: “Recognising and valuing the work which our coaches do is extremely important. The North West Coaching Awards provide the perfect opportunity to say thank you to all the coaches out there on the front line.”

He added: “Good Coaching does make a difference. The Awards will recognise those coaches who are passionate about sport and in making the athletes/players that they coach and develop be the best that they can be. Coaching Ireland is proud to be part of the North West Coaching Network and to be a partner for the first-ever North West Coaching Awards.”

To nominate a coach, visit www.northwestcoaching.com/awards and simply complete a nomination form by Friday, December 6, or download a hard copy and post to The North West Coaching Awards, North West Coaching Network, 61 Irish Street, Londonderry, BT47 2DB.

Nominations will be judged and shortlisted in December and the winners will be presented with their awards in their own club environment in front of their participants and athletes.