There are just a few weeks left to give the UK’s finest community sports coaches the recognition they deserve at December’s UK Coaching Awards. 

The annual awards, run by UK Coaching, recognise and reward great coaching at all levels of sport and activity, from community to high performance. 

Award nominations close on Friday September 21 and the glittering ceremony of great coaching takes place on Thursday November 29 at the Honourable Artillery Company in London. 

Many of the awards highlight the work of coaches in the Sport for Development sector, in particular the Community Coach of the Year. 

Last year this was won by Marcellus Baz (pictured above centre), head coach and founder of the Nottingham School of Boxing and the SwitchUp project, which works with vulnerable youngsters from the hardest to reach sections of society, including ex-offenders and others at-risk of entering a cycle of re-offending. 

Marcellus, himself an ex-gang member and inmate, offers wraparound support that extends way beyond the boxing ring, helping young people find accommodation and boosting their employability through education and training. 

Another of last year’s winners was Sam Barlow, founder of Fitmums & Friends, who picked up the Coaching Intervention of the Year award. 

Fitmums & Friends offers social running, cycling and walking sessions across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire for all ages. It has helped hundreds of people lead a more physically and socially active life. 

UK Coaching’s Director of Coaching Emma Atkins, said: “Across the UK, great coaching goes on day-in-day-out across the UK. You can celebrate great coaching by nominating a coach who has made a difference to the lives of others. 

“Let’s get together and embrace the power and value of coaching and the committed individuals who coach. Remember coaching is about people; people transforming the lives of others.” 

For the Awards, UK Coaching uses the broad definition of coaching and welcomes nominations on behalf of coaches, instructors, leaders, teachers, trainers and others who support people to achieve their sport and activity goals. 

Nominate a deserving coach today at: www.ukcoaching.org/UKCoachingAwards