Tina Gordon has been selected as Coach of the Year at the recent Scottish Woman in Sport (SWiS) Awards, recognising the incredible impact the former Lothian Phoenix coach has had on the sport of wheelchair basketball. Current Lothian Phoenix Head Coach Niall Ritchie highlighted this, stating that: “Tina’s coaching has had a lasting impact on many athletes, coaches and officials across the country. Phoenix was one of those clubs fortunate enough to benefit from her guidance and time.”
Tina has supported many players to progress through the pathway from identification to club engagement and ultimately on to National representation – with current Paralympian Robyn Love one of the most high profile players who has benefited from Tina’s expertise and passion for coaching. However, the work that Tina undertakes at grassroots level is imperative to the ongoing growth of the sport and an area of work that is high on her agenda – relentlessly supporting Scottish Disability Sport programmes such as the annual Para Sport Festivals and further SDS engagement days.
Tina, currently wheelchair basketball development officer at Basketball Scotland, has been acknowledged for years of driving the development of the sport, while enthusiastically empowering players and coaches to reach their potential and achieve all they can in wheelchair basketball. Tina demonstrated her passion for the continued development, stating that “it may be an individual award but I feel strongly that it reflects the growth of wheelchair basketball that the sport and those within the sport are being recognised at the top level.”
Tina’s most recent achievement saw her guide the Scotland under 19s to a third place finish and bronze medal at this year’s School Games – the first ever celtic nation to achieve this! This was particularly pleasing for the Bathgate-based coach as it highlights the successful development work that is being driven in the sport of wheelchair basketball north of the border. The coaching team at the School Games was an all-female cast with Tina leading the way and ably supported by assistants Gemma Lumsdaine and Jen Scally – underlining the significant impact Tina has had on her peers in coaching.
A truly deserved winner of the SWiS Coach of the Year Award – well done Tina!