Sport England and UK Coaching chief execs praise the nation’s coaches for keeping communities active during coronavirus lockdown
- Sport England CEO Tim Hollingsworth and UK Coaching CEO Mark Gannon joined together for a podcast to give their thoughts on the situation from a coaching perspective
- Innovative coaching practice has kept the nation active during unprecedented social restrictions
The coaching community has been identified as playing an important role in keeping communities active, as the nation adjusts to the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive Officer at Sport England has praised the innovative approach to online coaching many coaches have taken during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown, and believes that they have a vital role to play in driving community activity as restrictions are lifted.
Hollingsworth, said: “Coaches are key workers for the sports and physical activity industry. My job takes me around the country to see projects and I am always slightly in awe of the work coaches do. The quality of what I see in front of me leaves me taken-aback because it’s a very different skill set from that which I possess. That ability to make the session real and meaningful – and also to provide improvement in a technical sense – will be absolutely critical for us moving forwards.
“There is a vital need for us to think more in our strategy about the role of people in supporting our desire to make sport and physical activity have a purpose for society, and have a purpose for everyone in their individual lives.”
Hollingsworth was speaking in conversation with his UK Coaching counterpart, Mark Gannon, in a new podcast which has been released today (21 May) on ukcoaching.org.
The wide-ranging conversation, which has been released during Mental Health Awareness Week, examined the need for inspirational people in communities to drive increased activity; how the pandemic has brought into focus the way in which people can be supported; and the challenges that people may face as society moves forward.
Mark Gannon, Chief Executive Officer at UK Coaching, said: “Coaching is about people and great coaching is people-focused. One of the things we are very aware of is what will have happened to people during this period of restriction owing to coronavirus. There will be health and well-being issues and, as a result, we have worked with Sport England and Mind to make available mental health and well-being training for all of the coaching workforce – free of charge. This will upskill the coaching community to better deal with and recognise the signs of someone who has, perhaps, struggled through this period and may be struggling to reengage.”