Legendary Ski Coach set to receive Lifetime Achievement at UK Coaching Awards 2024

Snowsport England’s John Shedden is set to be honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming UK Coaching Awards ceremony on 10th December.

The Award recognises the lifelong dedication and passion Shedden has shown to his sport and the substantial impact he had when creating a National Coaching Scheme which would shape the future of coaching in Snowsports.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, an integral part of the UK Coaching Awards, stands as a tribute to coaches who consistently exceed expectations in positively shaping the experiences of individuals involved in sport and physical activity.

These exceptional coaches offer integral support to their participants, addressing both physical and mental aspects, across various levels from grassroots to elite competitions.

Shedden, who initially had ambitions to be a nuclear physicist, created a National Coaching Scheme for Snowsports in England from scratch, consisting of three facets; to develop skiers (and later snowboarders); to develop the organisers and officials of activities and events and to create and educate coaches who could lead and train the individuals within the scheme.

He then dedicated the rest of his coaching career aiming to improve all aspects of the scheme with the greatest focus on the training and education of his coaches.

“After all there is a world of difference between the small artificial ski slopes that our children learn on and the winter long snow slopes in the mountains of our competitors. 

“To have spent a lifetime seeking to introduce and then enhance “coaching” into Snowsports and now, this evening, to have that recognised by my peers and colleagues outside of Snowsports is such an honour that, “Thank you” seems so inadequate but you have made an old man very happy indeed.”

UK Coaching’s CEO Mark Gannon praised Shedden and each of the exceptional finalists – with the winners to be revealed at the ceremony on 10th December – reflecting on the huge variety of coaching talent for this year’s awards.

“A key priority for us is to be there for every coach and support them to provide amazing experiences in sport and physical activity. Coaching is so important to everyone regardless of level of ability or experience, and it’s down to the incredible dedication of John and others like him that people will want to start and stay active throughout their lives.

“We are very much looking forward to celebrating together at our UK Coaching Awards ceremony, bringing together the coaches that are going above and beyond to deliver outstanding experiences for their participants and who make a real difference in their community.”

The awards will be held on 10th December at the Queens Hotel in Leeds.

Find out more about this year’s finalists and the awards by heading to www.ukcoaching.org/uk-coaching-awards.