How the Women in High Performance Coaching Programme Shaped One Coaching Journey – 2026/27 Applications Close Soon
News by UK Coaching
After leaving Ukraine due to conflict, Nastasiya Uvarova reflects on rebuilding her career in climbing and how UK Coaching’s development programme reinstated her sense of belonging.
Starting again is never easy. Starting again in a new country, with a disrupted life and a career built over decades behind you, is something else entirely.
For climbing coach Nastasiya Uvarova, rebuilding in the UK meant requalifying, reconnecting, and rediscovering her place in high-performance sport.
With just two weeks remaining to apply for the 2026–27 Women in High-Performance Coaching Programme, her story is a powerful reminder of what is possible when coaches are given the right support network and opportunities to grow.
After building my coaching career over more than two decades in Ukraine, I had to rebuild it from the beginning in the UK. The Women in High-Performance Coaching Programme has been one of the most meaningful and positive experiences in my life in recent years.
Nastasiya Uvarova
Nastasiya’s journey into coaching didn’t begin with ambitions of high-performance sport, but with a simple desire to help young people develop through physical activity.
She transitioned from athletics to climbing at university, quickly immersing herself in coaching and athlete development.
What followed was a rapid progression: volunteer coaching, a role in a university sports department, and then formal positions within a state sports school, where she supported athletes to national success.
Throughout it all, her philosophy remained grounded in curiosity rather than status.
I never set out to become a high-performance coach. I simply followed my athletes’ development with curiosity, wanting to see how far they could go. Watching children who once needed support on the wall grow into independent international athletes has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
Nastasiya Uvarova
That curiosity would eventually take Nastasiya to the highest levels of the sport.
She contributed to youth national teams and preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, later delivering training camps in Ukraine and internationally.
But her understanding of high performance extends beyond podium finishes. The long-term growth of the athletes she supports is cherished above all, with many she has mentored going on to become coaches themselves.
Seeing athletes I have worked with compete at events such as Paris 2024 and the World Championships in Seoul has been incredibly meaningful. But, for me, success is not only about medals. The greatest reward is seeing young athletes grow into confident individuals, both in sport and in life.
Nastasiya Uvarova
In 2022, everything changed. Following the invasion of Ukraine, Nastasiya and her daughter were forced to leave their home in Kharkiv. Relocating to the UK offered safety, but also brought significant personal and professional challenges, including separation from her husband and the need to restart her coaching career from scratch.
Despite years of experience at the highest level, only UK-recognised qualifications would allow her to coach. She began again: studying, working, and rebuilding step by step.
Starting again in the UK was challenging. Despite my experience, I needed to complete full requalification… I began from zero, working while studying to gain the required qualifications.
Nastasiya Uvarova
After securing a coaching role in the UK, Nastasiya was encouraged to apply for the Women in High-Performance Coaching Programme.
Acceptance marked a turning point in her coaching journey and her sense of belonging within the UK system. The programme provides exposure to new sports and approaches which Nastasiya says have broadened her perspective.
Just as importantly, the programme created space for connection through mentorship and peer learning. The sessions bring coaches from different sports together to share experiences, challenges, and ideas.
In that environment, Nastasiya found a renewed sense of confidence and belief, providing benefits way beyond technical development.
The opportunity to share experiences and discuss real challenges in coaching, family life, and personal development gave me a strong sense of belonging. Although I still face some language barriers, I now feel much more confident. Step by step, my self-belief has returned.
Nastasiya Uvarova
Women in High-Performance Coaching Programme
We believe that thriving in high-performance environments requires more than expertise alone.
Our Women in High Performance Coaching Programme is designed to support coaches to grow their confidence, expand their networks, and develop the leadership and clarity needed to succeed at the highest level.
By creating opportunities to learn from mentors and connect across sports, we aim to provide a space where coaches challenge themselves, and move forward from whatever starting point they bring.
Nominations close in two weeks – start the process now.
How it works
- Coaches are nominated by their sport (NGB)
- NGBs should consider each coach’s: Development needs, career trajectory, role within succession planning
- Nominated coaches are then invited to complete an online application form
For coaches
- Express your interest with your NGB or performance lead
- Reflect on how the programme aligns with your development goals
- Be ready to engage fully with the learning experience
For NGBs and coach developers
- Identify coaches with high-performance potential
- Consider how the programme supports your talent and succession plans
- Commit to supporting coaches throughout their journey
What participants gain
- Mentoring from experienced high-performance professionals
- Learning alongside a diverse, cross-sport cohort
- Exposure to new environments and coaching systems
- Support to develop coaching philosophy and leadership
2026/27 Applications Closing Soon
Applications for the 2026–27 cohort close in just two weeks.
Coaches interested in the programme are encouraged to speak with their National Governing Body (NGB) or performance lead about being nominated, ensuring their development ambitions align with future performance pathways. At the same time, those leading coach development and talent pathways play a vital role in identifying and supporting coaches who would benefit most from the experience.
Together, this shared approach helps ensure the programme supports both individual growth and the long-term strength of high-performance coaching across sport.