Legendary ski coach receives Lifetime Achievement at 2024 UK Coaching Awards
News by UK Coaching
The career of industry-shaping ski coach John Shedden celebrated at this year's UK Coaching Awards.
Snowsport England’s John Shedden was honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 UK Coaching Awards ceremony held at The Queens Hotel in Leeds on December 10.
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.
Reflecting on his award win, Shedden said:
Very proud indeed but more than proud, I’m immensely grateful for this recognition, on behalf of all the all the skiers and boarders and their coaches, that have done all the hard work to make British and in particular English Snowsport as successful as it has become today.
“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.”
Looking at his illustrious career, Shedden added:
My personal coaching journey has been a great adventure. It has been daunting and challenging and there were times of great anxiety but also excitement and fulfilment. The never-ending quest for greater insight into the learning processes which shape the lives of athletes, coaches and officials alike and the inspiration from M Coubertin’s observation that, ‘it’s not the winning that matters but the manner of taking part’.”
UK Coaching’s CEO Mark Gannon praised Shedden and each of the exceptional finalists, reflecting on the huge variety of coaching talent for this year’s awards.
It is a great honour to be able to recognise coaches in this way and I would like to extend a huge congratulations to John on his truly incredible work over many years as an outstanding coach, educator and visionary. To create a National Coaching Scheme like he has, has allowed Snowsports coaches in this country to be the best they can be, allowing us to not only improve our grassroots provision but also compete with nations who have access to natural ski slopes and a long history in the sport.
“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.”
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