7th May 2013

Stanley Named As Head Of Coaching And Development

7 May 2013

The man who coached Triple Jump World Record holder Jonathan Edwards to World and Olympic gold medals has today been announced as the new Strategic Head of Coaching Development in a joint appointment by UKA and England Athletics.

Peter Stanley, who has worked as a National Coach Mentor since 2009, takes over the position which will involve managing the now globally recognised coach education and development programme as well as developing a seamless link between coach development and elite performance.

Stanley said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been given the role, but I’m under no misapprehensions about the size of the job. It covers the whole of the British Isles and it will mean hopefully bringing the home countries closer together. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.

“I want to push forward and accelerate the process of the formal coaching education system, I’d like to get everybody working together and have one team throughout. It’s a long term project; I want to get the sport as healthy as I possibly can with high participation and good retention of both athletes and coaches while creating more highly skilled coaches across Great Britain.”

Stanley, who has worked with joint British long jump record holder Chris Tomlinson, currently coaches a group including British long jumper J. J. Jegede as well as triple jumper Yasmine Regis.

Jonathan Edwards, who worked with Stanley throughout his career and has held the world record of 18.29m since 1995, believes that his former coach will be highly successful in the role.

“I am delighted to hear Peter is the new Strategic Head of Coaching and Development for British Athletics,” he said.

“As a performance coach he has achieved the ultimate with his athletes, and continues to bring the best out of them week in week out. More recently he has thrived as a National Coach Mentor, helping advise and develop the next generation of coaches.

“His appointment is fantastic news for the sport of athletics, and recognition of his talent and achievements in coaching.”

Performance Director Neil Black said:

“We are absolutely delighted to appoint Peter to this pivotal role as we seek to build on the solid foundations laid by both Kevin Tyler and Richard Wheater in putting athletics at the forefront of NGB coaching development across the UK.

“His credentials as both a coach mentor as well as an elite performance coach mean the connection between these two crucial areas will be further strengthened as we build on the excellent work of the last four years looking forward towards Rio 2016 and London 2017.”

Chief Executive of England Athletics Chris Jones said:

“Peter’s enthusiasm for ensuring the best possible coaching is available at all levels within our athletics clubs as well as his expertise at the highest levels of athletics make him a tremendous appointment. His wide ranging experience will be a great asset to the sport as we look to see the coach development programmes and coach education taken forwards in both England and the rest of the home countries.”