Following an open recruitment process, UK Athletics has confirmed the appointment of Jackie Newton as the new Head of Coaching Development. Jackie will leave her role as Director of Coaching and Athlete Development for Athletics Northern Ireland to take up her new position on August 10th, allowing her to fulfil commitments towards Northern Ireland athletes who are competing at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Jackie Newton is well known within UK athletics circles and competed internationally for GB & NI at the half marathon and marathon distances, having begun her career with Stockport Harriers & AC. She has played an important role in coaching and team management with international cross country and mountain running teams for GB & NI, as well as managing the athletics team for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.

An active coach, Jackie has been a key figure in discussions over the last 12 months as part of a UK-wide steering group which has influenced the recent direction of travel, and the prioritisation of a new coaching strategy for the sport in the UK. As well as being a qualified education tutor, she also holds a Master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science with Coaching Studies with several published academic papers to her name.

Mark Munro, UKA Development Director who led the recruitment process said:

“We considered a number of individuals for this role from various backgrounds and successful CVs within the sport and out with as well. Jackie was certainly the stand-out candidate, not only because of her experience within the sport as an athlete, coach or within her current employment, but because she has a great attitude and strong personality. She absolutely understands the state of coaching in the UK, the challenges facing coaches and had a clear vision and excellent understanding of how to start to re-build the coaching system.

“Jackie also has achieved a lot in her current role despite working with limited resources and most importantly, her philosophy is very much about recognising the importance and value of coaches to the UK, improving communication and putting coaches right at the centre of what we do.”

Jackie Newton said:

“I am delighted to be joining UK Athletics at such an important time as we embark on a new direction for the sport, and with the development and implementation of a new UK-wide coaching strategy. I am looking forward to continuing working with the home country coaching teams and coaches from across the athletics community.

“We have a window of opportunity to get the system right and I am determined that we are successful in achieving that, we build a structure and system where coaches are highly valued and at the heart of that rebuilding process.”