07 December 2009

UKA today named more than 40 young athletes, who, along with their personal coaches will be supported in their development through the recently announced UKA Futures Programme.

Following a comprehensive application and selection process, a total of 42 athlete-coach pairings will receive financial support provided direct by UKA and other services to fulfill their individual development plans.   

Amongst those selected include 2009 European Junior medalists Louis Persent (Steve Garnham) Kate Avery (Bob Ashwood), Eugene Ayanful (Christine Bowmaker) and Simon Horsfield (Mick Woods) as well as double World Youth Champion Jodie Williams and her coach Mike MacFarlane.

Coordinating the programme, Jo Jennings – UKA Development Manager – reflected on the selection process:

“Selections of athlete-coach pairings was based on a number of factors including past performances and forward planning towards 2010 development in their event.

“There were some tough decisions but we feel those selected are the best 42 based on their applications –we know that some pairings have taken feedback on board from their applications and are using it to assist with structuring their season ahead and their planning towards future goals.”

UKA Strategic Head of Coaching and Development – Kevin Tyler said: “An essential part of identifying and nurturing young talent is to ensure they are well supported both in their general support networks, and by making it easy for them to concentrate on working with their coach. By focusing our resource so that we can also support the coach, we are making sure there is opportunity for both individuals to develop, which is essential in improving performance and coaching standards.

Athlete- Coach Pairings: (Athlete, discipline, Coach)

Kola Adedoyin, Triple Jump, Frank Attoh;

Kate Avery, 3000m, Bob Ashwood;

Eugene Ayanful, 100m, Christine Bowmaker;

Jennie Batten, 100m, Roger Walters;

Meghan Beesley, 400m hurdles, Nick Dakin;

Holly Bleasdale, Pole Vault, Julien Raffalli;

Lauren Bouchard, 400m hurdles, Steve Mitchell;

Katie Byres, Pole Vault, Julien Raffalli;

Daniel Clorley, 1500m, Anthony Simmons;

Emily Diamond, 200m, Dan Coussins/Jared Deacon;

Mark Dry, Hammer, Derek Evely;

Junior  Ejehu, 200m, Ayo Falola;

Niall Flannery, 400m hurdles Nick Dakin;

Daniel Gardiner, Decathlon, Mark Johnson/Toni Minichiello;

Robbie Grabarz, High Jump, Fuzz Ahmed;

David Guest, Decathlon, Michael Guest;

Simon Horsfield, 1500m, Mick Woods;

Matt Hunt, Javelin, Mick Hill;

Abigail Irozuru, Long Jump, John Herbert;

Joe Kent, High Jump, Trevor Llewelyn;

Richard Kilty, 200m, Jared Deacon;

Alison Leonard, 800m, Arthur Almond;

Jordan McGrath, 400m, Tony Hadley;

Ross Murray, 1500m, Craig Winrow/ John Stevenson;

Jade Nimmo, Long Jump, Darren Ritchie;

Louis Persent, 400m, Steve Garnham;

Elizabeth Potter, 1500m, John Nuttall/ Bill Parker;

Andrew Pozzi, 110m hurdles, Paul Bearman;

Andy Robertson, 100m, John Smith;

Maria Seager, Pole Vault, Christian North;

Louise Small, 3000m, Mick Woods;

Dwyte Smith, Long Jump, John Herbert;

Ricky Stevenson, 1500m, Steve Shaw;

Andrew Sutcliffe, Pole Vault, Julien Raffalli;

Annie Tagoe, 100m, Clarence Callender;

Shaunna Thompson, 200m, Robert Gaisie;

Deji Tobais, 100m, Simon Duberley;

Lorraine Ugen, Long Jump, Guy Spencer;

Nathan Wake, 400m, Ayo Falola;

Louise Webb, 3000m SC, Todd Bennett / John Nuttall;

James Wilkinson, 3000m SC, Philip Townsend;

Jodie Williams, 100m, Mike Macfarlane.

UKA Futures Programme Benefits:

COACH

Financial assistance* (up to £750 ) towards support for their individual development plan and supporting the athlete(s) in training and competition

Priority inclusion into all coach development programming

Appropriate and agreed mentoring and support – linked into the UKA Development Coaches, National Event Coaches and the National Coach Development Programme (in England) if applicable

*Coach financial assistance not available to UKA employed coaches

ATHLETE

Financial assistance (up to £1500) towards training and competition costs

BOA Olympic Passport and Medical Insurance 

Access to doctor network at National and Regional Centres

Physiotherapy via UKA National Centres or approved providers

Other service access by agreement, either via UKA National Centres or partner organisations /approved providers (via athlete’s budget)