UK Sport enrolls 11 elite coaches onto its Elite Programme

England Football under-21 coach Gareth Southgate is among 11 professional coaches who will receive UK Sport investment to take part in its Elite Programme.

Southgate will be joined by Dave Alloway (GB Boxing), Simon Amor (Rugby Football Union), Paula Dunn (British Athletics), Barry Fudge (British Athletics), Ady Hinchliffe (British Diving), Paul Manning (British Cycling), Mel Marshall (British Swimming), Mark Ratcliffe (British Canoeing), Peter Sheppard (GB Rowing Team) and Tony Zummack (British Curling).

Each coach will undertake the elite sports quango’s three-year development programme, with an investment of around £20,000 (US$28,447, €25,924) per individual, per year.

UK Sport chief executive Liz Nicholl said the coaches were chosen as they had already “experienced success” and were “committed to doing whatever it takes to be the very best they can be”.

“On the Elite Programme they will have the opportunity to learn with each other, from each other and from experts in other sports and industries,” she added.

The Elite Programme is designed to support the development of individual coaches, encouraging cross-sport learning. In the second and third year of the course, the modules become even more individualised, although the content is interchangeable across the three years.

“The aim of the Elite Programme has always been to support world class coaches in this country to become world leading in their respective fields. Those selected in the latest intake possess technical ability of the highest quality and proven track records of success, but we want to take their skills and understanding to the next level,” said UK Sport head of coaching Graham Taylor.

“Much like previous years, these coaches will support, learn from and inspire each other to innovate and anticipate, while engendering these characteristics in their athletes and teams to make brilliance business as usual in their sport.”