Northamptonshire gymnastics coach wins prestigious national award
A coach from Northamptonshire, has won a prestigious UK Coaching award in recognition of her work developing the next generation of gymnastics talent.
Shoney Morrish, head coach at Eclipse Gymnastics, has been announced as the winner of the UK Coaching Talent Development Coach of the Year. The awardrecognises those who nurture young athletes on their journey to success.
After being presented with her award, Shoney reflected: “I’m overwhelmed and amazed. To win is such a shock but an honour.
“It’s so important to be a role model, especially with the way the world’s been going recently. It means everything to be an inspiration to others and to not only lead them into sport, but also to help them become leaders themselves.”
Shoney has led the club for the past 10 years. She has been coaching for 18 years in total, with her work at the club leading to remarkable success, including the development of national and British champions.
Teamwork is essential in acrobatics, and each pair or trio has a designated leader who is in charge of communicating with coaches, listening to their teammates, and making collective choices. By providing and supporting independence and responsibility, Shoney has created squads full of leaders.
An individualised training book with customised plans and a goal-setting area is given to each partnership, empowering gymnasts to monitor their own development and take charge of their education, fostering self-reliance and life skills that go beyond sport.
As head coach at Eclipse Gymnastics, it is Shoney’s philosophy of positivity and supported autonomy which has created multiple national finalists, setting them on a path of self-directed success.
The UK Coaching Awards is regarded as the most prestigious event within the coaching community, established to recognise the invaluable role coaches play in building a happier and healthier society.
Previous award winners include Judy Murray and Aston Moore (Lifetime Achievement award), Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman (Great Coaching Moment of the Year), and the coaches behind Lucy Bronze and Katarina Johnson-Thompson's path to success (Coaching Chain award).
UK Coaching’s CEO Mark Gannon congratulated Shoney on her award, and for the profound coaching efforts that saw her honoured as part of the annual celebration: “At UK Coaching, we are so proud to be able to honour coaches like Shoney with UK Coaching Awards each year.
“Shoney, and all of our winners, finalists and nominees should take extreme pride in what they have achieved and been recognised for by those in their communities.
“Great coaching and coaches make such an impact on individuals’ lives and within their communities, helping to keep a whole nation active.
“It is so important that we recognise and celebrate great coaching.
“It is also key we acknowledge the tireless commitment and amazing work coaches across the nation deliver to support participants in their own unique journeys.
“Shoney is one of the nation’s top coaches who has helped to change so many lives through her dedication.”
Find out more about this year’s winners and the awards by heading to www.ukcoaching.org/uk-coaching-awards.