Each year the annual UK Coaching Awards, hosted by sports coach UK, honours coaches and coaching organisations who have achieved outstanding success over the past 12 months.

The event - which in 2009 will take place on Tuesday 8 December at Old Billingsgate in London - is seen as one of the most prestigious within the industry and is attended by some of the most important and influential people in sport and coaching.

Previous winners include Sir Clive Woodward, Sir Bobby Robson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Frank Dick, Chalkie White, Sir Alf Ramsey and Jurgen Grobler to name but a few. Last years coach of the year was British Cycling Head Coach Shane Sutton  presented by HRH The Princess Royal in a glittering ceremony at the Dorchester in London's Mayfair.

Following the launch of the UK Coaching Framework the categories for the UK Coaching Awards were revised and updated in 2008.

Categories this year include:

UK Coach of the Year
Children's Coach of the Year
Participation Coach of the Year
Performance-Development Coach of the Year
High-Performance Coach of the Year
Young Coach of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Coaching Chain: The Appreciation of Coaching Award

After winning the Team Ipswich coach of the year and then Suffolk Sports coach of the year at Trinity Park on the 18th October, Nick was nominated for the UK coaching awards in a joint nomination from England Basketball’s Suffolk development officer Kathryn James and Suffolk Sports Development Officer Chloe McMorran. Nick has been short listed in the “Children’s Coach of the Year” category.

Kathryn commented on how thrilled she was for Nick. “I doubt if any candidates from Suffolk have been shortlisted before and wonder if any from basketball either, but don’t quote me on that! Looks like he is going to have to get the tux down to the dry cleaners. When you actually sit down and consider all his areas of work over the last 12 months he has had a tremendous impact on several hundred youngsters. Some of these play basketball purely for fun with friends to stay healthy, whilst at the other end of the spectrum we have England international’s such as Ben Mead and Dylon Johns.

His coaching in primary schools and community sessions at breakfast and after school clubs has also included work with children excluded from mainstream education. Then there is the new gifted academy under 11 group, his Suffolk coaching, his East head coach role and of course the national league title with Ipswich Basketball Club’s Tomcats as U13 champions. Finally we cannot forget the new Ipswich Basketball Academy. Head teacher Mr Common and Director of sport Mr Leach have been impressed with Nick’s impact right across the school from day one, which has been recently marked with England Basketball’s accreditation quality standard.

If you ask me what Nick’s X factor is, it has to be his natural infectious charm, bubbly character and his ability to connect with all the youngsters he comes into contact. Every now and again his school sports partnership will run a merrygo round of activities where children rotate round sports. For those of you that know him he takes this very seriously because his only goal for the day will be to be the loudest most enjoyable activity in the gym as he makes it his task to ensure that the kids love basketball the most. Of course he will be looking for the next potential star but he will also ensure the meekest child gets singled out to win a game or gain some praise boosting their self asteem for the day. Leaving the flippancy aside this is a wonderful recognition, well done Coach!
For details of last years awards and winners go to: http://www.sportscoachuk.org/index.php?PageID=6&sc=28&uid=25