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UK Sport hosts high performance induction workshop

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Jessica Whitehorn 17 June 2009

Following the analysis of the last Mission 2012 quarterly submission from sports back in April, Britain’s summer Olympic and Paralympic sports have been experiencing a period of change, challenge and consolidation since the Beijing Games last summer.

This has included a significant number of changes in leadership within sports. To support these new coaches, performance directors and managers in their transition to the UK high performance system, or in their new role, UK Sport brought together many of these individuals from across sports for a high performance induction workshop.

The one day workshop took place last week at Twickenham Stadium in London. The aim was to introduce new sports leaders to the British sporting landscape, UK Sport and how the organisation supports World Class Programmes within National Governing Bodies. In addition it was a unique opportunity to foster strong working relationships with UK Sport, its partner organisations and the representatives of the 15 different Olympic and Paralympic sports present.

The day included presentations from UK Sport Chair Baroness Sue Campbell, as well as CEO John Steele, Chief Operating Officer Liz Nicholl, Director of Performance Peter Keen and Director of Drug-free Sport Andy Parkinson. GB Pentathlon’s Performance Director, Jan Bartu also spoke to delegates focussing on his experience of leading a highly successful British elite sport over the past 10 years. The afternoon gave the participants an opportunity to spend time in small groups with various representatives from UK Sport and its partner organisations; the English Institute of Sport, sports coach UK, the British Athletes Commission, and the British Olympic and Paralympic Associations. 

UK Sport Chief Executive John Steele said: “We are embarking on a landmark period in British sporting history, and the people involved in the mission will be fundamental to our success at the London Games in 2012. We are delighted to be working with these world class individuals and hope today’s induction will help them work even more effectively with us to support their sports and athletes in delivering on our collective ambitions for 2012 and beyond.”

Tim Jones, British Gymnastics’ Olympic Performance Director, was among the workshop’s delegates and said there were many things to take away from the day’s experience:

“I’ve been involved in the high-performance system for a number of years now, before taking on a Performance Director role last year, but there are always questions you want to ask. So, to have so many people with so much experience here has been invaluable, as has the opportunity to meet a lot of people in the same position, many of whom have had experience outside the UK.”

“Occasions like this are important to reinforce the work you are doing and receive feedback that it is the right thing, and that perhaps other countries are not so far ahead of ourselves. You tend to find that the issues you are facing have been encountered by the others here and they have developed and have been happy to share their particular set of solutions.”

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