UK award is pinnacle of my coaching career, says Thurso Football Academy's Alyn Gunn
Caithness youth football coach Alyn Gunn has achieved a national accolade after producing a training booklet that helped thousands of youngsters across Europe to develop their skills during the pandemic.
Alyn, head of coaching at Thurso Football Academy, is one of 25 coaches to be named as winners in the UK Coaching Hero Awards from nearly 500 public nominations. He described it as the pinnacle of his coaching career so far.
The coaches were honoured for their innovations and achievements in keeping people active during the coronavirus lockdowns. Their prize is a memento from UK Coaching’s royal patron, the Princess Royal, to mark the difference they have made to people’s mental and physical wellbeing.
Alyn (36) will receive his award at Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s home game with Morton on Saturday, October 16.
High-profile football figures including Champions League winners have given their backing to Thurso Football Academy's youth coaching efforts.
A booklet called Tiny Tacklers was designed by Alyn as part of a Keep Scotland Active scheme in response to Covid-19. The booklet uses superheroes and cartoon characters to capture the imagination of children and keep them engaged in training drills and football-themed games.
Initially it was intended for just 25 children, but now more than 10,000 youngsters across Europe have received free copies. He also supplied free footballs and water bottles.
“I was delighted initially to have been nominated for this award – but to actually go and win it is the pinnacle of my coaching career to date," Alyn said.
"When putting the initiative together it wasn't to gain personal accolades, it was for the benefit of the youngsters during a troubled period. To see it progress across Europe the way it did was fantastic, and I am delighted that it helped over 10,000 kids to remain active.
“I will remain forever grateful to the professional footballers and managers who got involved and helped promote the idea. I never thought people like Champions League winners Frank and Ronald de Boer and the former Scotland manager Alex McLeish would back my ideas.
"I think all sports coaches would agree that the pandemic has affected the way we would have wanted to coach.
“To be a coach you firstly have to love what you are coaching. You then have to cater for your audience, making your sessions relevant to the ages you are coaching.
"I love coaching some of the younger age groups as you must be creative in how to interact with them – so if that means getting superheroes or SpongeBob involved in your training games to catch the children's imagination then so be it!
"The number one aim is to ensure that the participants enjoy themselves. That way they will return and remain participating in sport and being active."
Alyn added: “I remember receiving a letter from Sir Alex Ferguson in 2015 which complimented the style of coaching and drills I had created, so it's something I have stuck with ever since.
"I have been involved in coaching from when I was 14, so my development has been 22 years in the making. If you love doing something you will put the effort into ensuring you are being the best you can be.
"Coaching is all about ideas and how to implement them to ensure the youngsters are progressing.”
UK Coaching's director of coaching Emma Atkins said: “Many congratulations to Alyn and all our winners. We applaud your efforts and the role you played in your communities, boosting morale and lifting people’s moods in a completely alienating time.
“Helping people to use sport and physical activity positively through challenging times is a privilege and one that carries huge responsibilities, and you took your duties seriously, using your initiative to create solutions to the embargo on most sport and physical activity – looking always to what was possible.”
Last year Alyn was named as a Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering (COV) champion in an award scheme run by sportscotland and UK Coaching.
Related stories:
- Alyn's youth football module is backed by Inverness Caledonian Thistle
- Netherlands boss Frank de Boer is latest to support Thurso Football Academy training booklet
- Volunteering award for Thurso Football Academy's Alyn Gunn
