Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby has been announced as a finalist in the High Performance Coach of the Year category at the UK Coaching Awards 2023.
The UK Coaching Awards is a national celebration event, regarded as the most prestigious within the coaching community and created to celebrate the remarkable contributions coaches make – from delivering high quality and technical coaching, to supporting participants both physically and mentally.
The awards shine a light on the UK’s coaching workforce, the unforgettable moments they deliver, and their profound impact at every level of sport and physical activity.
Supported by UK Sport, the High Performance Coach of the Year award recognises the achievements of a coach working at the highest levels of performance in sport, either as coach of an individual or national team.
From all the nominations received, an expert judging panel has carefully deliberated and selected Jess as a finalist alongside Adam Elliott (Triathlon) and Tom Coyd MBE (Wheelchair Rugby League).
Jess’ citation on the official website reads:
“This summer, the England Roses achieved a historic milestone by reaching the Netball World Cup final for the first time. Leading this extraordinary campaign was Jess, known for her person-first leadership style.
“Despite the challenge of managing athletes scattered globally, she invested in connecting with and nurturing them, fostering a united team. Jess’s approach aligns with the “Roses Way” philosophy, emphasising autonomous thinking, feedback, and players’ involvement in shaping schedules and sessions. She encourages players to lead workshops and discussions, showcasing her empowering coaching style.
“Jess tailors her coaching to bring out the best in each player and demonstrates a creative, optimistic approach that fuels growth for both staff and players.”
The winners are set to be announced at the awards ceremony on 5 December.
Huge congratulations to Jess on being named as a finalist from everyone at England Netball.
