Celebrating Motorsport UK coaches during UK Coaching Week
Coaching excellence is pivotal in all areas of sport and during this year’s UK Coaching Week, Motorsport UK is showcasing members of the community who personify the #Born2Coach movement.
Separated into ‘I want to coach’, ‘I am a coach’ and ‘We need coaches’, the #Born2Coach initiative is designed to inspire the next generation of coaches and encourage those already working in the industry to hone their skills.
Motorsport UK’s Academy is the governing body’s performance pathway, designed to support and develop the next generation of rising stars across a broad range of disciplines. We caught up with one current Academy coach, and one in the making, to get their thoughts on the #Born2Coach movement.
I want to Coach
Will Hunt, Motorsport UK Academy Team UK Futures Programme
Q: Why do you want to be a coach?
A: Since starting in the SR1 Cup, I’ve always had a fantastic team around me in Scorpio Motorsport. Over the space of four years, I never fell below fifth in the championship and finished as vice-champion in 2021.
I was competing against other drivers with significantly more experience than me, so my results were a clear reflection of the coaching and support my team and engineers gave me. Due to the current economic situation, my planned step up to GT level has not happened this year, but this has opened a new door for me by giving me time to broaden my horizons and expand my skill set, by looking into a formal Coaching Qualification with Motorsport UK.
Q: What would you like to achieve as a Coach?
A: I would love to see my drivers succeed in their disciplines and achieve more than they have done previously. In a sport where the difference between each competitor is measured in tenths of seconds, I hope my expertise can be the difference that means achieving goals and standing on the top step of the podium!
I am a Coach
Andy Meyrick, Motorsport UK Academy Team UK Performance Coach
Q: Why did you become a coach?
A: I have always been interested in the learning process and development of people; initially in my own driving but then working with other drivers, I really enjoyed supporting the drivers by passing on knowledge and developing new skills. Ultimately, this sport is all about constantly evolving and improving yourself, so that element has always interested me.”
Q: How does your work with the Academy help future motorsport stars?
A: “The Academy helps support future motorsport stars in so many ways. There is a real range and depth of knowledge amongst the Academy coaching team, and also within the wider Motorsport UK team. Providing technical education on the practical side of being a driver is a really important part of what we do, but the wider support on becoming a well-rounded athlete, through the physiological, social, and psychological education we provide is equally important. Being a part of a network of qualified and experienced coaches (in many different fields), means the support the Academy is able to offer future motorsport stars is unrivalled.”
Q: What are your thoughts on the new challenge with coaching the winners of the ROKiT F4 Racing Stars competition?
A: I will definitely be developing my coaching skills this year, as I will be supporting the two winners from the ROKiT F4 Racing Stars initiative. I like the process of working on new projects and gaining new experiences, and the programme is such an amazing concept. It will be exciting to be able to support two novices in their first steps into the real world of racing.
We need Coaches
Have you felt inspired by Andy and Will? Are you interested in finding out more about how you could be a part of the motorsport coaching community?
This year, Motorsport UK will be launching its Coaching Development Pathway, which will help develop participation and the competitor experience in motorsport. Coaching may have traditionally been thought of as a tool to enhance elite performance, but it holds far greater potential for encouraging and engaging participants at all levels.
Not only will the Coaching Development Pathway give you the opportunity to develop yourself personally and professionally, but it will also give you the opportunity to directly support the next generation of competitors and be involved with a sport you love! You can find out more here and register interest for updates on the Coaching Programme before it launches here. You can find out more about UK Coaching and the #Born2Coach initiative here and visit their social media channels to read inspiring stories.