RFL National Coach Education and Learning Programmes Manager Linda Low was last week named Coach Developer of the Year at the 2014 UK Coaching Awards in Glasgow.
The awards are intended to raise the profile of coaches and the role they play in encouraging participation, performance and excellence. Previous winners include the coaches behind Rebecca Adlington, Maggie Alphonsi, Sir Ben Ainslie and the Brownlee brothers.
HRH Princess Anne attended the UK Coaching Awards ceremony and identified Rugby League in her speech for its excellent work on coaching.
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Low said: “It was great to see Rugby League so well represented at the coaching awards. It shows that the work we are doing is making a difference.
“This award is a very special honour for me and I am humbled by the support that I have received from my colleagues in the game. It recognises the work that I have done in delivering across a number of coach education programmes.
“Being recognised by your peers in other sports at such an event, supported by HRH Princess Anne, is very special. This is a reward for the whole coach development team that I work with.”
Three other Rugby League coaches were shortlisted for awards on the night: Stanley Rangers under-8s coach Emma King (Children’s Coach of the Year), Mandy Ibbison of Wigan St Patricks (National Gillette Coach of the Year) and Gateshead Thunder assistant coach Michael Heap (Heather Crouch Young Coach of the Year).
RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood said: “Linda and the other coaches that were nominated should be proud of what they have achieved and it is terrific that all their work is being recognised.
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“Linda works extremely hard and to be nominated alongside top coaches from many other sports reflects her high level of commitment and expertise.
“To have four nominees at an event like the UK Coaching Awards is fantastic for Rugby League and shows the level of quality we have within the game.”
The UK Coaching Awards provide the opportunity to recognise the achievements of coaches and coaching organisations who have demonstrated outstanding success over the previous 12 months.