Hannah Vines, the Rowing Manager at Dorney Lake and affiliated with Eton College, received the UK Community Coach of the Year (Children and Young People) award at a ceremony in Leeds on Tuesday 10 December 2024. Her work, described by UK Coaching as delivering “the very best of coaching”, goes far beyond teaching the sport and aims to empower young athletes with life skills and a voice within a supportive, inclusive environment.
A coach dedicated to introducing rowing to young people in Slough and its surrounding areas, Hannah was honoured by this prestigious national award for her innovative approach to child-focused coaching. Her philosophy has been celebrated by the Children’s Coaching Collaborative Initiative ‘Play Their Way,’ which promotes child-first coaching principles and emphasises children’s rights in sport. UK Coaching recognised her as a “beacon of great coaching practice” for her dedication and impact.
Reflecting on her achievement, Hannah said she was both proud and surprised. “I am very, very proud and very blown away. It wasn’t expected with the strong finalists in my category,” she said. “But it is so fabulous. I’m absolutely over the moon and I know there’s an army of community coaches that I represent—so we’re all winners really.”
Hannah’s approach centres on creating a space for young people to express themselves while fostering trust and developmental relationships. “Child-first coaching is fundamental,” she explained. “We need to allow young people to have their voice in a space away from the structure of school, which gives them freedom and lets them express themselves. As coaches, we can guide them without being overbearing, offering what I call ‘handrails, not handcuffs’.”
In addition to her coaching philosophy, Hannah has pioneered innovative initiatives to make rowing more accessible. Her ‘pay it forward’ membership scheme allows members to round up their fees, with the extra funds going toward supporting young athletes who face financial barriers to participation. Equipment is earned through milestones rather than purchased, and young rowers vie for the prestigious role of Club Captain, selected for positive behaviour and leadership qualities.
Over her 35-year career, Hannah has supported around 200 young people annually, tailoring her coaching sessions to suit individuals’ needs, ambitions and experiences. A former international athlete, she has used her background to connect with local schools and spearhead events like the inaugural Slough Schools Water Sports Festival.
Mark Gannon, CEO of UK Coaching, praised Hannah for her exceptional contributions, saying, “Great coaching and coaches make a significant impact on individuals and their communities, helping to keep a nation active. Hannah’s work exemplifies the very best of coaching.”
The UK Coaching Awards are regarded as the pinnacle of recognition within the coaching community. Previous honourees include high-profile figures such as Sarina Wiegman, Judy Murray and the coaches behind sports icons like Lucy Bronze and Ben Stokes. This is also not Hannah’s first major honour for coaching, after British Rowing awarded her Coach of the Year in January.
By combining her passion for rowing with a commitment to building life skills and inclusivity, Hannah Vines has left an indelible mark on the lives of young people and continues to be an inspiration within the coaching world.
