6 days ago
Inspirational coaches to take the stage for awards night
THE Coach of the Year award, sponsored by the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, will be contested at the YO1 Radio Sports Awards 2025.
Designed to recognise the important and inspirational role of coaches. This award seeks to celebrate the commitment, dedication and impact their involvement has had on their sport, their club, their team or on an individual.
Olympic coach Paul Wilson of City of York Athletics Club has guided hundreds of athletes to personal bests and podium positions, both regionally and nationally. Paul coaches a range of British and world champions across a variety of sports, two of whom competed at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
(left) Harry Hewitt-Smith, (right) Emma Jarvis (Image: Supplied)
Over at York City Baths Swimming Club is Josh Spencer. Spending the last 10-years as the club's head coach, Josh recently just completed his most successful medal-winning year at a county, regional and national level.
Former Whitby Town FC player James Drinkall is next on the list. As a PGA golf professional, James has also coached the Wilberfoss Mavericks under-thirteen girls team to the semi-final of the York FA Cup.
In Gymnastics, York City club coach Emma Jarvis has trained athletes in the Yorkshire team, competing at the English championships. She has completed both her level four and five certifications, and was recently shortlisted for the British Gymnastics coach of the year award.
The last finalist is weightlifting coach Harry Hewitt-Smith. At the University of York Barbell and Weightlifting Society, Harry organised the club's first internal competition, as well as wining a silver medal at English Age Groups in 2025.
