A Nordic Walking coach from Radstock has been nominated for a UK Coaching Award, following their incredible work during the pandemic supporting participants with additional needs with walking programmes.

Following a remarkable year of ingenuity and dedication from coaches across the UK, during one of the most challenging periods for sport and activity in recent memory – Yvonne Bignall is one of 25 finalists announced ahead of the UK Coaching Awards 2021.

Yvonne led two programmes during the Covid pandemic as regulations allowed – with each of the programmes supporting participants with a wide variety of additional need including autism, schizophrenia, and partial sight. Yvonne also worked with older participants with physical limitations, from knee or hip injuries and operations – and pre-delivery, Yvonne took the time to meet their local leader to find out more about each and their needs, maintaining a constant focus on ensuring the group was inclusive and cohesive.

Yvonne also created an online introduction to Nordic Walking to inform any beginners to the sport. Knowing that regulations could change at any time, Yvonne built in online options to support learning and create and strengthen the community, redesigning the entire programme to be suitable for online delivery. And given the added anxieties during the pandemic, support for her members proved more important than ever.

Proud to see their exceptional coaching contribution recognised, Yvonne reflected: “I was incredibly thankful to have been nominated for the award in the first place, so to now be one of the finalists in my category is amazing. A definite ‘wow’ moment! What a great way to end the year.

“We have all had to deal with the pandemic in our own way and for some that has been incredibly difficult. On a personal level I thrived during that period, making the most of being outdoors in nature. Fortunately, I live in the countryside and access to green space is endless. It was a beautiful reconnection to nature and all it offers to us for our wellbeing.

“In my coaching role the challenge was always going to be how to remain engaged with clients, individuals and groups I would usually see face-to-face, for an unknown period of time. Being open to exploring, testing and utilising online resources that complimented my skillset enabled me to create engaging content to keep the connections going. It was an opportunity to mix things up and have some fun doing so.

“The Nordic Walking programme was very much for those who had been in isolation or had experienced minimal socialising due to Lockdown 1 and 2. So to get 3 weeks in before heading into lockdown 3 was tough, especially for the participants who were really enjoying being with others, even as we adhered to social distancing rules.

“It was great to tap into the online resources and be able to create videos, newsletters and host Zoom chats to keep the group together, as well as set up a buddying scheme for the practical walking sessions, encouraging them to support each other, video each other for my feedback and of course, look after their mental and physical wellbeing.”