UK Sport has named Boccia UK’s Lauren Kianchehr in the first-ever cohort of a new coach development programme, Coaching in High-Performance Sport (CiHPS), which is supporting 27 coaches across 21 sports.

In April, she joined Boccia UK as World Class Programme Camps and Competition Coach, providing essential support to Performance Coaches Glynn Tromans and Claire Morrison, and team coach Sarah Nolan at international camps and tournaments.

Lauren crouches on court with an ipad in her hands

Lauren said:

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Coaching in High-Performance Sport programme and am looking forward to applying the learnings in my role within the Boccia UK World Class Programme. I’m confident it will support me well into the future as a high-performance coach.”
Beginning in April, the programme will have a particular focus on supporting coaches’ learning & development, whilst being mindful of a very busy and demanding qualification phase on the journey towards Paris. The 12-month programme will include a combination of online and in-person sessions over the course of the year. Workshops, cross-sport environment visits and a regular community of practice are designed to provide a supportive social network.

The first workshop was held at the Etihad Stadium at the beginning of May and very deliberately explored the theme of coach well-being, care and support – a strand that will run throughout the programme.

Andy Bradshaw, programme lead and Coach Developer to two coaches on CiHPS said:

“We are absolutely delighted to be working with our first Coaching in High-Performance Sport cohort and to be supporting 27 brilliant coaches to progress further, develop new knowledge and skills and generate a supportive community for each other.

“At UK Sport we are committed to working with National Governing Bodies and coaches to develop an expert high-performance coaching community to power success now and into the future so that we continue to win and win well, grow a thriving sporting system and inspire positive change.”

The full list of coaches

Julia Quinn, Badminton

Lauren Kianchehr, Boccia

Phil Sellers, Boxing

Luke Smyth, Canoeing

Hannah Brown, Para Canoeing

Michelle Forrest (Greenall), Climbing

Liam Briddon, Climbing

Greg Drummond, Curling

Michael Goodfellow, Curling

Kaarle McCulloch, Cycling

David Daniell, Para Cycling