The makers of the LockedInShed snowsport coaching podcast are delighted to be finalists in the UK Coaching Awards being held on 6 December. This is the first time that UK Coaching have an award for Coaching Podcast of the Year.

Made by Senior Tutor and Chair of Coaching Technical Panel, Richard Barbour,they are aimed at Snowsport instructors and coaches with subjects relevant to coaches in othersports. The podcasts cover a range of coaching topics including skill development and coaching methodology with new bitesize podcasts for those who like short-sharp information. They can be found at www.anchor.fm/lockedinshed or through yourfavourite podcast apps.

Pictures can be found via @lockedinshed on Instagram www.instagram.com/lockedinshed/
Listen to the recent BBC radio interview here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0df79wd

John Shedden is a renowned sports coaching expert who has worked with Olympic coaches across 5 sports, international business organisations including SAP, as a design consultant for some of the largest artificial snowsports slopes in the world and written 5 books.He was the first Ski Teacher to qualify with both British and Austrian Ski Teacher and Coach Awards and was instrumental in the formation of the National Coaching Foundation (NCF), now called UK Coaching. He developed the UK’s first and enduring Coaching Awards Scheme for Snowsport in Britain. In these Locked in Shed podcasts he’s talking with Richard Barbour, an expert coach in the worlds of engineering and sport who was the architect of the currentinternational coaching awards for UK Snowsport.

The podcast is a mustfor instructors and coaches with a thirst for learning about the coaching process and the history of snowsport coaching in the UK. It was born out of their combined creative exploits part way through the covid-19 lockdown. The initial aim was to record some of John’s memories from his extensive and influential career in sport and it has expanded into a resource library aimed at supporting coach development. CEO of Snowsport England, Tim Fawke,said “The Coaching Awards Schemes of the Home Nation Governing Bodies form a crucial component of developing snowsport in Britain and provide pathways for skiers and riders to international level with GBSnowsport. So I’m delighted to hear a podcast that celebrates the art, science and history of coaching, spearheaded by our first Director of Coaching John Shedden. It’s a great educational resource for all coaches, new and seasoned”.

After temporarily losing his eyesight, which halted his intended career as a nuclear physicist, John needed to find an alternative pathway through life. Putting his scientific brain to use during University research into human performance psychology, John wrote his first book on ski teaching as an end of year project. as Assistant National Coach to the National Ski Federation of Great Britain (NSFGB), he was instrumental in the expansion of artificial ski slope facilities in the UK and access to the sport for local people. After being appointed as Director of Coaching to the NSFGB he introduced and developed the world class National Coaching Scheme that fostered the development of Snowsports and coaching in the UK, with the mission – “to create access and pathways, for kids from local slopes and clubs, to get to the Olympics”. Richard is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, qualified coach and civil engineer, who has used his expert knowledge of the coaching process in industry and sport for over 30 years

He said “Research shows that over 70% of people involved in sports coaching are volunteers. Lots of them are members and supporters of the nation’s governing body and my pathway through life and career were completely altered by John’s work. I keep pinching myself that he’s willing to spend lots of time with me to share his expertise, so much so that I’ve started using the hashtag #howcanthisbefree?!”
They’ve been pleasantly surprised by the response. Although aimed at Snowsport coaches involved in the British scene the audience is global, with a message of thanks from a British coach working away in New Zealand and citation in Australian ski instructor webinars.

On being a finalist Richard said “We’re delighted that the podcast received numerous nominations and is now a finalist for the UK Coaching Awards. Regardless of the award outcome we’re proud and pleased that we’ve produced something of value to the coaching community. We’re keen to keep producing them and the publicity generated will be used to help with resourcing the next series and exploring video podcasting”.  The podcasts cover a range of coaching topics including skill development and coaching methodology. They can be found at www.anchor.fm/lockedinshed or through usual podcast apps.

Pictures can be found via @lockedinshed on Instagram www.instagram.com/lockedinshed/
For more details and offer your contribution as an interviewee contact Richard Barbour through
Instagram or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardsbarbour/

Everyone at Snowsport England wishes Richard and John the best of luck on 6th December when we hope to hear they have won their category! Keep an eye on our social media channels on the night for updates!

If the Locked In Shed podcast whets your appetite to get involved in Snowsport as a coach, why not take a look at our Instructor and Coach page to see how you can begin your journey. Click here!