Watch the Vaughan Parry Williams Coaching Fund video
Sports coaches are the driving force behind sporting success.
Will you help take Nottingham’s student sport to new heights?
The issue
The University has an elite sporting pedigree, with Olympians and world-class athletes among its students and alumni. We are 7th in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) rankings. We’re one of just two universities that make it into the BUCS Top 10 despite not offering sports courses. We want to be in the top five.
We want to secure professional coaching for our elite athletes and high-quality coaching for our sports teams.
We want to grow sport at all levels, in line with our Sport-for-All ethos, and help our athletes and teams - able-bodied and disabled - to achieve their sporting potential.
Our solution
Vaughan Parry Williams, the former Director of Sport and Physical Recreation, dedicated almost 33 years to sport at the University before his death in 2009. He passionately believed students should achieve their sporting potential as well as thrive academically.
The Vaughan Parry Williams Coaching Fund, set up in his memory, will build on his legacy by providing coaching to clubs within the Athletics Union.
Our impact
Quality coaching will make sure Vaughan’s passion for sport will continue to inspire future generations. Specialist programmes such as sports psychology and mentoring for junior coaches will also bring educational benefits. Partnerships with local sports clubs and coaching exchange programmes in the UK and with our campuses in China and Malaysia will share best practices.
What will your Impact be?
Your support for the Vaughan Williams Coaching Fund will have a far-reaching impact on the student sporting experience. The University is match-funding the first £250,000 in donations, which will help our students achieve their sporting ambitions alongside their academic achievements.
Quotes
Coaches are the unsung heroes of many sports. Yet these are the people that make the difference between good and great athletes. This was certainly a major factor for my success. Having access to professional coaching would give Nottingham students a tremendous boost in fulfilling their sporting ambitions and I have no doubt would have made Vaughan incredibly proud.
Lynn Simpson (Economics, 1994) World Individual and World Series Canoe Slalom Champion 1995/6
There’s no doubt that without the coaching I have had, I would not have been as successful as I have been. I’m lucky to have had exposure to excellent coaches in my time, and I fully support any initiative that will increase the level of coaching for young athletes to help them achieve their dreams.
Tim Brabants MBE (Medicine, 1999), Olympic Kayaking Gold medallist