On Tuesday 6 December, Bryon White, head coach at Penrith Pumas attended the UK Coaching Awards, along with members of the club, where he was nominated for Community Coach of the Year (Adult).
The UK Coaching Awards shortlist only a select few finalists from across the nation for each award, therefore to be shortlisted is a true testament to Byron’s commitment and dedication to the sport and his club.
Here’s what Bryon had to say when he was announced as a finalist;
What motivates you to coach, and what do you enjoy most about what you do?
This sport saved my life! I know it can, has and will continue to save others! My accident was in 2007 after recently leaving the Army where nothing held me back, wasn’t afraid of anything, challenging myself out of my comfort zone and getting involved in everything they threw at me. It took me over 7 years to come to understand my injuries, adjusting my entire life and learning how to live again. During this period, I hit a really dark time which led to me taking an overdose which put me in a coma for 4 days. Whilst I was recovering from the overdose, I was put in contact with someone to talk about my disability – someone in a similar situation who understood what I was going through – it is because of them introducing me to the sport of wheelchair rugby that saved my life. 9 years on, it is my passion, my reason to get up in a morning and has changed my life significantly.
What are your main goals in coaching? How important is sport and activity, and the coaches that deliver it, for local communities?
My main goal is showing others who have got a disability or injury that there is a life post injury or diagnosis! There is an opportunity to get involved in a sport that isn’t all about competing, don’t get me wrong we work hard for competing but there is the social element too. Meeting likeminded people, or people who think they cannot play, or the sport is not for them letting their disability define them and showing them that the only person holding them back is themselves. Wheelchair rugby is not just training to compete, a club, a team we are a family! All the clubs are connected at tournaments on an off the court, local friendly’s etc, if any team is short or struggling you can guarantee another club, person/person’s will step up and help where they can to enable sessions or tournaments to happen.
Anything further you’d like to say / reflections on your journey as a coach?
I absolutely love coaching, yes it has its challenges but without them the team and myself don’t learn from our mistakes. I can see all my effort paying off, the Puma’s recently took part in their first ever wheelchair rugby five’s tournament, the first round they lost 4 out of 5 games then in the second and third round they made a huge come back and finished 3rd in the league! I couldn’t be any prouder of the team for putting a 110% effort on the court and their attitude returning to training with a positive mindset to work harder in preparation for next season
GBWR are really proud of Byron’s fantastic achievement and we are sure his recognition will help inspire the next generation of coaches. Well done Bryon!
If you would like to get involved in coaching wheelchair rugby or would like to join a club, contact our Club Development Team to find out more info or use our club finder to find your local club.
