Each award has specific criteria that will need to be met to complete your nomination, but we also have some general advice before writing your nomination:
• Check the criteria to ensure you are making a nomination in the correct category.
• Read the nomination criteria, which is applicable to all awards, and information specific to each award category.
• The judging panel can only use the details you provide in the nomination form.
• Nominees can only be judged in the category they have been nominated in.
• If a nominee meets the criteria for multiple awards and you wish to nominate them for more than one award, please complete the relevant nomination forms.

Nomination Criteria
• Any Coaches in Training are not eligible to be nominated.
• Nominations should demonstrate how nominees meet the following criteria:
- Connect with and understand people as individuals
- Inclusive in their practice and put welfare, safety and well-being first
- Help people develop a positive attitude towards equestrian sports and physical activity
- Committed to ongoing learning and development of themselves and others.
• Nominations to be a maximum of 500 words.

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Award Categories

Coach of the Year
This award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to coaching, has a record of providing excellent support and opportunities for participants and volunteers alike, and is an inspirational and positive role model.

Young Coach of the Year
This award recognises an individual aged 25 or under who has invested time in their development as a coach and has helped and inspired those they coach to achieve their own goals.
Specific Criteria: Must be aged 25 or under on the 1st January 2024.

New Coach of the Year
This award recognises an exceptional coach who has become an RDA coach in the last two years. They will have invested time into their development as a coach and made a significant impact on the participants they coach.
Specific Criteria: Must have become a Group Coach, Coach Certificate holder, Carriage Driving Coach, Vaulting Coach or Showjumping Coach since the 1st January 2022.

Coach Mentor of the Year
This award recognises an outstanding Coach Mentor who has invested time into the development of another coach, making a significant impact on their coaching journey.

The Extra Mile Award
A coach who has gone that extra mile with exceptional dedication, perseverance, innovation, or selflessness at Group, Regional or National Level over the last 12 months.

Tips for making a great nomination:
1. Be specific. Carefully, review the criteria for the award and make sure to cover all the points.
2. Use tangible stats, examples, or case studies to bring the nomination to life and show the 'how' behind your adjectives.
3. Ask for short testimonials from those connected to your nominee. This could be a participant, parent/carer, volunteer, Teacher/TA or colleague for a short quote to include.
4. Ask the person you are nominating for some history of their experience and qualifications - it is incredible how much you can learn about them that can add value to your nomination.
5. Review what is needed, collect supporting pieces, and do not miss the deadline.

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF NOMINATIONS – Thursday 6th June 2024 at 5:00PM