GB Snowsport Para Alpine performance coach Jo believes that UK Sport’s innovative new leadership program has the potential to dramatically change the coaching landscape ahead of Paris 2024.
Jo says she’s never realized the extent of the gender training imbalance before, but hopes snow sports can lead the way in catapulting female representation to new heights.
She said: ‘In the UK snow sports scene I think we have a gender balance but when you go abroad for a championship you can sometimes be the only coach on the hill. .
“I never thought about it before entering this program, but actually there is a huge gap.
“It’s closing, but there is more to do. As for the UK, it will be just great to see more women benefit from these opportunities over the next few years.
“It is an absolute honor to be a part of this program – I am so lucky and fortunate that the national governing body nominated me for this.
“For me, it opened my eyes to everything I can do further in my career. I always thought there was a cap, but there isn’t. There is no limit to ambition – you can reach whatever level you want to reach. “
Growing up the chances of skiing were limited, but Jo had role models near her home – her father and brother.
“It’s a pretty unusual sport for the UK, I guess there aren’t any natural mountains we can train on outside of the ones in Scotland,” she added.
“We started skiing as a family on dry slopes, with my brother and I running together, with my father coaching us.
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“From the dry tracks we then started to do races abroad where we could. Obviously the family didn’t have a lot of money so it was pretty sporadic whether we left or not.
“But we were picked up at the back of those races by the national team.”
Brother Dave competed in three Winter Olympics – while Jo also won several FIS races before turning to training.
And she said, “Dad being a coach and being available 24/7 was great, and obviously competing with my brother pushed us forward at a young age.
“It’s that classic brother thing. Even today, I have to beat him!
Jo also pointed out that the future was bright for the UK para-alpine ski team, adding: “We will be taking the greatest team we have ever taken to Beijing 2022, so I’m going to have to step up my game now. .
“But obviously having relationships that have been in this situation is really helpful. We can talk to them anytime, which is amazing.
UK Sport’s Coaching Leadership Program positions 28 female coaches as role models for the next generation of female coaches. It marks a turning point in creating a much more diverse and gender-equal coaching workforce in the Olympic and Paralympic community. For more information visit www.uksport.gov.uk
Jo’s story is included in our Chorley 150 series.
We present 150 stories about Chorley: inspiring people, places we love or special moments in the life of the borough.
It’s our 150th anniversary countdown on November 4th and we celebrate the community we are proud to be a part of.
