A rugby coach from Oxfordshire has received national recognition after winning a prestigious UK Coaching Award for his work championing inclusion in grassroots sport.
Darren Rea, Youth Chair and coach at Gosford All Blacks RFC, has been named winner of the UK Coaching Inclusive Coach of the Year Award, sponsored by Inclusive Employers.
The award celebrates coaches who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to inclusion and accessibility across sport and physical activity.
Partially sighted himself, Darren began coaching when his eldest son started playing rugby at the age of four. While supporting his son’s team, he identified a lack of opportunities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In response, he launched a dedicated SEND rugby provision in 2023 as part of his role as Youth Chair at the club.
Reflecting on receiving the award, Darren said:
“I’m so shocked! I didn’t think I was going to win! I think anybody who gets to this stage should be extremely proud. They’re all doing an amazing job.
“It’s absolutely crucial SEND rugby continues to grow. If we don’t identify and adapt to include everyone, we’re failing children who we have the opportunity to work with.
“We don’t play rugby in cold, rainy pitches for awards. We do it for the impact and difference it makes. We see kids change. We have the opportunity to show them strengths they didn’t realise we had. I think coaching is really undervalued; it’s extremely powerful.”
Now serving as co-chair of inclusion, diversity and equality at Oxfordshire RFU, Darren’s impact has extended across the county. The SEND rugby provision has expanded to five clubs, alongside the creation of a county SEND team and a county rugby festival, Katiefest.
More than 100 children now take part each week, creating life-changing opportunities for both participants and their families.
The UK Coaching Awards are widely regarded as the most prestigious honours within the coaching community, recognising the vital role coaches play in building a healthier and happier society. Previous recipients include Judy Murray, Sarina Wiegman and the coaching teams behind Lucy Bronze and Katarina Johnson-Thompson.
UK Coaching CEO Mark Gannon praised Darren’s achievement, saying:
“At UK Coaching, we are so proud to be able to honour coaches like Darren with UK Coaching Awards each year.
“Darren is one of the nation’s top coaches who has helped to change so many lives through his dedication.”
This year’s awards were presented at a ceremony held at The Queens Hotel in Leeds, celebrating nine outstanding winners and recognising coaching excellence across the UK.
