Mark Ray is the 2023 Coach of the Year.

Mark has established a junior arm of disability football and has created a very friendly, inclusive environment for all the youngsters who take part. He has a whole span of members both male and female and they are all encouraged to perform to the best of their abilities in a fun and enjoyable way.

Apparently, they all particularly enjoy the end of the session when they do penalty practice! 

There were no fewer than four other nominations for this award:

Gary Norman (LD Football);

Guy Wilson (Wheelchair Tennis);

Jeannine Carey (LD Sport); and

Paul Patterson (Wheelchair Basketball)

The table cricket coaching duo Adam Cartwright and Victoria Lodge won the Coach of the Year award for 2022.

The pair have been coaching table cricket at Centre Gateway Club for the last couple of years and have been such an asset to the Club team.

They have built up a strong team of members who participate every week and many other members who like to join in and learn how to play.

Multiple players have become very skilled at playing table cricket and look forward to playing each week. Adam and Victoria have provided many members with an opportunity that has helped them develop many different skills.

Our very own chairman and top dog Paul Patterson has won the 2021 Patrons Award for Coach of the Year.

Paul was chosen for this year’s award for his relentless pursuit of excellence on the wheelchair basketball court. He is an absolute inspiration to beginners and stalwarts alike.

His coaching is of the highest standard, and throughout the most difficult times, he has kept a very engaged cohort of basketball players who continue to improve week on week. 

Nice one boss!

Nicola Kirkland has been Yana Vibert's second-in-command for many years.

She assists with many of the teams and as a coach at all the competitions, giving up her own time to do so.

Like so many people at the JSAD, her efforts have mostly gone unseen, and good coaching staff are the backbone of any sport. What differs is the sheer amount of time it can take to get a person with disabilities to the starting line.

So the spotlight this year shines firmly on Nicola!

Guy Gilson picked up the Coach of the Year for his unstinting work in developing Wheelchair Tennis in Jersey.

He is always looking for opportunities for local players to compete in the U.K.

Amanda Davey is the 2017 Coach of the Year.

Her work and enthusiasm in coaching James Brady of wheelchair tennis has brought about significant improvements in his play.

She is always positive and this has rubbed off on James's style and demeanor. 

Roisin Pitman has become the latest coach to pick up this prestidgeous award.

Roisin continues to break new ground with our local members, in particular Tyrone Nicholson, who has successfully become a Second Dan in Aikido. This is a significant achievement.

Roisin is also representing JSAD on the International stage and was invited to present a keynote address to a Martial Arts Symposium in Turkey earlier this month.

It has not been an easy year for Rosh in some ways. A high profile event due to be staged in Jersey as part of Games 2016 had to be cancelled due to a lack of sponsor support.

She had put in a great deal of effort into trying to secure this event and in spite of the setback has continued to work towards staging a similar event in the future.

Rosh was presented with the trophy at the Merton Hotel on Saturday 19 November by Robert Le Brocq and Brian Ahier, Patrons of JSAD.

The  head coach of the Jersey Special Gymnastics Club has won the 2015 JSAD Patron's Coach of the Year.

Yana Vibert only took over from the legendary John Grady two years ago, and has done so with amazing energy and enthusiasm.

She puts in tireless work week in, week out, and that was never more so demonstrated when Yana undertook the role of Head Coach, Artisic Gymnastics, for the Great Britain team at the World Games in Los Angeles.

(That team of course included two Jersey gymnasts whose performances were quite stunning.)

The Club are really impressed that Yana has a very strong commitment to get the best out of any gymnast, regardless of their level, and that she also has a strong focus on participation.