Falkirk Community Trust Annual Report 2019-2020

Awards Andy Cooke MBE Andy has dedicated the last six decades of his life to coaching, training and nurturing badminton players to World, European and Commonwealth medals and to Scottish National titles, whilst simultaneously teaching and coaching all levels of recreational player.

Now aged 82, Andy has been involved in sport for his entire life, playing junior football, bowls and badminton, amongst many other activities. His relationship with Grangemouth Sports Complex began in 1975 delivering recreational badminton coaching sessions. With his growing reputation as a coach, he attracted many top class players to Grangemouth for coaching. It was in 1977, at the age of 42, that Andy became Scotland’s first professional Badminton Coach and he’s been coaching and training players professionally ever since.

His Summer Training Sessions on the hills and the sands are legendary, and many of his innovative approaches to training have been widely adopted in other countries, and indeed in other sports.

Andy has been recognised multiple times for his achievements over the years, being awarded the UK Coach of the Year Award, Scottish Coach of the Year Award and receiving Stirling University’s Peter Bilsborough Tribute Trophy for Outstanding Professional Coaching. Andy’s career had also seen him coaching in Africa when he was appointed as the National Coach for the Kenyan National Badminton Team for the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Australia. However, his most significant achievements are to be found in the testimonials of the hundreds of players, from recreational to international level, who have benefited from the commitment, encouragement and dedication that he gives to every player he works with.

Although technically retired, Andy is sought out by generation after generation of player and coach - he’s known as the Coach’s Coach. He regularly coaches at Grangemouth Sports Complex with the Andy Cooke Badminton and Fitness Team, philosophising and passing on his knowledge, experience and wisdom to recreational players, current World Masters medallists and the next generation of world-class junior champions.

Congratulations to Andy on his well-deserved MBE from all of us at the Trust! | 40 |