Goalball UK today announces that Faye Dale-Cook has stepped down from her role as Great Britain Men’s Head Coach.
After years of dedicated service to the national team, Faye has decided to step down from the position but will continue to have an impact on the pathway through her day job as Talent and Inclusion Director and Deputy CEO for Goalball UK.
A Legacy of Dedication
Faye’s passion for goalball and her commitment to the development of the men’s programme have been unwavering. Her time at the helm has seen the squad compete at numerous international championships, embodying the spirit of resilience and determination she so often champions.
Faye Dale-Cook said:
“Stepping away from the GB Men’s Head Coach role is a bittersweet moment.
I have had the pleasure of working with incredible athletes and staff over the years, alongside fantastic support from Goalball UK’s CEO (Mark Winder) and board of trustees. As a programme, our journey hasn’t always been easy; we’ve had triumphs and hardships along the way, but collectively have always strived to be the best team we can be, irrespective of the challenges. I need to say a huge thank you to everyone for that, you know who you are. Moving forward, the new Performance Pathway Programme is making huge strides to reach the next level of performance, and I wish this incredible team of talented athletes and staff all the best in future endeavours. I have no doubt they will continue to thrive.”
Gary Fraser, Performance Director, said:
“Faye has played a pivotal role in the development of the sport, leading the men’s programme with exceptional skill, unwavering passion, and deep commitment for over a decade. It has been a privilege to work alongside her, and her contributions have been fundamental in shaping our re-imagined programme. She departs with the full support and gratitude of everyone involved. While this was undoubtedly a tough decision, it marks a meaningful new chapter and one that honours all she has given.”
Goalball UK acknowledges the immense effort and personal sacrifice Faye has made in balancing both the head coach and talent lead positions. Her work has been crucial in growing the player base and fostering a strong culture within the Performance Pathway Programme.
“Faye is a true champion of goalball, and we are incredibly grateful for the passion and leadership she has brought to the GB Men’s programme,” said Mark Winder, CEO of Goalball UK. ” Faye will leave the programme in a far better position than when she started. Something she should be incredibly proud of. This is not a surprise internally; we have discussed it at length over a period of time. We were all keen to utilise Faye’s passion alongside her knowledge, skills, and understanding to help the transition to the new Performance Pathway Programme. While we will miss her presence court side with the men’s team, we are excited that she will now be able to dedicate her full focus to developing the next generation of Great Britain athletes in her Talent and Inclusion Director role. This focus is a vital part of our long-term strategy for success.”
Dan Roper, a member of the Great Britain Men’s squad, said:
“I’ve been lucky enough to be there from the start to the end of Faye’s journey as Head Coach, and she’s played a massive part in my development, always pushing me to be the best player I can be. Her saying, ‘pressure is a privilege’, has always stuck with me, and it sums her up perfectly—someone who never shied away from challenge and always brought the best out of us. It’s been a real privilege working with her through all the highs and lows over the years.”
Future Focus
Faye will now fully concentrate on her work as the Talent and Inclusion Director and Deputy CEO, a role she has recently moved into. She will continue to drive the growth of the sport, particularly through the Performance Pathway Programme, ensuring visually impaired athletes of all ages have the best environment and support to reach their full potential.
Goalball UK will announce the new coaching staff for the GB Men’s squad in the coming weeks. We look forward to building on the strong foundation Faye has helped to lay.
The entire Goalball UK community extends its deepest gratitude to Faye Dale-Cook for her dedication and leadership of the GB Men’s team and the newly created Performance Pathway Programme.
John Grosvenor, Chair of Goalball UK, said:
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to pass on a big thank you to Faye for her time as Great Britain Men’s Head Coach. Faye has put a tremendous amount of time and energy into her role as Head Coach, and there is no doubt the programme has progressed tremendously during her tenure. It is very exciting that Faye will focus her tremendous energies on the roles of Talent and Inclusion Director and Deputy CEO. Faye now has a vital role in the development of the Performance Pathway Programme.
