The man who coached the coaches: ActionCOACH UK recognises Frank Dick’s 55 years at the top

From Sir Daley Thompson, Lord Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett OBE to Sally Gunnell OBE, Colin Jackson CBE and Linford Christie, Frank Dick OBE has played a part in shaping the careers of some of Britain’s greatest sporting names – and for the last decade, some of the biggest names in business. Now, after more than 55 years’ operating at the highest levels of elite coaching, his outstanding contribution has been recognised with a special award from ActionCOACH UK.

The former Director of Coaching at the British Athletic Federation received the recognition at the ActionCOACH UK Coaches Conference in Birmingham last week, celebrating an extraordinary career spent developing athletes, coaches and leaders across elite sport and business.

“Coaching is something I fell in love with immediately,” said Frank. “And

I never fell out of love with it.”

Frank’s influence on British athletics stretches across generations, with his career spanning Olympic champions, world record holders and some of the defining moments in British sporting history. His impact reached far beyond individual performances, helping raise the standards of coaching and performance across the sport.

One of the clearest illustrations of Frank’s impact comes from double Olympic decathlon champion Sir Daley Thompson, whose relationship with Frank has continued for more than four decades. “I’ve known Frank since the late 70s and I marvel at how his curiosity and enthusiasm have only gotten stronger over the years. There’s nothing he enjoys more than making somebody better, whether as an athlete, a coach, a business leader or most importantly as a person. He really is a one of a kind!”

But with mention of this recognition being delivered to Frank, many more people he has made an impression on over his years of coaching came out to share their memories of his incredible impact.

For Baroness Sue Campbell, former Chair of UK Sport and one of the architects behind Team GB’s historic success at London 2012, Frank’s willingness to push the boundaries of coaching has helped set him apart throughout his career: “Frank has been at the forefront of coaching for over 50 years. He has always been unafraid to challenge the status quo and able to drive innovation through performance.”

For David Sheepshanks CBE, former chairman of the Football League and Ipswich Town FC and one of the architects of the FA’s pioneering St. George’s Park National Football Centre, Frank is the godfather of British coaching: “Frank can make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck with his motivational brilliance. He challenges his coachees through his skillful and penetrating questions yet equally inspires you with his fund of stories that goad us all to perform even better than we ever thought possible. Quite simply – a maestro of his coaching art!”

Frank’s reach extends into team sport too. Steve Borthwick, England Rugby Union Head Coach, credits him across every level of his own development: “Frank’s wealth of experience has added so much to my coaching journey. From his advice around ‘on the ground’ coaching designed to get immediate impact with an individual player, to presenting to a wider group of athletes, and to shaping the strategic view around long term planning, Frank’s knowledge and insight have been invaluable.”

Alongside his work shaping the mindsets of elite athletes, Frank’s coaching has translated to the world of business, with his work mentoring entrepreneurs a critical cog in the development in some of the nation’s biggest organisations.

Founder of Optical Express, David Moulsdale, recognises Frank’s immense contribution to both business and athletics: “Frank has had a huge impact on my own business and has played a significant part in its success over the last 30 years. His relentless persistence, drive, passion and discipline are all characteristics that each of us should aspire to. He’s been a loyal friend and mentor to me for 30 years and I’m forever in his debt for the guidance he’s given me, both professionally and personally too.”

It is an approach Frank has continued throughout his relationship with ActionCOACH UK, which has lasted more than a decade. He continues to address its community of business coaches every month and has appeared at annual BizX conference numerous times, sharing lessons drawn from a lifetime spent studying human performance.

At the heart of Frank's message to the room in Birmingham was a challenge drawn from the classic business fable Message to Garcia: “Own the problem, make a decision and do something about it. I call it the ODD framework: Simple. Uncomfortable. Effective.”

James Vincent, Performance Director at ActionCOACH UK, who has known Frank for 15 years and credits him as a personal mentor, presented Frank with the award, “His contribution goes way beyond sport. People become better people when they spend time with Frank. No words I can say can do justice to the impact he’s made on me, on this organisation and on all the wonderful clients we coach.”

Reflecting on his decade-plus relationship with ActionCOACH, Frank hasn’t seen another organisation with such a dedication to developing coaches and delivering results. “What ActionCOACH has exposed me to over the last 10 years has taken my own coaching to new levels - levels I needed. I take what I learn here back into sport, because in business your team are pioneers.”

To discover more about the mindset Frank has shared with generations of athletes, coaches and business owners, and how ActionCOACH UK puts these principles into practice, visit the website here