UK Athletics (UKA) can today confirm the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings concerning endurance coach Andrew Young, whose conduct has now been considered by two independent panels.
Both panels upheld findings of serious misconduct and confirmed that his behaviour fell well below the standards required of a licensed coach.
In September 2024, a UKA Disciplinary Panel sat over four days (23–26 September) to consider 39 charges. Its written decision, issued on 8 October 2024, found nine charges proven (wholly or in part), seven of them serious.
The Panel concluded that Mr Young had, on multiple occasions, placed performance above athlete welfare, ignored medical advice, and used manipulative and coercive behaviour towards those he coached. In the ruling, the Panel described his actions as ‘conduct [that] exerted pressure sufficient to vitiate the Athletes’ free will.’
Examples included requiring an athlete to compete against the clear advice of a physiotherapist, threatening to exclude athletes from training or races if they did not comply with his demands, and emotionally undermining those who raised concerns about injuries.
Another charge highlighted an incident in which Mr Young, following a disagreement, drove at speed with an athlete in his car before abandoning them at the roadside, disregarding their safety and wellbeing.
The Panel further criticised his inappropriate interference in nutrition, noting that he offered advice on food intake despite lacking qualifications and in disregard of professional guidance.
It concluded that these behaviours represented a breach of fundamental coaching duties to ‘place the welfare and safety of the athlete above the development of performance’ and to act with dignity and respect.
The Panel revoked his licence for five years, backdated to April 2023, and required him to complete specific rehabilitative training before any return to coaching could be considered.
Mr Young appealed the decision. An independent Appeal Panel heard the case in August 2025 and issued its ruling on 31 August 2025.
Although expressing a slightly lesser view of the gravity of the misconduct overall, the Appeal Panel rejected claims of bias, legal error and unfairness, and it confirmed the misconduct findings in full. It agreed that seven of the breaches were serious and that revocation of his licence was necessary to protect…
CLICK HERE to Read the Full Original Article at Scottish Athletics…