UK Olympic and Legacy Hopes Boosted by Coaching Centres
Subscribesports coach UK Press Release 28 September 2006
A network of new coaching centres will be established in order to maximise our coaching and sporting assets in the run up to the 2012 Olympics and leave a strong legacy, post event, it was announced today.
sports coach UK, the lead agency for the development of the UK coaching system, UK Sport, the Home Country Sports Councils and SkillsActive intend to create a network of Coaching Centres on a regional Home Country basis as well as a UK Centre for Coaching Excellence.
The centres will have a remit to support the coaching agendas of sporting governing bodies, the Home Country Sports Councils and UK Sport. An initial focus will be the nurturing and support of Talent Development Coaches, who are capable of working with talented young performers, (including potential stars of the London games). With their unique position, Coaching Centres will also be best placed to target the coaching needs of young people, adults and high performance athletes.
sports coach UK CEO, Pat Duffy, said: "These coaching centres are a significant and exciting move forward for sport in the UK and will provide a strong focus for developing and supporting coaches in the years leading up to 2012. They will also contribute to the establishment of a world leading coaching system by 2016."
Stephen Baddeley, Interim Chief Executive of Sport England, said: "Coaches are key to introducing people to sport, keeping them enthused and developing talent. These centres will strengthen the delivery of sport in the community by supporting coaches at all levels to be the best they can. It will also build on the successes to date of the Community Sports Coach scheme."
A UK Centre of Coaching Excellence in sport and disability sport will also be established. The Centre will include a UK-wide consortium of key agencies and individuals with proven track records in coaching and coach education. It will act as a focal point for the education and development of sports coaches to the highest level.
It is envisaged that on-site opportunities for coaching practice, fully integrated into on-going high quality programmes for children, disabled people, talent identified athletes and high performance athletes will be available.
Sue Campbell, Chair at UK Sport, the nation’s high performance agency added: "It is vital to develop a lasting sports infrastructure and legacy in the UK up to and beyond 2012 – these coaching centres are a key part of this infrastructure."
SkillsActive’s Chief Executive, Stephen Studd said; "This is a very exciting proposal and SkillsActive fully appreciates the value and need for this support network for coaching. We believe that there is a real opportunity to develop the regional centres as an integral part of the National Skills Academy proposal and are committed to working together with sports coach UK to develop a network of coaching centres that will be integrate into the proposed Academy."
