Sports coaching initiative launched

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has teamed up with Sport England to invest £100,000 in a new initiative aimed at training sports coaches in south west England.

Seven county sports partnerships will use the funding to assist more than 400 aspiring and existing coaches to attain level 1 to 3 qualifications in triathlon, tennis, swimming, rugby, hockey and angling by December.

SkillsActive will manage the scheme in order to ensure that the sports trainees identified through county workforce development plans achieve key UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC)-approved qualifications in preparation for the 2012 Games.

Paul Pettigrew, LSC economic development director, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to leave a lasting legacy from the 2012 Games for the whole of the south west. Not only will it boost participation and the standard of our athletes throughout the region, but will provide the perfect platform to study what works in coaching and how best to deliver the qualifications.”

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