Sports coaches urged to sign up to new directory for Derbyshire

2 December 2009

A new directory for qualified sports coaches and leaders in Derbyshire has been created to help meet the expected surge in interest in sport as the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games get closer.

The Derbyshire Sport Coach Database, run by Coaching Derbyshire, has been established so that coaches and leaders across the county can register their details and availability for coaching (both paid and voluntary).

Coaching Derbyshire are urging coaches of all sports and activities to register on the database, which will also be used to help assess the future training needs of local coaches.

Allison Nolan, Coaching Derbyshire Co-ordinator, said: “We aim to have 500 coaches registered on the database by April 2010, and once we have done this we can begin to really make a difference by offering them the support they need.”

Coaching Derbyshire offers coaching bursaries to support coaches to get new qualifications and training. There is also support for coaches to gain the Derbyshire Coach Mark, which is a quality scheme that proves a coach is competent, qualified and safe.

Allison said: “Organisations across Derbyshire will be better placed to offer training and personal development opportunities, as coaches can use the database to tell us what they want. It will also help to put coaches in touch with people and organisations across the county who are looking for coaches to support their club, school, community group or team.”

Coaches on the database will receive regular e-newsletters with information and updates on courses, opportunities for paid or voluntary work, and other events.

In a similar publicity campaign in Great Torrington, Devon, more than 100 new qualified coaches came forward, who then went on the receive support and new opportunities.

Janice Price, Partnership Development Manager for Derbyshire Dales, said that for a long time she had struggled to find coaches in a very rural area, who are qualified and available to coach. This is the same story across much of the county.

She said: “I’m sure there are more coaches out there, but we just need to find out who they are and what they want to do. The new coach database and this recruitment drive should help us to do this.”

For more information on the Coach Database, or to register, go to www.derbyshiresport.co.uk/coachingderbyshire (opens in a new window)

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