Derbyshire Athletics Network is officially launched

30 June 2009

The Derbyshire Athletics Network has been officially launched.

The three main Athletics Clubs in Derbyshire, Derby AC, Amber Valley AC and Chesterfield and District AC, have teamed up to form the Athletics Network to develop the sport in Derbyshire, and ex 400m international Daniel Caines has been appointed as Network Coach Co-ordinator.

The McCain Athletics Networks are clusters of clubs working locally to develop athletics in their area, and the Derbyshire network was one of the first in the country to be selected and awarded funding by England Athletics.

Part of its work will be to enhance and drive up the quality of athletics coaching; as well as developing disability athletics in the county. It will aim to improve links with community groups such as schools, increase competition in clubs, and also seek to develop the all round quality of provision within the Derbyshire network.

Daniel has already has made several visits to all three clubs in the network to mentor and advise coaches and coaching groups, identify weaknesses within club coaching structures and to see in what ways all three clubs can work together to drive up the standards of coaches and coaching.

Daniel said: "It has been a very busy first few weeks in the role of Network Coaching Coordinator. It has been great to really get my teeth stuck into something new and challenging. I have met many coaches and volunteers who put so much of their time into athletics and it’s great to be giving something back to those individuals and the sport as a whole in Derbyshire."

Daniel will be spending around 20 hours per week working with the Derbyshire Clubs along with several other athletics commitments. The Network itself will be managed by a steering group comprising representatives from the three clubs supported by England Athletics Club and Coach Support Officer Steve Moore.

Steve said: "The launch was a fantastic event with athletes, parents, coaches and other volunteers from all three clubs in attendance to officially launch the network in front of local press and photographers. The network steering group have worked extremely hard to get to this point and are looking forward to a brighter future for athletics in Derbyshire!"

Bookmark with: (what's this?)