Coaches: Recruit into Coaching

The aim of the Recruit into Coaching programme is to recruit, develop and support the deployment of 10,000 new volunteer coaches by 2011 within the 70 most deprived areas of the country. Developing volunteer coaches will increase both the size and quality of the workforce available to deliver sporting opportunities: it directly contributes towards the ‘five hour offer’ available for young people locally.

Recruit into Coaching has been developed and is being implemented jointly by Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust with support from sports coach UK and Skills Active on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Nationally, between 2008 and 2011, the programme aims to support:

• 5680 volunteer coaches through the network of School Sport Partnerships to support school based sporting opportunities.
• 4320 volunteer coaches through the network of County Sport Partnerships to support community based sporting activities for young people. 

Merseyside Sports Partnership is working in partnership with colleagues in our respective local authorities to take the programme forward: this ensures opportunities are aligned to address local coaching needs or specific shortages within community settings.

Local authority partners directly support all elements of programme locally: this includes the induction, development and deployment process for each volunteer coach. In addition, the partner is responsible for providing volunteers with the opportunity to gain appropriate coaching qualifications and the on-going support of an experienced mentor. In return, coaches are expected to be enthusiastic, energetic, motivated and prepared to commit to completing a minimum number of volunteering hours for the partner.

Please note that if you already hold an NGB coaching qualification you will be ineligible to access support under the programme: this applies even if you are looking at coaching a new sport.

Merseyside Sports Partnership is fully committed to supporting all coaches in order to ensure that they have every possible opportunity to develop, progress and truly realise their full potential. For further information on Recruit into Coaching, or advice on coaching development opportunities, please contact the core team.