Coach Core Glasgow pilot opened
Coach Core aims to train and inspire the next generation of young sports coaches and the Glasgow project builds on the first pilot launched in London prior to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Glasgow will be the focus of much sporting attention in 2014 as it prepares to launch the 2014 Commonwealth Games and as part of its legacy programme the city is keen to ensure young people have access to great coaches and also are able to find opportunities through sport to see coaching as a career path.
The Royal Foundation has worked with Glasgow Sport and The Hunter Foundation to develop the new pilot under which at least twenty young people from the city will receive an eighteen month apprenticeship programme leading to additional skills in both their own sport, as a coach and also vocational qualifications which will help them into coaching as a career. As part of the visit The Duke and Duchess met aspiring young sports coaches to hear first hand how sport can provide inspiration and opportunity.
Their Royal Highnesses also joined in as groups of young people from the Drumchapel area of the city and surrounding districts took part in a range of sports including athletics, hockey, tennis, table tennis, basketball and gymnastics.
Launching the programme The Duke of Cambridge said…
Coach Core is a simple idea which, we hope, will have far-reaching results. Just a short time here at this Leisure Centre leaves me in no doubt that the role models to whom young people can aspire are not just out there – on the television or in magazines or in professional sport – but right here in Drumchapel, and in countless other neighbourhoods up and down the Country.The energy and brilliance of young coaches has the ability, like nothing else, to inspire others – to improve self-esteem and competitiveness, to channel natural aggression, to build respect for others and yourself, to improve health, and to teach new and creative ways of thinking.
The programme will be delivered by Glasgow Sport through their network of sports clubs and community sports hubs.
Chair of Glasgow Sport and the Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games, Councillor Archie Graham, said:”Funding for the pilot has been received from leading Scottish charity the Hunter Foundation. Sir Tom Hunter, its founder and Chairman said:
“Sports coaches are at the very heart of sport in Glasgow we are honoured that Their Royal Highnesses chose the city to launch the Scottish pilot of the Coach Core initiative. London 2012 inspired a generation and we want to continue that journey through the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Youth Olympic Games. Coach Core will help us do that.” “Coach Core is an exceptional model of positive social intervention in that it uses sport to enable lasting change at a grassroots, community level. As a Foundation we are delighted to have supported The Royal Foundation in bringing this important initiative to Scotland; our hope is that the apprentice coaches employed by Glasgow Life each year will deliver transformational change in their communities through sport development… as importantly we’d like to see Coach Core delivered over time in every local authority in Scotland through the leadership of The Royal Foundation and Glasgow Life.”
As Coach Core develops as a national programme The Royal Foundation hopes to develop new pilots in different cities and sports, and also to build strong links between the participating young people and organisations to ensure learning is shared and all those involved feel part of a wider initiative.