This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Plans for a national sports coaching centre
28/09/2006
Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson today welcomed plans to set-up a UK network of centres of coaching excellence.
The announcement was made today by Sports Coach UK, the lead agency for the development of the UK coaching system.
The centres will support the delivery of coach development, education and training including the delivery of the UK Coaching Certificate.
Bids will be invited to establish a UK Centre of Coaching Excellence.
This will be supported by a network of up to 12 regional Coaching Centres, including one in Scotland.
Ms Ferguson said:
"I welcome today's announcement.
"Coaching was a key theme discussed at the First Minister's recent Sports Summit held in Stirling and many participants thought that improving coach education should be a priority.
"The development of the UK Centre of Coaching Excellence and the establishment of a regional coaching centre in Scotland will be an important step forward in achieving this aim.
"This development will also complement current work on revising Scotland's current sports strategy, Sport 21.
"As we look to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games and, we hope, the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, this announcement fits into our ambitions for sport in Scotland.
"My officials will work closely with Tessa Jowell's officials to ensure that this exciting development is delivered in Scotland in a way that complements 'Coaching Scotland', the national framework for delivering a quality coaching system in Scotland.
The Regional Centres will guide, facilitate and monitor the development of a regional coaching system to increase sports participation and support the development of regional talent.
The UK Centre of Coaching Excellence in sport and disability sport will act as a focal point for the education and further development of coaches to the highest level.
The Coaching Scotland Framework was developed by the Coaching Scotland Advisory Group set up last year by sportscotland to give a lead and direction to the development and education of coaches in Scotland.
Work is ongoing to develop the UK Action Plan for Coaching which will set the policy for the development of a common coaching system across the UK.