"As a small nation we have to make the best use of our resources, including our people.
Our hopes and dreams of sustained sporting success cannot be realised without the continued investment in our coaches and volunteers.
Coaching plays a crucial role from supporting elite athletes to excel on the world stage to encouraging local communities to get fitter and enjoy sport; coaches provide the inspiration and practical support to get Wales moving.
We have made considerable progress since the publication of the Coaching Plan for Wales in 2005 and this strategy seeks to build on existing successes, putting in place a framework within which we will aim to deliver more and better supported coaches. We want to challenge ourselves and our partners to engage more people in sport and sustaining this engagement.
We want Wales to be a place where everyone who participates in sport should have access to an appropriately skilled coach - a Wales where all coaches are appropriately recruited, trained, deployed and ultimately retained within sport.
Through the Behind Every Star campaign, Sport Wales is making a dedicated effort to celebrate the work of coaches, and appeal to people to get involved.
We're keen to build on this momentum, and rely heavily on our partners to deliver the ambitious results we're aiming for. We recognise that we need to raise the bar and be bold in our aspirations. Coaches are crucial in achieving our two aims of every child in Wales hooked on sport for life, and Wales becoming a nation of champions. Working with our partners, I believe that this strategy sets an ambitious course, but one that is achievable".
Laura McAllister, Chair, Sport Wales
Download Sport Wales' Coaching Strategy
By learning how to become a sports coach, you can benefit yourself and others.
The development of sport through coaching spreads the positive aspects of an active lifestyle throughout the community. Coaching is a fulfilling experience. You'll soon realise why so many people want to get involved in coaching.
Coaching in a town league is a great way to meet other people in your community and get involved. You'll quickly get to know other parents, coaches, volunteers and you'll feel more a part of the community.
Coaching your own children gives you more time to spend with them - on and off the field. You'll have one more thing in common with your children and you'll have a common goal.
As their coach, you'll have some control over the types of things they're learning, how they're being taught, and what they're exposed to. If you've ever disagreed with the way an adult leader has dealt with your child, or worried about his or her background, you can mark that off.
Your child will love it. They may not say it or show it, but kids like to see their parents involved in what they do. If you decide to be a coach, you'll be doing it for yourself, your community and your child.
Being a good coach is not just about having excellent sports-specific and technical knowledge. The skill of effective coaching lies in asking the right questions, having the right attidtude and motivation.
How do your athletes like to learn?
Every National Governing Body of Sport (NGB) in Wales has a structured coaching pathway which often looks like this:
Please note that you don't always have to start at the bottom of the ladder and climb your way up, some coaches' can start at level 1 and sometimes level 2. The NGB for your sport will be able to provide you with the opportunity to develop your coaching skills to whatever level you desire.
Visit our NGB's page for more information about coaching in your sport
National Governing Bodies (NGB's) are responsible for the organisation of the entire sport from grassroots through to elite perfomance.
Coaching is crucial to all NGB's, so if you want to get involved in coaching or volunteering in a specific sport then contacting the NGB direct is your best start.
They will be able to provide you with:
In addition to coaching information they will also be able to provide you with overall information of that NGB and sport in general.
Visit your governing body for more infromation.
Every Local Authority (LA) in Wales has a sports development team. They have a broad remit for developing sporting opportunities at a local level, of which coaching and volunteering play an important role.
Your local sports development team is a key contact in helping you gain more information about coaching and volunteering opportunities in your local community and help provide you with the following types of information:
Visit your Local Authority for more information.
Sports Leaders UK awards and qualifications use the medium of sport to help people to learn to lead. They learn the essential skills of leadership: communication, organisation and motivation, but in addition to this they grow in confidence and self belief. The personal journeys that people undertake whilst learning to lead, stand them in good stead for their future careers and life itself.
For more infromation visit Sport Leaders
Dragon Sport is a Sport Wales initiative and is funded by the lottery.Dragon Sport is designed to offer 7-11 year olds fun and enjoyable sporting opportunities. Liaising closely with schools and community sports clubs, Dragon Sport is making a dramatic impact on sports participation by encouraging children to become involved in a variety of organised sporting activities. The scheme broadens the sporting interests of children who already take part in sport and to involve children who currently lack such opportunities outside of their school PE lessons. Dragon Sport introduces children to coaching, skill development and appropriate competition using versions of the adult game, modified to meet their needs and skill levels.
A portfolio of eight modified sports is used in the scheme. The eight Dragon Sports are:
Athletics, Cricket, Football, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Tennis
Whilst Dragon Sport is improving sports provision for 7-11 year olds across Wales, Dragon Sport also focuses on recruiting parents and other volunteers as helpers to support the development of after school and community sports clubs. You don't need any experience as training and support is provided for all volunteers.
The Dragon Sport Organisers workshop, of which attendance is a requirement of the scheme, introduces volunteers to the programme and provides great ideas on adapting and leading activities.
For more information visit Dragon Sport
5x60
5x60 is changing the face of provision of sport in schools and transforming playing fields and sports halls into hubs of bustling activity from daybreak to nightfall.
Through its Climbing Higher vision, the Welsh Assembly Government has laid down the fitness gauntlet by setting the target of seeing 90% of children taking part in regular and frequent activity by 2020.
5x60 is rising to the challenge by helping to create the environment necessary for children to take part in extra curricular sport and physical activity on a regular basis.
Armed with a blank sheet of paper and a whole host of ideas, 5X60 officers speak to pupils before deciding on a programme of activities.
That way, the pupils get a say in what they would like to do whether it's dodgeball, cheerleading or netball or other activities.
There are many activities to choose from to suit everyone. You might decide to get some fresh air and head for the Great Outdoors. Try mountain biking, hill walking and surfing.
5x60 provides schools with the opportunity to:
By getting involved in the 5x60 programme, young people will;
For more information visit 5x60
Please visit listed websites to find out more about coaching related vacancies
UK Sport
sports coach UK
runningsports
Welsh Sports Association
SkillsActive