Active Kent & Medway is committed to increasing the quantity and quality of coaches and sports leaders across the county and assist in the development of sport and physical activity opportunities for everyone.
The Team recently accessed Department for Education (DfE) investment to deliver Kent and Medway’s Next Level Coaching programme for 112 students to become level 2 qualified coaches. Working in partnership with Sport On Your Doorstep CIC, the two-day 1st4Sport ‘Multi-Skills Development in Sport’ Award has been delivered to students from 22 schools, situated in areas of high deprivation.
Daniel Bromley, Children & Young People Development Officer, Active Kent & Medway commented, “The Next Level Coaching programme is an amazing opportunity for the students. Not only does it give them a recognised coaching qualification but also mentoring support to help with future employment opportunities. If you’re a local organisation who can offer industry-specific opportunities for further development, please do get in touch at Daniel.Bromley@kent.gov.uk.”
Mark Roughsedge, Coach and Trainer, Sport On Your Doorstep CIC, commented, “We’re looking forward to phase 2 of the programme, where we will start to connect our young coaches to sport providers in the 7 areas across the county, enhancing our workforces and ultimately leading to more opportunities for these young people across the county.”
31 young coaches also had the opportunity to participate in a Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshop for Young Coaches (16-18 years old). This workshop is available online, but the team were trialling face to face workshops with students from Aylesford School, Maplesden Noakes School, Cornwallis Academy, Holmesdale School, Greenacre School, St John’s Catholic Comprehensive and Northfleet School for Girls.
Natalie Harris, Safeguarding Manager, Active Kent & Medway said, “We are delighted to be partnering with UK Coaching to pilot this new workshop designed to help young coaches transition from participant to coach and help them recognise safeguarding and child protection best practice as an important part of their coaching journey.”
