New Academy Launched to Support Local Sports Workforce
Tuesday, 14 February 2023
A partnership between the University of Worcester and Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire sees the launch of a new Coaching Academy, developed to support local sports coaches and volunteers.
Sports coaches share their experiences with the audience
The aim of the Coaching Academy is to provide opportunities for the sports workforce from different sporting disciplines to take part in workshops on a host of different topics, as well as to network and share best practice with others from across the region.
The Academy was launched during a special event at the University of Worcester Arena, attended by around 40 local coaches and volunteers as well as several graduates from the university.
Lerverne Barber, Head of the University’s School of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “The aim of the Coaching Academy is to create a support network for the local and regional coaching workforce, to provide access to free resources, information, and ongoing learning opportunities.
“As a university with excellent sports coaching credentials and some elite-level coaches in our staff, as well as students who are studying to become coaches of the future, this partnership felt like a natural step for us. We are keen to support local coaches in the community and to help share our knowledge and expertise, whilst also learning from them.”
Bronwyn Stubbings, Workforce Lead at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, added: “We are committed to supporting our local workforce. Our Coaching Academy is a fantastic support system for the workforce within the two counties, to connect clubs, coaches, volunteers and organisations in the sport and physical activity industry, providing advice and guidance.”
“We are delighted to partner with the University of Worcester to deliver high quality learning opportunities and support our aims of developing a workforce that inspires.”
The Academy will host workshops and conferences as well as provide online resources, such as podcasts, to support the workforce on a host of topics, from engagement of new members to securing funding.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Coaching Academy contact Bronwyn Stubbings, Workforce Project Officer at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, at b.stubbings@worc.ac.uk or see the Coaching Academy’s website page www.activehw.co.uk/coaching-academy