Play Sport Case Study
Six sports coaches were trained to deliver fundamental multi-skills in a variety of settings. Four of these are working within the rural districts generally, with one delivering specifically invasion multi skills such as football, hockey and netball. The other two coaches have a countywide remit to teach the netwall key skills necessary for racket sports. The coaches are deployed on a three monthly basis with a six weekly timetable, working alongside teachers, coaches and play leaders. The sessions compliment any sport specific training that is being taught by the leader or teacher of the group.
As well as teaching directly, the coaches also give support on the delivery of tasks and lessons to teachers and leaders and mentor prospective young leaders.
"Fantastic project - it's great to top up our skills like this with professionals that 'walk the talk' so effectively."
The annual cost of the Play Sport project is in the region of £150, 000. This cost is largely met by the Active England fund, with the remainder coming from Nottinghamshire County Council and the District/Borough councils, the Community Sports Coaches scheme, the governing bodies of sport, the local School Sport partnerships and FE Colleges.
Although key national agencies are supporting the project, Play Sport has only been made possible through excellent links with sports networks in the local communities. Careful consideration has ensured that the project coaches are catalysts in both improving the quality of existing sports provision and developing new activities across all age ranges.
Play Sport is featured on Nottinghamshire's sporting website, Intosport. There is also a link with a Nottinghamshire Libraries pilot project that aims to provide resources to coaches such as manuals, DVDs and CD Roms.
"A good opportunity for younger age groups to get the chance to learn core sports skills which, in later years, will help them develop quickly in the sport they choose to become involved in."
Play Sport Case Study