Sports Coaching Conference a Success

The inaugural Coaching Conference organised by Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent (SASSOT) last Sunday 29^th April, proved a great success with over 100 sports coaches and volunteers attending workshops at Staffordshire University’s Leek Road Campus.

Graham Knight, former Technical Director of UK Athletics and Olympic coach was the guest speaker at the event which aimed to recognise, develop and promote the skills of sports coaches from our region and beyond.

"The event was a tremendous success and the culmination of some of the wider work of the Partnership to develop coaching as a profession and to begin to address some of the skills gaps and shortages that recent research has highlighted", said Ben Hollands, SASSOT Workforce Development Officer "We’re working hard to increase the numbers of participants in sport, especially in the run up the London 2012 Olympics and the numbers of coaches and sports represented here today is testimony to the commitment of our coaches".

The day’s content ranged from advice on how to make coaching a business to how to improve sport specific coaching sessions.

Alan Rogers, Badminton Coach said "It was a great day, with lots of inspirational ideas on a more professional approach to coaching especially in the school environment".

For further information on becoming a coach please visit the sports pages at www.sportacrossstaffordshire.co.uk or contact Ben Hollands on 01785 619317 or bhollands@staffordbc.gov.uk.