Wales football manager Chris Coleman has given aspiring coaches in Caerphilly a morale-boosting visit.
Coleman attended the final day of training of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Coaches of the Future programme at Glamorgan Sports Park recently.
The Coaches of the Future programme has been running for five years and helps promising coaches to gain recognised qualifications.
The young coaches had the chance to listen to the Wales boss talk about his career and experiences as a professional and International football player, coach and manager, before an engaging question and answer session.
Cllr David Poole, cabinet member for community and leisure, said: “These young coaches have shown great enthusiasm throughout their training, and I’m pleased that they got to meet such an inspirational sports figure in Chris Coleman. The advice and support offered was invaluable and hopefully they will carry this forward on their journey to becoming successful coaches themselves.”
As part of their training, the coaches will gain a Level 2 Award in Community Sports Leadership (CSLA) and will do 30 hours of tutor delivery along with supporting theory lessons. They will also gain First Aid qualifications, Safeguarding & Protecting (SCUK) and complete a Coach Education course.
Once qualified, the young coaches will be deployed into Primary/Secondary schools and Community Settings where they will be given the opportunity to continue into the 2nd year to complete the Higher Sports Leader Award (HSLA) Level 3 course.
The award is recognised as a stepping-stone into employment in the sports and leisure industry, and assists entry into Higher Education.