Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to improve standards in sports(a) administration and (b) coaching. [50236]
§ Mr. BanksIn addition to audit work, the English Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, seeks to improve standards in the general administration of sport through its Running Sport programme. The programme offers courses and guidance material across a wide range of sports management and administration issues. The programme has been developed and delivered in partnership with a wide range of organisations, including governing bodies and local authorities. The ESC's Volunteer Investment Programme also includes training and advice on administration and management issues for the many volunteer officials and coaches who help run sport at all levels. 2,800 volunteer managers benefited from training in 1997–98. The ESC also keeps in regular contact with the British Institute for Sports Administration and collaborates with it on specific projects.
The United Kingdom and the English Sports Councils are providing £2.261 million in grant-aid to the National Coaching Foundation (NCF) during the current financial year. I am pleased that the Councils are continuing to support the NCF's work in providing education, 115W instruction, and training to professional and volunteer coaches at all levels of British sport. Around half the ESC's £1.561 million grant to the NCF will be used to support two major projects under the ESC's National Junior Sport Programme: the Champion Coaching Scheme which seeks to recruit and train more coaches for young people; and, Coaching for Teachers, by which over 8,500 primary and secondary teachers will be given the opportunity to develop their coaching skills in 12 different sports. The United Kingdom Sports Council has been working closely with the NCF in particular to ensure that the needs of elite athletes and their coaches are properly met.