HC Deb 13 January 2003 vol 397 cc421-2W
Nick Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans she has to compile a directory of the coaches that will be available to schools and community groups; and if she will make a statement; [89996]

(2) what plans she has to introduce career structures for coaching of sport; and if she will make a statement. [89997]

Mr. Caborn

We are investing £28 million from 2003–04 to implement recommendations of the Coaching Task Force for: a five-level national coaching certificate; ring-fenced resources to enable a step change in national governing bodies' coach education systems; a network of community-coach employment agencies to provide the local infrastructure to recruit, employ and deploy professional coaches in their area; a network of 45 coaching development officers deployed locally to assist in the strategic planning, implementation and management of coach development; and a major Come into Coaching recruitment drive to attract more people to enter coaching. These proposals will tackle the shortage of coaches, both professional and voluntary, and recognise coaching as a profession, with accredited qualifications and a career development structure.