Gerry Sutcliffe made his comments ahead of the International Coaching Conference that opened at Twickenham Stadium today. The three-day event will examine coach development and coaching systems, with an emphasis on learning from the best examples from across the globe and exploring what a world-leading coaching system looks like.
The Conference has attracted high-profile figures in sport such as Sir Trevor Brooking CBE, Sue Campbell CBE and Sir Clive Woodward OBE as it brings together internationally renowned figures in coaching and coaching systems from 20 of the top nations of the world.
The event is hosted by sports coach UK and supported by the Rugby Football Union, the International Council for Coach Education, the European Network of Sports Science, Education and Employment, British Swimming, and the UK Centre for Coaching Excellence.
The Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing demonstrated the central role coaches play in the achievement of excellence in sport through their mix of technical, tactical, physical, mental, personal and lifestyle expertise, a fact reflected by the Minister, who said: “Coaching is the backbone of sport and plays a central role in increasing participation, satisfaction and performance in sport. Coaches play a pivotal role in the creation of a world-leading community sports system.”
The Minister added: “Coaching underpins each element of the sporting landscape and there is much more to come to strengthen coaching across the board.”
Director of Football Development at the FA Sir Trevor Brooking CBE, who will close the event, said: "It's vital that we engage and exchange with other countries and across different sports in order to continue benchmarking and sharing best practices in coaching.Creating enhanced and sustained support for coaches must be at the top of our agenda if we're going to provide them with a framework within which to progress and develop effectively.
“Forums such as the sports coach UK's International Coaching Conference offer an ideal opportunity for those working in coaching at the highest levels to reflect, review and enhance the coaching landscape."
sports coach UK Group CEO Dr Pat Duffy said: “This conference is part of sports coach UK’s belief in the importance of working in a collaborative way, providing the opportunity to share and benchmark best practice in coaching, and in the development of sustainable and ethical coaching systems.
He added: “The conference also builds on the excellent work that has been done by the International Council for Coach Education and the European Coaching Council in the creation of a revised framework for the recognition of coaching competence and qualifications. The event provides us with an opportunity to profile the newly established UK Centre for Coaching Excellence, which will provide support and education for high-performing coaches.”
Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Francis Baron OBE said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the International Coaching Conference in the new South Stand at Twickenham. As a body we’re committed to the pursuit of coaching excellence at every level, so we strongly identify with the conference’s goals of enabling the development of expert coaches and expert systems. I’m sure our own Coach-Development Team, led by Kevin Bowring, will make a significant contribution to this important programme.”
John Bales, President of the International Council for Coach Education, said: "This conference provides an excellent opportunity for coaches, coach educators and researchers to share perspectives, explore new ideas and learn from some of the leading applied sports people in the world.It will challenge you to not only strive for personal excellence but also to build an environment that will foster and sustain that excellence.”
UK Sport Chair Sue Campbell said: “The hosting of the International Coaching Conference by sports coach UK is a fantastic event for the whole community of coaches worldwide. It will be an opportunity for coaches of all experiences to learn from the best individual coaching delivery and also for the architects of successful sporting systems to demonstrate how key elements of their work can challenge and inform the strategic development of coaching as a valued and desired profession.”
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