National Young Coaches Academy, February

More than 150 promising young sports coaches attended the Youth Sport Trust's inaugural National Young Coaches Academy.

The Academy, which is funded by Sport England, took place from 17-19 February, and offered a unique opportunity to focus on the coaches of the future. The academy allowed participants to reflect upon what type of coach they want to be and allowed them to improve and develop their personal and coaching skills.

Eight National Governing Bodies of Sport were represented at the academy including badminton, basketball, boccia, football, rugby union, swimming, table tennis and volleyball.

The young people at the Academy attended workshops on developing skills such as communication and organisation through to sessions on observation, instruction and analysis.

Alison Oliver, Director of Sport at the Youth Sport Trust, said:

"The programme we have developed is deeply rooted in developing the people and coaching skills of the young coaches. Throughout the weekend, they will be inspired, motivated and challenged by top-level deliverers and coaches to really understand what it will take for them to develop and achieve their personal best in both sport and in life."

Executive Director at sports coach UK John Driscoll said:

"We fully support the inaugural National Young Coaches Academy.  At sports coach UK, we are committed to recruiting and developing more coaches and the Academy supports us in this mission through providing young coaches with a fantastic opportunity to develop their coaching skills and to consider where they go next on their coaching journey."