The 4th UK Coaching Summit being held in Glasgow on 28-29 April 2009, and hosted by sports coach UK and sportscotland, has ushered in the second stage of an 11-year action plan to transform coaching in the United Kingdom, creating a world-leading system by 2016.

The new phase of the plan will impact on coaches and participants on the frontline, delivering on the vision of the UK Coaching Framework and the recommendations of the Coaching Workforce Report 2009-2016.

Goals that will be delivered include:

• A cohesive, ethical, inclusive and valued coaching system where skilled coaches support children, players and athletes at all stages of their development in sport, and that is world number one by 2016.
• Governing Bodies of Sport with high-quality infrastructures to lead coaching in their sport
• A proposed increase of over 93,000 coaches (coaches and assistant coaches/paid and volunteer) in the UK by 2016
• A proposed 53 per cent increase in paid coaches (full-time and part-time) by 2016
• Recognition, and enhancement of, the value of volunteer coaches
• Improved support systems for paid and volunteer coaches
• 100 per cent of coaches and head coaches to hold qualifications by 2016; 60 per cent of assistant coaches and those who help with coaches to hold qualifications by 2016

The new stage follows the successful completion of a three-year phase entitled Building the Foundations that saw an extensive consultation process conducted by sports coach UK that led to the formulation of the UK Coaching Framework.

The Framework maps out the future of coaching in the United Kingdom based on the needs of sports participants.

The Framework has been endorsed by, and received the active engagement of, 31 sports on a UK-wide basis, UK Sport and all four Home Country Sports Councils.

Substantial progress has already been made in defining goals and targets, roles and ways of working between the agencies involved in coaching, the enhancement and alignment of investment in coaching, and how to measure the performance of the coaching system through a coaching scorecard.

Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe MP said: "Creating a world-class coaching system and having a rich resource of skilled coaches at all levels is at the heart of our work to increase participation and generate even greater success in sport in the UK. Delivering the Goals is a dynamic and exciting phase in the UK Coaching Framework as it's about putting new plans, like the new coaching development model, into practice on the front line. I look forward to seeing the results of this next phase of the plan to transform coaching in the UK."

Sports Minister Shona Robison said: "Good quality coaches are essential to sporting success on the world stage as well as encouraging more people to take up sport and ensure that they continue to take part. Our strategy Coaching Scotland is making a significant contribution to achieving the overarching aims of the UK Coaching Framework and ensuring we have a world class coaching system by 2016. The Scottish Government is working hard to encourage more people to take up coaching. We are continuing to ensure more women are given the opportunity to be involved through our Women in Coaching Programme and doing all we can to make coaching an attractive career option where coaches are supported, encouraged, motivated and properly rewarded."

Reflecting on what has already been achieved sports coach UK Group CEO Dr Pat Duffy explained: "Governing Bodies of sport have been designated as the lead bodies for coaching, working in the context of policies and strategies of each of the Home Country Sports Councils and UK Sport. The principle of complementary Coaching Support Networks has also been established, while sports coach UK has been asked to lead, develop and support implementation of a world-leading system by 2016."

Looking ahead to the next phase of work Dr Duffy added: "We now have a firm foundation upon which front-line coaching initiatives will be driven forward from local to national level. The next four years will be a crucial time to increase the availability of coaches at all levels and to deliver the start of a coaching legacy that will extend to 2016 and beyond."

Stewart Harris, CEO sportscotland said: "We are delighted to host the 4th UK Coaching Summit in Glasgow - it is an exciting time for sport in the UK and Scotland over the next few years as we head towards London 2012 and Glasgow 2014. Coaching and coaches are fundamental to our success both in sustaining and growing participation and competing on the world stage. sportscotland will be continuously reviewing our priorities for Scotland in line with the UK Coaching Framework and we look forward to seeing the impact over the next four years."

Coaching Advisory Group Chair Gary Henderson said: "The 4th UK Coaching Summit will set the scene for the delivery phase of the UK Coaching Framework and sport-specific coaching plans. Governing Bodies of sport are the lead deliverers of coaching and coaching development. A crucial outcome of the Summit will be to identify the ways in which national and regional agencies align their future support to Governing Body delivery to ensure we achieve a world-leading coaching system by 2016."

For more information please contact:

Chris Pearce: sports coach UK Communications Officer: Tel 0113 2043526; Mobile 07974 015710; email cpearce@sportscoachuk.org Karen McCall: sportscotland Press Officer: Tel: 0141 534 6588; Mobile 07787 151029; email karen.mccall@sportscotland.org.uk