Bay of Plenty coaches encouraged to invest in own development

Sport Bay of Plenty is calling for coaches to apply for its 2019 Development Coach Advance programme to help them build effective and sustainable coaching practices.

The programme, which is in its second year, has supported more than 25 coaches to learn new coaching skills, improve collaboration with peers and grow their confidence and coaching capabilities to support community sport.

Sport Bay of Plenty community coaching advisor Shan Jensen-Loach said the programme was open to established coaches involved in a non-elite level of sport.

"Coaches working with secondary school students or with local clubs are a key part of ensuring the sustainability of community sport. The quality of their coaching can also have a huge influence on young peoples' decision to keep participating in sport.

"The Development Coach Advance programme is designed to help community coaches focus on their learning and invest in their coaching skills. The programme not only helps them, it also helps their athletes, team or club."

Jensen-Loach said the 10-month programme covered a range of topics including effective coaching practice, athlete development, ways to build and lead sporting environments, skill adaptability and coaching mental resilience.

Past participant Donna Williams, a hockey coach, said she learned a lot by interacting with coaches from other codes.

"I really enjoyed the learnings and came away with so much that I'm looking forward to applying in the 2019 season."

Applications for the 2019 edition of the programme close at 5pm on Thursday.

Applicants must be coaching in the developing space (secondary school or adults), and need to be endorsed by their relevant club, centre or regional sporting organisation. The 10-month programme starts on March 31.

For more information go to sportbop.co.nz/development-coach-advance or email shanj@sportbop.co.nz.

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