Sports 20 April 2020
Funding secured for Falkirk Active Schools Coach Academy Plus Programme
Falkirk Community Trust (FCT) has confirmed that it has been awarded a grant from the Young Start National Lottery Community Fund to continue to grow the Coach Academy Plus Programme over the next three years.
The Coach Academy Plus programme will provide extensive training and upskilling opportunities for pupils in Falkirk’s local high schools and the wider community. Aimed at young people aged between 13-21 years the programme offers a coaching and training plan that will allow participants to gain qualifications and build confidence, self-esteem and essential employability skills through this Falkirk-wide initiative.
The young people will receive a wide range of qualifications including, but not limited to: First Aid, UKCC Sports qualifications, Child Protection and Wellbeing, Mental Health Awareness and Employability training. Once recruited and trained, the young people will be mentored by a team including Active Schools Coordinators, Sports Development Officers, PE Teachers, Community Hub Officers and identified Peer Mentors, giving all young people a fantastic network of support and experience so they can grow and develop their skills within this programme.
Upon qualifying, participants will work in partnership with Active Schools Coordinators to deliver sports sessions to thousands of primary and secondary pupils across Falkirk. In addition to this, the Trust will utilise its network to support the young people into other coaching opportunities within community club environments and where possible into paid coaching roles.
We were able to complete our previous programme without any delays as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and we aim to launch the new programme when schools reopen. The National Lottery has been incredibly supportive of this situation and has advised that some flexibility will be required around project start dates. We will continue to monitor the status and seek advice as required in this area.
Cameron Reid, Active Schools Manager said: “Falkirk Community Trust are delighted to be able to continue to deliver and grow the very successful Coach Academy Programme for the young people of Falkirk. The grant from the Young Start National Lottery Community Fund will allow us to provide more opportunities for the young people of Falkirk to receive training and develop their experience. Over the last two years, we have had around 200 young people, representing all nine High Schools in the Falkirk area, benefiting from the programme. This funding will ensure that over 400 more young people can receive support and training over the next three years.”
There's more information regarding the Active Schools programme within this website.
