You must have heard it 1,000 times over from every level of active person, how a coach has had a positive influence over their performance. This New Year that coach could be you! We want to help you with any resolutions made to take your first steps into coaching in 2016 or to improve upon your already impeccable skills.

Read on and we can tell you about what support we and other organisations can offer and answer any burning questions that you may have so that you can see how easy it is to get involved!

• What you need:
  • Enthusiasm, good communication and common sense are all you need to begin with. Your interest and drive to do well will lead you to learn more about the technicalities of coaching as you go.
  • Coaching is a commitment, be up front and honest about what you can commit in 2016 and choose an environment that suits the time you have available. Coaching doesn’t just take place in established sports clubs and it is not always done at weekends and/or on evenings. There are many other environments that might be more suitable for you and fit in better with the free time you have put aside.
• Who can help you to get started:
  • Contact the Governing Body of the sport you want to be involved in. Your sport’s governing body has developed coach education courses that will help you learn the sport-specific skills needed. Google your sport + governing body for more information!
  • If it is qualifications that you are after then the sports coach UK Coaching System Support Network (CSSN) has a .
  • In England, contact your (CSP): There is a CSP in every county in England and they are responsible for much of the sport and coaching in your county. If you are elsewhere in the UK, then Sport Northern Ireland, Sport Scotland or Sport Wales can help. Your local CSP may have bursaries available and should also be able to provide you with more information.
  • Find out what opportunities there are available in your local area. Look at the Join In website and enter your postcode.
  • Have a look at the notices in your community halls and libraries. What appeals to you? Give the activity leader a call and see if they want a hand.
• Basic Coaching Considerations
• When planning a session it will usually include the following:
  •  A warm-up or preparatory period
  • Time dedicated to developing the participants using a range of activities that engage them both physically and socially
  • The selection of practices, games and competition appropriate to the participants’ abilities
  • A cool-down period
• In order to make sure that you session is safe and more importantly fun consider the following:
  • What is the age range of participants?
  • How many participants are there in the session?
  • What is the skill level of participants?
  • What equipment and space do you have to work with?
  • Do you need to report any illnesses or injuries
• But above all, remember:
  • Taking part in sport or activity for most of us should be fun. If people have fun when they are being active, they will stay active
  • Build a relationship with the people you are coaching. Talk to them and find out why they are getting active and what they want to get out of your sessions
  • You can help people reach their goals, and there are people out there (Governing Bodies of Sport, County Sports Partnerships, other coaches, resources online) that can help you learn more
  • Join a network. You don’t have to do it on your own (for example, !).