Coach development takes off in Orkney

Sports and clubs across Orkney have praised a multi-partnership funding scheme which is allowing them to train up coaches and officials.

Almost £80,000 has been made available to local sports clubs thanks to the Council's Crown Estate Community Led Development Fund, sportscotland and Orkney 2025.

Areas to benefit from the Coach and Official Development project, which runs until 2027, include archery, kayaking, gymnastics, athletics, cycling, badminton and sailing.

The Council's Sports Development Officer, Elaine Harcus, said: "We've been working closely with local clubs and Scottish Governing Bodies to plan coach and official development activity, which has mostly been delivered in Orkney.

"We are delighted with the uptake from local clubs making fantastic use of this funding to increase the number of coaches and, in turn, the opportunity to help make sport and activity more accessible for all on the Mainland and within our outer isles.

"The project is supporting volunteers in developing their personal skills, through coach education, official courses and Continuing Professional Development. It is also supporting young people beginning their coaching pathway. Getting potential coaches involved from a young age is key to the development of local clubs and is promising for the future of Orkney sport."

The project will also support the development of performance athletes, including those identified as 'podium potential' for Orkney 2025, as upskilling local coaches will increase their ability to plan and deliver more specialised training for the athletes. A Coach Developer from Stirling University visited Orkney in July and worked with a small group of coaches from Island Games sports.

Chair of the Council's Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer commended the efforts of all involved.

"Orkney athletes and clubs continue to make national headlines for all the right reasons, with medal success stories being shared regularly.

"This additional money focused in on coaching will ensure that we are not only encouraging our young folk to get involved, but also making sure our athletes are receiving the level of coaching that they require to allow for continued success."

Archery

Five local folk have completed the online modules for their Session Coach (Level 1) qualification and are currently working through coaching practice hours prior to in-person training and assessments which are planned for November.

Ian Brough, Club Vice-Chairman, said: "Three archers from Orkney Archers Club, along with two from another club on Eday, have taken up the offer of coaching to become a qualified session coach. With one full weekend in November of coaching/assessing by a coach developer from Archery GB left to do, this will become very beneficial to both local Archery clubs - increasing Orkney Archers Club coaches from one to four."

Gymnastics

A Level 2 Gymnastics coaching course was delivered in Orkney in July with six folk completing the award.

Orkney Gymnastics Club Manager Elspeth MacLellan said: "We are extremely grateful for the fabulous funding we are receiving through OIC, sportscotland and Orkney 2025 to develop our coaching and officials' capacity.

"Increasing the number of Level 2 coaches we have has enabled the Club to implement a full restructure resulting in: additional classes, new weekend classes, reduction to the waiting list, coaches having focussed training groups, clarity in the pathways for preschool, recreational, development and squad (2-Piece, 4-Piece and Island Games Long Squad) groups.

"Vital in supporting these changes will be the additional Level 1 coaches we hope to have before the end of the year (another six-eight coaches). By increasing our overall coaching capacity, we hope to be able to increase the number and types of classes further, to include outreach, disability, adult classes and much more.

"In addition, we have identified around ten parents/coaches/gymnasts who are about to do the online Judging course. Increasing the number of judges is vital for our competitive gymnasts being able to attend competitions south going forward. It also gives us additional experience and knowledge for home competitions."

Athletics and running

Craig Moar from the Orkney Athletic and Running Club completed his Coach in Running Fitness Award.

Club Manager, Inga Linklater, said: "For our senior road and endurance section, we have given four volunteers the opportunity to gain coaching qualifications, and this means that we can now provide well-structured track sessions and get plans rolling for introductory road running groups to encourage folk to embark on their journey to fitness.

"Within our junior track and field section, two of our coaching assistants have progressed through their Level 2 coaching qualification. This is vital for sustaining and developing our club. We have also been able to train up 11 new coaching assistants this year, including seven of our secondary athletes. This has been fantastic, as it has brought their technical knowledge and experience into the coaching team, the primary children and coaches love working with them, and the youngsters themselves are gaining confidence and experience in coaching that will help them so much in many areas of their lives.

"We've just welcomed a further six secondary athletes into the primary coaching set-up and hope to give them the opportunity to gain the qualification in the New Year. Developing our officiating volunteers has also been essential for our regular home competitions and in preparation for the Games.

"The support we are receiving right now is vital for next year but has benefits way beyond that. The development happening in the lead up to the Island Games will create a great legacy, as it will help to ensure that we have thriving clubs well after 2025."

Cycling

Seven participants from Orkney Cycling Club completed the Introduction to Cycling (off road) coaching course recently.

Pete Bentley (Orkney CC Level 2 cyclo-cross coach) said: "Having access to the fund has allowed us to bring a course tutor from British Cycling to Orkney rather than having to put our candidates away.

"This has simplified the course delivery and ensured that we have derived the maximum benefit from the British Cycling coaching team. Our coaches will now go on and support our off-road (cyclo-cross and mountain bike) activities with particular emphasis on junior cyclist development."

Badminton

Three folk completed their Level 1 Badminton Coaching Award in August and there was a Badminton Development weekend where local coaches were supported by Scottish coaches.

Rebecca Reid, of Orkney Badminton Association, said: "At the end of August OBA hosted a coaching weekend which wouldn't have been possible without the support and funding from OIC, Orkney 2025 and sportscotland.

"We had three experienced coaches up delivering a range of sessions for beginners through to Island Games players and our local coaches gained a great deal from shadowing them and assisting in the sessions. The weekend also saw the assessment day for the level 1 course and it's great to see our newly qualified coaches heavily involved in our junior coaching sessions already."

Kayaking

Members of the Kirkwall Kayak Club completed their Swim Safety and Rescue Course in June - they will provide assistance to triathlon swimmers in the Island Games and other events.