Coaching talent put heads together

Tuesday 18 April 2006

Coaches from the East of Scotland are to come together this weekend for a regional coaching conference. Entitled 'Coaching Counts 2006', the East of Scotland Coaching Conference is being held at Bathgate Academy, West Lothian on Sunday 23 April and will offer a quality coach development programme to local and regional coaches.

The conference is a unique partnership of local authorities, sportscotland and the East of Scotland Institute of Sport, along with the Scottish Hockey Union and Scottish Rugby Union, and will provide a practical and innovative programme of opportunities for coaches. This year's agenda focuses on rugby and hockey with around 80 coaches taking part in workshops from pre-season fitness training (rugby) to incorporating fitness into defending situations (hockey). 

The coaches can also listen and learn from an array of experienced professionals who will be speaking on the day. Keynote speakers include: Billy Bell, lead manager with sportscotland's Developing Potential team; Malcolm Wood, FIH Hockey Coach; rugby player Alan Tait of the Border Reivers; and Bill Noble, a strength and conditioning coach who has been involved with Borders and Scottish Rugby for many years.

Julia Bracewell, Chair of sportscotland, said: "Coaches have a key role to play in harnessing natural talent and inspiring athletes at all levels, therefore it is paramount that Scotland continues to provide coaches with the opportunity to extend their knowledge and expertise.

"We are delighted to be involved in this unique partnership that will deliver comprehensive and innovative workshops that will ensure coaches have the necessary skills to help athletes realise their full potential. I wish all the delegates a successful and enjoyable conference."

• The conference is being held on Sunday 23 April, 9.30am until 4.00pm at Bathgate Academy, West Lothian, EH48 1LF.
• The keynote speakers and subjects they are covering are:
  o Billy Bell, Lead Manager, Developing Potential, sportscotland. Billy has a long history in sports as an international judo competitor, performance coach and professional administrator. Billy will speak on Coaching Scotland, a national framework designed to support present and future coaches and answer questions on the UK Coaching Certificate programme.
  o Alan Tait will present a morning workshop on individual and team defence in rugby.
  o Malcolm Wood will present two workshops on incorporating fitness elements into defending and attacking situations in hockey.
  o Bill Noble will present an afternoon workshop to provide coaches with an insight into the importance of planning for the pre-competition training phase.