Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed sports coaches from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales to Belfast for their annual summit.
The theme of this year’s summit, which is taking place in Belfast for the first time is ‘National to Local; Local to National’.
Speaking at a reception at the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Carál Ní Chuilín outlined the important role of the sports coach. She said: “It is the sports coach who makes the participation experience fun, fulfilling and worthwhile. It is the sports coach who helps and encourages us to take part in and improve at our chosen sport. It is the sports coach who inspires our best athletes to success.
The Minister continued: “If we want the best from our coaches, if we want to motivate them in positive directions and encourage more people to take up and remain in coaching, then we must recognise the coaches’ central role and ensure they have the back-up, support and training they need.
“That is why, in my own sports strategy, Sport Matters, I have identified improving and developing coaching as a major issue to be tackled over the next 10 years.”
Dominic Walsh, Chair of Sport Northern Ireland said: “Sport Northern Ireland is delighted to be hosting the UK Coaching Summit in partnership with sports coach UK. From community-based, grassroots sport through to high performance; Sport Northern Ireland is committed to the development of excellent coaching practice at all levels. The UK Coaching Summit provides all delegates with the opportunity to share best practice, identify challenges, establish solutions and influence the future coaching landscape.”
Notes to editors:
1. The Summit is a key date in the coaching calendar which brings together policy makers and system builders from across England, Scotland, Wales and the North of Ireland. Combining key note speeches and workshops, it provides the opportunity to highlight progress, share examples of best practice, publish key documents and re-focus the common agenda to increase commitment and cohesion.
2. The aim of this year’s event is to inform, empower and inspire delegates to apply learning to create positive change in the recruitment, development and retention of coaches.
3. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office. Tel 028 9051 5047 or email communications@dcalni.gov.uk Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
