THE Vale of Glamorgan Council’s sports and play development team are looking for talented teenagers who are interested in sports coaching to join an exciting new training programme.

The ‘Coaches of the Future’ programme will give young people plenty of first-hand experience, with guidance and mentoring from some of the best local sports coaches to help them make their first steps into sports coaching and leadership.

The programme will start with a four-day course during February 2013 (half term week), and over the months that follow up to the end of July 2013 candidates will have the chance to earn coaching qualifications in sports such as football, netball, athletics and coaching disabled performers.

Applicants will also be given the opportunity to put everything they have learnt into practice by helping with the running of several school and community sports festivals and events being organised by the Vale Council’s sports and play development team.

Applications are open to any 16 and 17 year-olds (born between September 1, 1995 and September 1, 1996) in the Vale of Glamorgan. Potential candidates can either be pupils who are currently studying in Year 12 in school or college, or teenagers who are no longer in full-time education.

The key for all applicants is a passion for sport, as Ben Williams, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s active young people co-ordinator, said: “We are really excited to be launching this new training programme which will provide an invaluable insight into sports coaching.

"Research has found that between the ages of 16 and 18 is a peak time for attracting people into coaching, and we hope that this new programme will give young people in the Vale a unique opportunity to kick-start their coaching CVs and gain personal skills and experience that they will hopefully put to good use in the future.”

Ben added: “Applicants don’t necessarily need to have coached before or have any existing coaching qualifications. We are looking for individuals who are committed, enthusiastic, good communicators, passionate about sport and keen to give something back to their school or community.”

The ‘Coaches of the Future’ programme is part of the wider sports leadership and training opportunities offered by the Vale Council’s sports and play development team, which also includes signing up young ambassadors in secondary schools, and running active young people leadership courses for young people aged from 14 upwards.

Cllr Gwyn John, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “Community sports clubs in the Vale of Glamorgan rely on the dedication of sports coaches who go the extra mile to train people of all ages, and this new programme will help nurture the skills of the county’s next generation of sports coaches.

"As was shown in this year’s Olympics and Paralympics, the impact of a good coach cannot be underestimated. It was notable to see how much credit the athletes gave to their coaches, who work all year round to help them achieve their potential. Whether it's at that elite level, or in grass-roots sport, a good quality sports coach can make a huge difference.”

An application form for the ‘Coaches of the Future’ training programme can be downloaded online from www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/sportsandplay

An information evening is being held at the Vale Council’s Dock Office in Barry on Thursday, November 29, with sessions at 5.30pm and 6.30pm for potential candidates to find out more.

The deadline for applications is Friday, December 14. You can also get further details by calling Ben Williams on 01446 704795.