WRU to deliver coaching courses in Welsh
The UKCC (UK Coaching Certificate) is the new UK-wide standardised coaching programme and endorsement of sport specific coach education qualifications.
It has been designed to ensure that sports are delivering the best available athlete-centred coaching – both for elite performance and recreational enjoyment sport – and Bro Ffestiniog Rugby Club will this weekend (Sunday May 6th) play host to the first course of its kind to be run entirely through the medium of Welsh.
A host of would-be coaches will descend upon the Gwynedd club for a two-day UKCC Level One course, which is a workshop-based qualification packed with interactive and practical sessions.
The sessions, delivered by Welsh Rugby Union Development Officers, will include demonstrations of ball handling skills, information on child protection issues and guidelines on how to best deliver a pre-planned coaching session.
The Welsh Rugby Union is delighted to be the first governing body to help break the mould and to increase the use of Welsh within its work in the community.
WRU Community Coach Education Manager, John Schropfer said, “Coaches have the ability to source and mould young talent into the stars of the future and instil the core values of hard work, accountability, belief and, above all, enjoyment into the game.
“Language can make a big difference to the way in which people interact with one another and speaking the Welsh language in sport can be a big advantage both on and off the field. The introduction of this Welsh language UKCC Level One course will give would-be coaches extra confidence to pass on their skills through the medium of Welsh.”
The Welsh Sports Association, the umbrella body for national governing bodies of sport and physical activity in Wales, developed the Welsh Language Development Support Programme in partnership with the Sports Council for Wales and the Welsh Language Board.
The scheme is aimed at creating more opportunities to take part in, coach and be coached in Welsh and focuses on the identification of Welsh speaking coaches and translating existing key resources into the Welsh language.
So, whether taking part in football or canoeing, table tennis or rugby, people across the length and breadth of Wales are beginning to reap the benefits of being able to hone their sporting skills with Welsh speaking coaches in a Welsh speaking environment.
Meri Huws, Chair of the Welsh Language Board, said, “Extending the use of Welsh beyond the school gates is vitally important and we have to make sure that opportunities are fully aware for this to happen. Using Welsh socially through sporting activities is when the language has a chance to grow organically to be a natural part of life.”
The award represents the culmination of activity between the Welsh Sports Association’s Welsh Language Development Officer Ceri Thomas, and Wynn Isaac, the WRU Development Officer for Gwynedd.
Ceri Thomas of the Welsh Sports Association believes that the introduction of the course could prove to be a significant milestone for Welsh sport and the use of the Welsh language:
“This occasion creates history and raises the profile of Welsh language coaching provision across Wales.
“This will be the first of many courses to be run through the Welsh language. The Welsh Rugby Union’s TAG award qualification will again be available through the medium of Welsh next season, helping to increase the opportunities for rugby coaches to train in and, more importantly, provide participation opportunities for people in the language of their choice.”
Go to www.wru.co.uk/coaching for more information about WRU coaching courses.
