Coaching Highland Statement

STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COACHING HIGHLAND

Background:

Coaching Highland (CH) was originally set up as a voluntary organisation, titled Gael Force Ten, in May 1995. Its purpose was to develop the quality and quantity of sports coaches in Highland in response to a report by Slainte which identified that whilst there were many coaches delivering in many sports clubs, the majority of them were not qualified to do so. The organisation grew to be so successful that in 2005 it was replaced by CH which was established as a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. This change in status enabled funding to be brought in from external agencies and trusts. This complimented the Highland Council (recently changed to High Life Highland) funding which covered salaries and core office costs.

Two HLH staff run the company with a third employee who is hired directly by CH to deliver an extensive Sports Leaders Award Programme for over 1,000 people.

The work of CH was recognised at a UK level in 2008 by being the first ever recipient of the title UK’s Leading Agency in the Support of Coaching, and was also runner up in 2009.

Current Situation:

In October 2010, sportscotland restructured their coaching support to a regional model and this meant a loss to CH of their core project delivery budget, a sum of £40,000 per annum. This now means that CH has no operating budget.

Instead, sportscotland now employ a Regional Coaching & Volunteering Manager for Highland and the Islands, which has resulted in a change of roles and responsibilities for the Highland area. The aim locally has been to clarify ways in which we can ensure the range of coach support and development continues to the high standard enjoyed by all to date and that neither the level nor the quality of service is hampered.

CH have been utilising their reserves in order to continue their coaching development work during 2011-12. However, this is rapidly diminishing and the organisation will be unable to continue for more than a year if the situation is not resolved soon.

Therefore, as a Board of Directors bound by Charity and Company Law, we are looking at options for the future and will make a further announcement later in the year when the most effective way forward has been identified.

Please note that all existing grants and courses to March 2012 will run as normal.