sports coach UK has unveiled the industry blueprint to create a world-leading coaching system in the UK by 2016. The UK Coaching Framework was launched at the 3rd UK Coaching Summit in Coventry on the 22nd April with 560 delegates from more than 30 sports in attendance, as well as representatives from each of the four Home Country Sports Councils inc. Sport England, UK Sport, Skills Active and the Youth Sport Trust.

The vision outlined in the Framework is to create a cohesive, ethical, inclusive and valued coaching system where skilled coaches support children, adults, players and athletes at all stages of their development in sport, and that is world-leading by 2016.

The Framework highlights how sports coach UK plans to work in close partnership with governing bodies of sport and each of the Home Country Sports Councils to enhance the quality and quantity of coaches at all levels of sport. The objective is to help coaches play a key role in increasing sport participation, improving sporting performances and in building a clear career structure for coaches within a professionally regulated vocation.

sports coach UK chairman, Ian McGeechan, said: “The launch of the document marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. We have built a strong consensus, based on the needs of the sports, on what will be needed to create a world-leading coaching system by 2016.

Based on this consensus, the real work starts now to ensure that six of our sports have world-leading coaching systems and that a further nine are in the top 3-6 in the world. The UK Coaching Framework will be the reference point for the future and will provide the basis on which we can evaluate progress.”

UK Sport Chair, Sue Campbell, said: “Hosting the London Olympics in 2012 presents the UK with a unique opportunity to revolutionise its high-performance sports system and leave a lasting legacy for years to come. To that end, the introduction of the UK Coaching Framework supports the recognition of coaching as a professional career.

“Its implementation will raise the standard and sustainability of coaching in the UK, promoting a clear pathway for the development of world-class coaching expertise from grassroots to elite level.

”We look forward to working in partnership with sports coach UK to produce a world leading-coaching system.”

Sports Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, who attended the conference, emphasised the importance of coaching and welcomed the launch of the framework.

He said: “Good coaches and a strong coaching system is vital; not just to generate sporting success at the elite level but also to help increase participation in schools and at the grassroots. sports coach UK's coaching framework can help us achieve on all these counts.

I look forward to working with them, UK Sport, Sport England and my fellow Sports Ministers in the devolved administrations in taking this forward. Together we can help create a strong sporting legacy for Britain in the run up to London 2012 and beyond.”

Jennie Price, Sport England Chief Executive, said: “Great coaching is the key to great community sport. We are proud to have supported sports coach UK in the development of the UK Coaching Framework, which recognises the vital role coaches play in introducing people to sport, helping them to realise their potential, and spotting and nurturing our stars of the future.”

sportscotland CEO Stewart Harris added: “Well trained, confident and capable coaches are key to delivering increased participation and improving performances in Scottish sport. Coaching is a recognised priority for sportscotland and in conjunction with national and local partners we aim to help Scotland's coaches meet their full potential and further their coaching careers - whether in a voluntary or paid capacity.

“We warmly welcome the development of the UK Coaching Framework, which fits well with our own plans for coaching in Scotland. In particular it will help sporting bodies across the UK work more closely together to develop a skilled coaching working force at all levels.”

Philip Carling, Chair of the Sports council for Wales, said: “Coaching is at the very core of sporting success - it underlines sustainable participation and is clearly instrumental on the international stage. This blueprint is to be welcomed and the Sports Council for Wales is committed to the advancement of a world-class coaching culture.”

Eamonn McCartan, Chief Executive of Sport Northern Ireland, said: “Sport Northern Ireland has been involved in the development of the UK Coaching Framework and is delighted to see it officially launched in Coventry today. The key messages in the document are in line with the Draft Northern Ireland Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation 2007-2017 which will be launched in the near future.”

Gary Henderson, RFU Head of Coach Development & UK Lead Officer Rugby Union, said: “sports coach UK has led the development of the UK Coaching Framework and rugby union recognises that being part of this process will help us to enhance the quality of our coaches leading to more enjoyable playing experiences for players at all levels.

“The UK Coaching Framework has guided the English, Scottish and Welsh rugby unions to clarify the fundamental characteristics of a world-leading rugby union coaching system, which produces higher quality coaches at all levels.

“As a trailblazer sport, we now look forward to working closely with sports coach UK to take our planning into reality through the implementation of high-quality coaching programmes, resources and support systems.”

Steve Grainger, CEO of Youth Sport Trust, said: “Coaches are key to our work to build a world leading PE & School Sport System and to offer all young people the opportunity of 5 hours sport a week.

”We are delighted to have worked with sports coach UK in supporting the development of the UK Coaching Framework and look forward to supporting more coaches to work with more young people and to develop young people as the next generation of coaches.”