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North East on the Road to 2012 Success with Club and Coach Fund

As we begin to count down the days to 2012, Sport England North East has announced over £3 million investment into club and performance sport through the Club and Coach Fund.

This cash injection has already led to the recruitment of some 33 coaches of the highest calibre and comes as the UK’s medal winning Olympic cyclists roll into the region for the first time as part of the Tour of Britain. Local lad, Middlesbrough born, Chris Newton is just one of the Olympians taking part in the Tour after powering his way to a bronze medal in Beijing. Like all great athletes, he appreciates the importance of investment into quality clubs and coaches.

Cycling is just one of the 20 sports that will benefit from this boost which will reach across more than 200 clubs. The money will be used to help people progress to playing sport in club and performance environments under the watchful eye of the National Governing Bodies of Sport.

Peter Root, regional manager with British Cycling, the National Governing Body for the sport, said: “The Club and Coach Fund enabled British Cycling to employ a coach to work solely within the North East. Jon Bateman has already made an impact on coaching cycling in schools and clubs around the region and will see the introduction of a Youth Racing League in 2009 to continue the search for future Olympians from the region.

The Fund is already making a real difference to the people who are taking part in sport as they enjoy improved coaching standards leading to a higher level of success and better sporting experience. This increase in standards looks set to continue, not least in swimming where the role of Beacon Programme Head Coach at Sunderland Aquatic Centre is soon to be recruited.

Lara Lill, regional director with Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) said: “Swimming’s success in the 2008 Beijing Olympics has given fresh motivation and enthusiasm to the potential 2012 team. Development work in the region has seen the Sunderland Aquatic Centre provide an excellent opportunity for our home grown swimmers to access all the support structures they need to fulfil their daily requirements. The Beacon Programme will offer our athletes the chance to gain 50m training on a regular basis under the direction of a top, world class coach. We are very excited to be able to provide a world class training environment in the North East and a clear pathway for progression.

Not only will the coaches make a difference to the people they train but they will also have an impact on other coaches across the region, acting as mentors and role models to help raise the bar and improve standards.

Judith Rasmussen, regional director with Sport England North East, said: “Our investment in this network of outstanding coaches and clubs is testament to our commitment to ensure that everyone gets the very best start possible in sport and reaches their full potential. We have always boasted high quality facilities in the North East and to have the people in place to support this will have a huge impact.

“The success of our regional athletes in Beijing demonstrates that the North East has the passion and talent to enjoy sporting success. Benefiting from world class clubs and taking part under the watchful eye of world class coaches will encourage more people to become involved and excel in their chosen sport. We may find the next Steve Cram or Tanni Grey Thompson.”

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