A new co-ordinated approach to coaching will pave the way for greater sporting success at all levels.
That is the view of Isle of Man Sport, which has appointed Trevor Christian as the Island’s first ever Sports Coaching Co-ordinator.
Central to Trevor’s role will be the creation of a sports coach development programme for the Isle of Man.
Gary Corkhill, Executive Chairman of Isle of Man Sport, said:
‘The post is aligned to many of the objectives in Manx Sport and Recreation’s recently released 10-year Strategy for Sport and aims to have a positive impact on the improvement of coaching on the Island across all levels – from grass roots to elite.’
Trevor said:
‘The impact of this could be massive. By improving coaching standards across all levels, with an athlete-centred approach, we can ensure residents have a positive experience of sport that will keep them engaged in sport for life.
‘Laying strong coaching foundations will hopefully see the production of more Manx sports stars competing on the international stage.’
As well as devising and implementing the programme, Trevor will keep Isle of Man Sport abreast of best practice in the development of coaching, will offer guidance to sports’ governing bodies on shaping their coaching structures and will help sports to benefit from coaching grants and awards.
Trevor joins Isle of Man Sport after five years as Manx Sport and Recreation’s Athletics Development Officer.
During this time, he implemented a coaching development programme for athletics, leading to the Isle of Man Athletics Association being named 2012 Athletics Network of the year at the England Athletics’ North West regional awards.
The new coaching programme will be a legacy of the Isle of Man Sporting Excellence Programme, delivered by Kelly Holmes Education – the company set up by double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes – from 2012 to 2014.
Her work saw leading sports experts sharing knowledge with the Island’s coaching fraternity.
More details about the scope of the sports coach development programme will be released soon. Clubs with enquiries should contact Trevor on 688590 or email iomsport@gov.im.
Photo - Trevor Christian.