Coaching
Coaching Resources in Keighley
Having arrived at a facility in the town, it is helpful in many cases if there is someone there, be they attached to a club, to the facility or some other organisation, to organise, lead and instruct in the particular sport or activity in question.
It is the government’s stated aim to make coaching a professional career, as well as to provide much better support for the army of volunteer coaches who are the basis of amateur sport in the UK. Although many coaches are still voluntary, all now have to go through stringent appraisals and approvals to ensure they are suitably qualified and insured.
It is intended that Keighley builds on the large number of coaches and wealth of expertise already in the town (including, of course, the large range of expertise we have in all the local schools in the form of games and PE teachers) and becomes a recognised centre of excellence for providing coaching opportunities, training and jobs.
Key Links:
KEAPAD – Keighley & Airedale Physical Activity Deliverers
UK Action Plan Consultation
Closing date 8th March 2006
* Information about the consultation
sportK News Item – 21st February 2006
Sad Loss of John Woodcock, top Keighley coach
John Woodcock, a key figure in Keighley athletics and coaching in general, sadly lost his fight against cancer last week. The following note was penned by Anthony Gill, Keighley Sports Development Officer, who was coached to a high level by John:
“John worked as athletics development officer in Bradford for over 15 years, during that time he managed to guide numerous athletes to their own personal Olympics, whether this be school, county, regional or national champion.
On a personal note I have won 15 county titles, 10 North of England titles, 5 National medals and English School Championship and 2 National representative vests, while more recently being ranked top 6 in the National Cycling Championships, none of which would have been achieved without the help support and guidance of John. Along with this, John has managed to coach another 8 internationals and countless regional and county champions all of which started their work with him at the earliest stage of their sporting careers
John had a unique coaching technique that allowed him to take novices in the sport and coach them through to being highly ranked nationally, as well as an ability to work with both beginners and high performance athletes and coach them the skills needed on the track and in life.
Another side of John saw a man who was devoted to developing the sport of athletics not only nationally but internationally. Through John’s work he was able to mentor numerous coaches and officials to create an ever growing popularity for the sport and was instrumental in setting up hundreds of schools competitions which gave 1000′s of children a fun first taste of athletics. More recently John spent 18 months working in Malawi to develop sport (mainly sportshall athletics in cooperation with George Bunner ) whilst also educating the population on the dangers of HIV/AIDS. A legacy to his work in Africa is being set up to coincide with the Olympic Legacy Fund, something now that myself, friends and the sportKeighley partnership will help support.
Never one to take a back seat in the coaching stakes while in Malawi, John coached another athlete, Kondwani, to the 2004 Athens Olympics 800m, proof that all you need is a good coach and a committed athlete to achieve amazing results!!!
As a result of John I have been able to experience things I never thought were possible. I will miss his coaching, the jokes, the training, the competition and training trips away… but mainly I will miss a very close gold plated friend!!
Finally, John was a great coach who balanced his sporting, professional and family life to great effect and will leave behind a fantastic legacy of athletes, coaches and friends who have all been touched by his straight forward, charismatic, professional and humorous personality
A great friend who will be missed by me and countless others!â€