The Irish Football Association and Sport NI have shown their commitment to university sport by sponsoring scholarships for the University of Ulster’s Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching.

The Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching, which will produce its first graduates in July, represents the first formal academic qualification in sports coaching on the island of Ireland.

As more people choose sports coaching as a career, there is now recognition that it is no longer just a volunteer activity, and sporting organisations are moving to professionalise coaching.

Shane McCullough, lecturer in Coaching and Sports Development in Ulster’s School of Sports Studies said: “The scholarship programme came about as part of Sport NI and the IFA’s strategy to support coaching. The organisations are providing a one-year bursary to cover the cost of the fees for the two students. By committing to the scholarships, these two organisations are underlining the importance they place on the professional preparation of a skilled coaching workforce.

“Coach education is not something that can be left to chance. There is a need for structured activity and quality programmes of study designed to dovetail with the sports-specific governing body coach education scheme, and which will also develop the academic side of coaching. This new degree takes into account the research and study to produce thoughtful, perceptive and effective coaches capable of developing performers at all levels.”

With changing lifestyles, many children are leading much more sedentary lives, with more emphasis placed on playing video games than taking part in physical activity and this is something the coaching programme is aiming to address.

Shane said: “Developing physical activity programmes is very important and monitoring how children respond to different coaching techniques and programmes is essential to building effective coaching.”

Michael Boyd, IFA Head of Community Relations said: “The scholarship programme underlines both the IFA’s and the University’s commitment to invest in coaches’ professional development. Coaches are important leaders and role models in the community, and we believe this programme will support the development of the game.”

First holders of the scholarships are Kevin Doherty and Wesley Gregg, who picked up their scholarships this week at the University’s Jordanstown campus.

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young