Cabinet Office Minister Matthew Hancock MP joined a number of London’s biggest sporting organisations to help launch a new apprenticeship scheme at Lord’s on Monday 9th May.
The Coach Core consortium brings together six major organisations including the London Rugby League Foundation and the MCC, to support 20 apprentices to become qualified sports coaches.
The Fulham FC Foundation, sport for social change charity Greenhouse Sports, London Youth Rowing and the West Ham United Foundation are also backing the scheme.
Coach Core is a programme funded by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, and already operates in three other major UK cities. The Coach Core consortium not only provides an apprenticeship, it also makes available additional training in terms of coaching qualifications and Create Development courses.
Apprentices will also have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience through supporting an international Test Match at Lord’s and other major sporting events.
Matthew Hancock MP said: "Apprenticeships are making a big comeback in the UK. They are a core part of the most successful skills systems across the world.
"So it is great to that sports organisations are teaming up to create coaching apprenticeships. This is clear evidence that apprenticeships are becoming more and more diverse and that is something this Government welcomes, as we look to inspire and educate the young people of Britain."
Mulenga Chafilwa, a previous Greenhouse Sports apprentice, said: “The Coach Core programme gave me the skills, passion and desire to succeed. I’ve gained a good education and have had some fantastic opportunities as a result of it, and it’s great that it’s being so well supported. I hope that lots of other young people gain as much from the scheme as I have.”
The London Rugby League Foundation will be looking to recruit two apprentices to start in August 2016. More details on eligibility and applicaiton process will be posted on the website in early June.
