Following the last ELADG meeting I was able to confirm that Access Sport has now confirmed that they are providing a grant of £1000 to us for Coaching in Athletics over the next year 2008/9. The grant is primarily to help us develop programmes for young athletes in East Lothian and therefore I am proposing to spend the money in the following way:

1. To set up at least 2 or 3 more Introductory Coaching Courses that will bring more parents and Senior Pupils into our Club Coaching programmes. These will be linked to the Active Schools Courses and will be similar to the first one run at Ross High School last April and will enable new helpers to join our clubs.

I have had a request from Dunbar RC and Musselburgh ADAC to set up such a programme early in the new school term. To make it viable we need about 12 people. Please let me have suggestions for dates and times. The Course lasts about 3 hours and can be done either in an evening 6-9pm or on a Saturday or Sunday morning 9-12noon.

2. I have had requests for people wanting to do the UK Coaching Level 1 course and I am trying to persuade SAL to let us run such a course locally (Meadowmill). However I need to know how many would be interested asap.

3. Are there any current Level 1/2 Coaches that want to progress their coaching either by going to another level or by specialising in a specific event? Please let me know asap.

Equally if there are Level 2/3 Coaches wanting to progress higher please let me know.

4. OFFICIALS. Whilst we struggle at our various meeting to get officials it would be good to know whether there are any budding Starters, timekeepers, field or track judges around.

SAL and UKA are always looking for help and it's a great way to get involved especially with the Commonwealth Games in Galsgow 2014 coming up.

5. European Coaches Conference Glasgow November 1/2 2008.

Current UKA Coaches £60. I am willing to fund 4 places (One for each club and one for Schools) but need to know ASAP who wants to go. It will be a superb programme.

6. Specialist Coaches. I would welcome ideas from Clubs/Schools on how we could use Specialist Coaching Sessions to help develop our Team East Lothian athletes who have shown potential in particular events. Equally we may want to have our own Coaching Seminar evening on a specific topic.

Whilst £1000 sounds a lot it needs to be spent wisely. I can only make application for funding specific events in advance. ie Access Sport hold the purse strings so please let me know what YOU the Clubs and Schools want.

Hope you all have a good Summer.

Henry Muchamore

ELADG/Access Sport Coaching Co-ordinator.

0131 653 2547/ Mob 07960 039136