Community Coaches

The Community Sports Coach Scheme (CSCS) has given the ARA the opportunity to encourage and support more coaches, promote healthy living, develop local rowing clubs and further the sport of rowing in general.

In rowing, key groups of young people and new participants across all backgrounds have been targeted through the scheme. CSCS also fits strategically with other initiatives, including PE, School Sport and Club Links (PESSCL), the Community Club Development Programme (CCDP) and Step into Sport (SIS).

The ARA consulted widely with local authorities, schools and rowing clubs, to identify target areas for Community Sports Coaches (CSCs). New CSCs were placed at clubs accredited within the ARA's Project Oarsome programme, enhancing the quality of coaching available and the opportunity to develop school club links.

All CSCs are supported through a local support group and the ARA's Coach Development Group, with additional training and support provided through sports coach UK and County Sports Partnerships.

The ARA employs a number of full-time and part-time CSCs based at clubs across the country.

The CSC Scheme has enabled the ARA to:

• significantly increase coaches at community level
• provide clear pathways for coach progression
• provide coaching that builds on the ARA's Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) framework
• develop coaches to mentor and support other coaches and volunteers, enhancing sustainability