East Links: Leading the Field
The new East-links: Leading the Field project offers free sport and active leisure training opportunities in the East of England, and is being delivered through joint collaboration between Cambridge Regional College and LIVING SPORT within the Cambridgeshire area.
East-links: Leading the Field project provides fully funded training courses for members of the sporting workforce (paid and voluntary) who are active in the community. The project began on 1 April 2009 and will run until 31 December 2010.
The project is managed by ACER (the Association of Colleges in the Eastern Region), supported by SkillsActive and delivered by County Sports Partnerships, FE Colleges and National Governing Bodies of Sport throughout the eastern region. The project is provided thanks to funding from the European Social Fund, through the Regional Learning and Skills Council. It is focused on improving current training opportunities in the sport and active leisure workforce.
The project provides the opportunity to access a range of sport and active leisure qualifications that are 100% funded including:
Coaching qualifications in a number of sports
(Funding is available for coaching qualifications at levels 1, 2 and 3. All qualifications will be supplied through National Governing Bodies. The 23 covered sports are as follows: Athletics, badminton, boccia, canoeing, cricket, cycling, equestrian, exercise, movement and dance, football, gymnastics, judo, lacrosse, netball, rounders, rowing, rugby league, rugby union, sailing/windsurfing, squash, swimming, tennis and triathlon).
Officiating qualifications in a range of sports
(Funding support in the attainment of officiating qualifications, in the above 23 sports, is available).
Coach tutor qualifications
(The project will fund tutors in the above mentioned 23 sports or in a more general sports leaders’ qualifications).
Health and fitness qualifications
(Examples of fundable qualifications are as follows: Certificate in Fitness Instructing (Gym), Certificate in Fitness Instructing Exercise to Music, Certificate in Instructing Circuit Sessions, Certificate in Teaching Physical Activity to Children, Certificate in Personal Training, Certificate in Advanced Fitness Instructing (Gym), Certificate in Exercise Referral and Nutrition and Weight Management).
Leisure facilities / operator qualifications
(Examples of fundable qualifications are as follows: Operators Certificate, Award in Basic Pool Plant, Operations, National Pool Plant Operators Certificate, Supervisory Management and RLSS Lifesaving).
Community sport qualifications such as mentoring
Management development workshops
(Examples of fundable qualifications are as follows: Certificate in Sports Leadership, Award in Dance Leadership, An Introduction to Mentoring, Award in Community Sports Leadership, and Certificate in Leading Health Related Activity Sessions).
Athletics, basketball, exercise, dance and movement, equestrian sports, gymnastics and outdoor water activities have been highlighted as county sporting priorities. Applicants from these sports are encouraged to apply early; although applications from all sports are welcomed and encouraged.
To be eligible for funding individuals should be 16+ (at the start of training), working or volunteering in the sporting sector, living or working within Cambridgeshire (for Cambridgeshire funding), and with a dedication to sport.
As applications for this project are expected to exceed the available funding, all interested applicants are required to complete an online expression of interest. Applicants within the Cambridgeshire region will have their applications evaluated by a panel, consisting of members of Cambridge Regional College, Living Sport and National Governing Bodies. Applicants will then be notified on the outcome of their applications with successful applicants invited to complete a full application for funding.
For more information please contact Amanda Gething at Cambridge Regional College Tel 01223 418 363 or Helen Clarke at LIVING SPORT Tel 01487 849922.
For ACER/online application form Click here
