OVER the last academic year, nearly 450 volunteer hours have been racked up by those taking part in the council’s Coaches of the Future scheme.

The Coaches of the Future scheme is designed to give young people in the Vale the opportunity to undertake and develop an involvement in coaching and sports leadership.

The programme aims to provide a structured and meaningful introduction to coaching and volunteering in all physical activities by providing training and hands on experience of coaching in schools and the community.

Councillor Gwyn John, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “This is an extremely exciting new initiative which will provide an invaluable insight into sports coaching. The impact that a coach can have on a young person is huge, helping to shape them not only as sportsmen and women, but as people too.

“Everyone remembers a good sports coach and I am delighted that this new programme will help to nurture the skills of the county’s next generation of sports coaches.”

The Coaches of the Future programme is part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s sports and play development team’s commitment to growing a skilled and passionate workforce.