Cash Contest is Risking our Sport Coaches - Burnham

2.10.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 27th Oct 2006

Eleanor Burnham AM today warned that Wales could stand to lose out to England in the bid to develop successful voluntary sport coaching in disadvantaged communities.

During a recent meeting with the Welsh Sport Association it was revealed that unless voluntary coaches get £500,000 to assist with training costs, Wales will lose its grassroots talent to English clubs.

Ms Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Sport, has written an urgent letter to the Assembly Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills to press them on further support for Welsh volunteer coaches.

Ms Burnham said: "It's absolutely vital that the money is found to stop Welsh coaching losing out to English clubs.

"An additional £3 million would eventually be needed to ensure that sports governing bodies can employ the local coaches they need to bring Wales up to scratch.

"I fully support the fantastic efforts of Wales' 300,000 volunteers. Without them there are many communities that would have no provision for local sports and activities. Now it's time for the government to support them too.

"The benefits that coaches bring into their communities are undeniable. Deprived areas experience a huge drop in anti social behaviour through well organised, accessible sports training. It costs up to £70,000 to prosecute and detain a young offender every year. In areas where local coaching has been successfully established, the potential rewards to communities and tax-payers are obvious.

"As for the health benefits, coaching truly can encourage active lifestyles in the population all year round. When keeping a patient in hospital costs £120,000 a year and illness caused by unhealthy living continues to cost the NHS later in life, the benefit of community based coaching can't be missed.

"Improving the health of the nation has been high on the government's agenda, so let's see them back our coaches and make a difference from the ground up across Wales."

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