Herts Sports Partnership have put out the call out for budding basketball coaches who are keen to gain a qualification in the sport through local courses for level two (club level) coaches. The five day coach education courses start on the 8th May at North Herts College Campus in Hitchin and on the 31st May at Francis Bacon School in St Albans.

The courses are being put on as part of a programme of coach education designed to boost the number of qualified coaches in the county, so that more people can enjoy activities like community basketball.

Tony Marmo, from Hertfordshire Warriors Basketball Club, organiser of the coach education courses for Herts Sports Partnership, said: “These courses are designed for people who want to coach basketball in a club environment. The five day course will take them through all aspects of ‘offensive’ and ‘defensive’ strategy and the role of a coach in the club environment. Participants will leave with a level two coaching qualification which allows deliver club basketball to all ages.”

Coaching Development Manager for Herts Sports Partnership, Rob Hardwick said: “In recent years, there has been a surge in popularity for basketball, but like many sports it needs more qualified coaches – particularly for short sided versions of the game that can be played in informal community settings. This year alone we’ve trained more than 60 coaches through level one (beginner), which shows just how popular these programmes are.”

He added: “With support from our partners, we have managed to keep the cost to an absolute minimum, as we firmly believe that the availability of enthusiastic, properly qualified coaches is central to the legacy aspirations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

To find out more about these and other coaching opportunities visit the Herts Sports Partnership website: www.sportinherts.org.uk/workshops-courses or contact Lynsay Evans on 01707 281008 or info@sportinherts.org.uk