Sports Coach UK’s Aspire programme develops the best coaches working in the talent domain. Rugby League’s Paul Wellens joins them.
Sports Coach UK has recruited 22 coaches from across the four Home Countries from a wide variety of individual and team sports to undertake a challenging 18 month accelerated learning programme. Aspire is aimed at developing coaches working in the talent domain.
It is part of Sports Coach UK’s work with UK Sport to align national performance coach development programmes. Aspire was developed to broaden the understanding and influence the practice of those coaches with the potential to progress to a world class level.
After a hugely successful career on the pitch for Great Britain, England and Saint Helens, Paul Wellens announced his retirement from playing in June 2015. He is one of the England Rugby League coaching team. His nomination to join the Aspire programme means he joins coaches of major individual and team sports including the leading Olympic sports.
Jon Roberts, Director of Performance and Coaching, The RFL said; “We are delighted and proud that Paul Wellens is set to join the cohort of Aspire coaches. It is a robust, challenging and prestigious programme. We will continue to support Paul to achieve his maximum potential as a leading coach.”
Mark Moran is Senior Lecturer in Sports Coaching at the University of Bolton and U19s coach at Widnes Vikings, as well as a former Coach Educator at The RFL.
Jon Roberts, Director of Performance and Coaching, The RFL said; “Rugby League coaching goes from strength to strength. Congratulations to Mark and all who have supported him on his coach education journey. He is thoroughly deserving of his place in this final. Everyone involved in coaching Rugby League can also be proud that the RFL has been nominated as National Governing Body of the Year in recognition of the organisation’s commitment to developing sector-leading coaching programmes and resources. The work continues to support and develop more and better coaches at all levels of our sport.”
The national coaching awards are one of the most prestigious within the coaching community. Now in its 18th year, it raises the profile of coaches and the role they play in encouraging participation, performance and excellence. Previous winners include the most successful coaches from a wide variety of sports.
