Courses aim to encourage sports coaches and officials

FREE coaching and official courses are being offered next week in Wanaka, in the hope of increasing the number of coaches and officials for growing clubs in the area.

Sport Central is hosting the three courses, to run over a week starting next Thursday, on getting started as an official, as a coach, and understanding aspects of training such as nutrition and load management.

Community sports adviser Kelvin ‘‘Tiny’’ Carruthers said sports clubs were experiencing ‘‘huge growth’’ and there was a need for more coaches, officials, and support.

‘‘They’re saying they’re always struggling to get people to fill those roles.’’

Next Thursday, international foot ball referee Lindsay Robinson and national touch rugby referee Kirsten Wyatt will lead a course for beginner officials, covering topics such as managing yourself, the players and the sideline, positioning, and developing a good rapport.

The following Monday, Otago Rugby’s Aaron Callaghan and Jamie Lane, of the Central Otago Primary Sports Association, will present a course on coaching, including running games for understanding that will become useful coaching tools.

On March 21, New Zealand Football’s Shane Carvell will present a warmup and cooldown session endorsed by the Accident Compensation Corporation, touching on topics such as nutrition, hydration, concussion protocol and load management.

Mr Carruthers said it was a fairly new initiative and was pleased to have such experienced presenters. All courses would be ‘‘handson’’. While the courses are free, interested people need to register with Mr Carruthers by email at tiny@sportotago.co.nz

Getting started as an official — Thursday March 14, 7pm8.30pm, Wanaka Recreation Centre.

Getting started in coaching — Monday March 18, 7pm8.30pm, Wanaka Primary School.

ACC warmup/cooldown — Thursday March 21, 7pm8.30pm, Wanaka Primary School.

❛ The clubs are experiencing huge growth and therefore there’s a need for more coaches, more officials, and more support. They’re saying they’re always struggling to get people to fill

those roles

Sport Central Community sports adviser Kelvin ‘‘Tiny’’ Carruthers