News
Shared Apprentice Scheme Update – Jan 2023
Since the launch of the Welsh Government Shared Apprenticeship Scheme Welsh Government Shared Apprenticeship Scheme in August 2022. Of the 15 clubs nationally, (6 in North Wales, 3 in Mid Wales and 6 South Wales).
Some clubs and organisations have already benefitted from recruiting a community sport apprentice, by increasing the skills of coaches and improving quality of delivery and membership. Some are still recruiting and theres still some places left for new clubs and organisations to join the movement:
Clubs that have recruited an apprentice include:
- Deeside Dragons Ice Hockey Club – Michael Speare
- Holywell FC in the community – Harvey Birch
- Conwy Schools Football Association – Kai McDonald – Hughes
- CPD Bangor 1876 – Sam Tocker
Other clubs still looking to recruit an apprentice include:
Below is some detail of how the community sport apprentices are having an impact in their communities. But there are still 8 spaces left for clubs / organisations to join the movement and gain financial support and incentives (Now up to £6,000) any interested clubs can gain more information via:
Website: www.achievemoretraining.com
Email info@achievemoretraining.com
Phone 01745 797 797
Deeside Dragons Ice Hockey Club – Michael Speare
Deeside Dragons Ice Hockey Club ceased to exist while the only Ice rink in N.Wales was closed and the building used by the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic. All players ceased to play or moved to other clubs in England. But with the Ice rink up and running since December 2022, Michael Speare has been busy since September gauging interest in local schools and providing school-club linked sessions to get the club and its teams back playing again with new members.
Holywell FC ‘In the community’ – Harvey Birch
Holywell FC ‘In the community’ was a thriving scheme up until 2019. With visits from Ryan Giggs and Danny Welbeck at its heights. But since the Covid-19 pandemic, all community coaches have moved on and projects have not continued. New community sessions will be started in 2023 with some support from new community sport coach apprentice, Harvey Birch.
Conwy Schools Football Association – Kai McDonald-Hughes
The Conwy Schools Football Programme was re-started in 2021 after local demand for a schools representative side. There are now pathways for boys and girls at key stage 3 and 4 to represent their county and have an opportunity to trial for Wales school boys/girls. Ffit Conwy subsidise the programme so that there are no fees to pay ensuring no barriers for any potential players. New apprentice Kai McDonald-Hughes will be making his way around schools in Conwy throughout 2023 to provide free school sessions, increase participation, have fun and promote the counties ‘primary 5’s event’ whilst also being the assistant to the head coach at each age group at regional level.
Bangor 1876 FC – Sam Tocker
In April 2019 the Supporters Association of Bangor City voted overwhelmingly to create a breakaway club in order to protect football in the city. Since starting in tier 5 of Welsh football the following season, they have succeeded on the field with back to back promotions and currently play in tier 3 with a good chance of promotion to tier 2 this season too. Since their inception they have not forgotten their community routes and the recruitment of Sam Tocker as Community Sport Coach Apprentice will help to increase delivery of more sessions for different user groups in the community whilst forging stronger links with the local business community to ensure off the pitch success matches their on filed triumph’s.