Bursary scheme set to help support coaching careers

British Equestrian has launched a scheme designed to help new and existing coaches develop their careers

The new bursary scheme will be funded by Sport England and is designed to support staff and volunteers at riding centres that might be held back by the cost of gaining qualifications. The new scheme will help new coaches take the first step to getting their coaching career started or further develop existing coaching skills in the industry.

In the early part of last year, British Equestrian sent out a survey that was completed by riding centres across the UK. The Health of Riding Centres survey results highlighted that the main challenges were riding centres struggling to meet demand for participation because of there being a shortage of qualified staff and volunteers.

Qualifications can range from general riding through to those that are more specific for some of the Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines within the equestrian sector. Applicants can apply for up to fifty percent off the course and/or assessment costs for the different coaching qualifications. The bursary will also support those from a lower socio-economic or ethnically diverse community with a disability – or those who work with participants from these same groups.

British Equestrian Participation Officer David Padgen said: “We hope the scheme and the learning we take from it will help us address the capacity challenges riding schools are facing, while bringing new people and new audiences into our industry, both as coaches and participants.”

Applications for the scheme will close on Sunday 12 March.

For more information, visit britishequestrian.org