sport borders homepage | about us | contact us

Coach Scholarship

Scottish Borders Coach Scholarship Scheme

What is the Coach Scholarship Scheme?

The Coach Scholarship Scheme replaces the financial support that was available to coaches/umpires from Local Sports Councils within the Scottish Borders. It has been introduced to encourage new people to get involved in coaching and umpiring as well as motivating existing coaches to progress their careers by awarding them financial support.

The scheme is being funded by the four Local Sports Councils and SportBorders.

Who is the Scholarship Scheme for?

The Scholarship scheme is for those who:
• Want to participate in sports coaching within the Scottish Borders.
• Are keen to develop their coaching skills.
• Are currently coaching or looking to coach throughout the Scottish Borders.
• Are affiliated to a local Sports Council.
• Live in the Scottish Borders Area.

If applicants are not affiliated to a local Sports Council but would like to apply for the Scholarship – they can apply to join their local Sports Council (as an individual or club) by downloading an application form from www.sportborders.org.uk and combining it with their Scholarship application.

How does the Scottish Borders Scholarship programme work?

There are four levels of support available – workshop, bronze, silver, gold. Applicants must decide what level of support they are eligible for then complete the application form and have it approved by an appropriate referee.

Once SportBorders receives the completed application and supporting reference, it will be reviewed against the set criteria and a decision will be made as to whether the applicant will be offered the Scholarship level they have applied for.

If applicants are successful, they will receive an offer letter determining the percentage of funding they will receive along with a coach agreement and claim form. They will then be expected to complete the coaching commitment and course they applied for.

Cricket coaching

Bronze Scholarship

For Coaches attending Level 1 or equivalant courses.

Essential Criteria	Desirable Criteria
High level of interpersonal and communication skills	Previous coaching experience
Good at motivating and encouraging others	Awereness of good practice and child protection
Attachment to school/club/coaching opportunity	Ability to work as an individual or as part of a team
An interest and knowledge in coaching/umpiring	Be confident, friendly and outgoing
Knowledge and experience in your sport	Be self-motivating and able to use own initiative

The maximum Scholarship amount awarded to any individual for a Bronze application is £200.

All Bronze applications must be supported by a Sports Development Officer, Head Coach, Active Schools Coordinator, P.E Teacher or an Employee of the Sports Development Unit.

Funding will come in the form of a two stage payment, and will be allocated as a suitable percentage of the total cost (0%-100% max).

Football coaches applying for children and youth pathway courses will be rewarded with 50% of total cost of the course. Clubs and coaches who recieve the SFA Quality Mark discount do not qualify for scholarship funding for Level 1, 2 & 3 Coach education courses.

Bronze Application Form Bronze Application Form

Hockey coaches

Silver Scholarship

For Coaches attending Level 2 or equivalant courses.

Essential Criteria	Desirable Criteria
Knowledge and experience in your sport	Ability to meet targets and deadlines
High level communication skills	Knowledge of your sports structure and coaching programmes
Interest in coaching and developing your sport	Ability to plan structured sessions
Previous coaching experience	Have a willingness to undertake necessary training
National Governing Body Level 1 Award or equivalent (2/3 depending on sport)
Commitment to coaching and development of sports in the Scottish Borders
Be involved with a Club/Sports development/Active schools programme
Work to recommended coaching ethos of your National Governing Body
Promote fair play
Work in line with the Long Term Athlete Development structure
Have satisfactory insurance (may be covered by NGB/Club. Applicatnts should check before applying)
Committed to mentoring others in the Scottish Borders

The maximum Scholarship amount awarded to any individual for a Silver application is £400.

All Silver applications must be supported by a Sports Development Officer, Employee of the Sports Development Unit or a representative of the National Governing Body.

Funding will come in the form of a two stage payment, and will be allocated as a suitable percentage of the total cost (0%-100% max).
Silver Application Form Silver Application Form

Athletics coach

Gold Scholarship

For Coaches attending Level 3 or equivalant courses.

Essential criteria	Desirable criteria
Currently coaching athletes who perform at regional level	Coaching a minimum of 5 hours a week in ScottisBorders
Excellent communication Skills	Flexible approach to numerous coaching duties
Commitment to coaching and developing sport in the Borders	Ability to meet targets and deadlines
National Governing Body Level 2 Award (3/4 depending on the sport or equivalent)
Minimum 2 years experience
Ability to plan sessions according to the Governing Body pathways
Understand Child Protection regulations
Work to recommended coaching ethos of your National Governing Body
Work in line with the Long Term Athlete Development structure
Have satisfactory insurance (may be covered by NGB/Club. Applicatnts should check before applying)
Committed to mentoring others in the Scottish Borders
Promote fair play
Be involved with a Club/Sports development/Active schools programme

The maximum Scholarship amount awarded to any individual for a Gold application is £500.

All Gold applications must be supported by a Sports Development Officer, Employee of the Sports Development Unit or a representative of the National Governing Body.

Funding will come in the form of a two stage payment, and will be allocated as a suitable percentage of the total cost (0%-100% max).
Gold Application Form Gold Application Form

Girls football

Workshop Scholarship

For Coaches attending CPD workshops (First Aid, Child Protection etc) or Conferences.

What is the workshop scholarship?

The Workshop Scholarship is financial support for coaches in the Scottish Borders who are keen to improve their knowledge and skills by attending various Coach Development Workshops and Coaching Conferences to improve their coaching knowledge.

Who can apply?

The Workshop Scholarship is open to those who:

• Want to participate in sports coaching within the Scottish Borders.
• Are keen to develop their coaching skills.
• Are currently coaching or looking to coach people throughout the Scottish Borders.
• Are affiliated to a Local Sports Council.
• Live in the Scottish Borders Area.

A suitable percentage of the total cost (0% - 100%) will be allocated.

Payment will be made on completion of the course when all appropriate paperwork has been received and verified (i.e. receipt or copy of certificate).

Workshop Application Form Workshop Application Form

Any decision will be at the discretion of SportBorders.

Coaching Commitment

Coaches who are successful with their application will be expected to report their progress to the Coaching Network Development Officer and update their coaching details, when necessary, so that SportBorders can track their coach development.

For the BRONZE award coaches are expected to:

• Be committed to coaching within the Borders for a minimum of 1 year.
• Attend One Coach Development Workshops i.e. First Aid, Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshops.

For the SILVER award coaches will be expected to:

• Be committed to coaching within the Borders for a minimum of 1 year, which will include 40 hours of coaching/mentoring recorded in a log book.
• Attend a coach mentoring training course which will enable you to support less experienced coaches on the Scholarship scheme and at your club.
• Support and contribute to local events such as Scottish Borders Coaching Conference, Holiday Programme, Borders Sports Academy and help other clubs with less experienced coaches.

For the GOLD award coaches are expected to:

• Be committed to coaching within the Borders for a minimum of 1 year which will include 50 hours of coaching/mentoring recorded in a log book.
• Attend a coach mentoring training course which will enable you to support less experienced coaches on the Scholarship scheme and at your club.
• Support and contribute to local events such as Scottish Borders Coaching Conference, Holiday Programme, Borders Sports Academy and help other clubs with less experienced coaches.

All coaches working with athletes under 18 years old MUST complete a Disclosure Scotland check prior to funds being released.

How do I apply for the Scholarship scheme?

1. Make sure you meet the essential criteria for the Scholarship level you are applying for.

2. Complete the application form which is available from the Sports Development Unit or at www.sportborders.org.uk,

3. Have your request nominated by an appropriate referee e.g. Sports Development Officer, Employee of the Sports Development Unit or a National Governing Body Representative.

4. Return the application form and nomination form to the Coaching Network Development Officer.

5. A decision will be given in writing/email.

6. You will be notified of an award offer before the course starts, and will receive 50% of payment once agreeing to the award offer and making contact with the Coaching Network Development Officer.

7. The remaining 50% of payment will be provided once proof of completion has been received and your coaching commitment has been fulfilled.

8. You will be required to complete a simple evaluation form and update your details on www.sportborders.org.uk so that SportBorders can advise you of the relevant training courses and help provide accurate coaching statistics.

Application forms are available at www.sportborders.org.uk or from the Sports Development Unit (3 St John Street, Galashiels, TD1 3JX) Tel: 01896 756274.

In exceptional circumstances, greater rewards may be considered for any of the levels of Scholarship.
Any decision will be at the discretion of SportBorders.

Application Forms & Sports Council Membership Forms

Workshop Application Form Workshop Application Form

Gold Application Form Gold Application Form

Silver Application Form Silver Application Form

Bronze Application Form Bronze Application Form