ECB gets UKCC endorsement

The ECB has achieved endorsement from UK Coaching Certificate - one of five sports governing bodies to be endorsed by UKCC.

Cycling, rowing, rugby union and swimming have joined cricket as what are expected to be the first of many sports to be endorsed.

The UKCC is a key recommendation by the Coaching Task Force and will be a five-level flexible learning system, developed to build on good practice that already exists within existing coach education structures – and ensure equivalence of qualifications across sport.

ECB’s Coach Education Manager, Gordon Lord, said: "Having been invited to participate in the developmental phase of the UKCC, the England and Wales Cricket Board are delighted to be among the first to achieve endorsement.

“The development of UKCC qualifications provided a catalyst for a review and radical overhaul of key elements of cricket's national coaching award scheme. The single most significant adjustment has been the balancing of our traditional technically based 'what to coach' content with the UKCC's emphasis on 'how to coach' skills.

“Early indications are that this approach has already positively affected the way in which cricket is taught and coached across the UK. This point is shared by our coaches, a number of whom with existing ECB qualifications have commented on the value of continuing their professional development through the new UKCC courses.

“A second and similarly important benefit has been the regular communication with and cooperation of other sports involved and also the opportunity to strengthen relations with other home country governing bodies that developing the UKCC has presented us with.

“sports coach UK are to be congratulated on their leadership and support in driving the vision of the UKCC forward and we have no doubt that the impact of the UKCC will create a profound and positive legacy for our coaches and performers, at all levels, for years to come.”