2005 saw significant developments within the coaching initiatives of the BRSF.

There has been a full implementation of the generic level two coach’s course which has led to the qualification of a total of 22 coaches so far. This number includes coaches that were involved in the pilot project run in 2004 but had only completed the practical units of the qualification. They subsequently completed the Sports Coach UK theory modules we ran in 2005 and so gained full qualification.

We also saw the introduction of the Local Authority Certificate of Competence, designed to enable the delivering of safe skating activities by local authority staff. The development of this qualification was specifically requested by local authority Health and Safety Offices after the BRSF was asked to provide a presentation on skating safety in June to 31 local authority Health and Safety officers by Zurich Municipal, the main insurer for local authorities in the UK.

Both these qualifications are now recognised by Sports Coach UK, Sport England, both local authority sports and recreation associations and Zurich Municipal, the principal local authority insurer in the UK.

The subsequent development and implementation of an insurance scheme for BRSF qualified coaches has resulted from this acceptance and confidence in our products and their delivery. This is reflected in the rate that we have been able to negotiate for full cover of BRSF recognised coaches at £51 pa.

This insurance cover is now accepted by both schools and local authorities for coaches working on their premises.

The Skate Smart program, the generic skating course designed to teach basic skating skills and enable beginners to progress to full discipline skating which forms part of the level two coaches course has now been accepted by The English Schools Sports Association.

Successful pilot projects have already been run throughout Essex, Ipswich, Birmingham, Derby Southport and Felixstowe. The Skate Smart program has been delivered both within curriculum time and as an after school activity.

Members of the BRSF coaching team were asked to facilitate two team building exercises for Siemens International using Roller Hockey as the development tool in July and August of 2005. These were highly successful and further courses similar to these as well as repeat business from Siemens is now anticipated in 2006.

As well as being financially quite lucrative such initiatives allow for links to be formed with potential sponsors and increase the profile and acceptance of roller skating within the community.

In 2005 BRSF successfully lobbied Sport UK, Sport England and Sports Coach UK for acceptance as a “development sport”. This recognition has given us similar representation to the 34 recognised Olympic Sports and has meant that we are now recognised and included in all these organisations initiatives and given the same recognition and delegate access as the true Olympic sports.

This has already meant an invitation to participate in a new government initiative to develop roller activities (including the Skate Smart program) as part of a program of sports activities in North London Schools.

If successful this three year government pilot is intended to go national in 2008.

Main focuses of developments for coaching in 2006 are: