Coaches, Officials and Volunteers Scholarship Scheme guidelines

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What are the aims and objectives?

The aim of the scheme is to strategically increase the number of Hampshire & IOW residents qualified to coach, officiate or volunteer in sport and to raise existing standards.
The objectives are:

• To increase the number of qualified and skilled coaches, officials and volunteers actively supporting the participation of children and adults at a variety of levels in a variety of sports.
• To assist individuals wishing to further develop their coaching, officiating or volunteering skills by completing the governing body award scheme or recognised course appropriate to their needs.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applications are welcomed from:

• National Governing Bodies of sport
• local authorities
• voluntary coaches, officials and other volunteers.

The Coach, Official and Volunteer Scholarship Scheme is open to any coach, official and volunteer who is:

• a full-time resident of Hampshire including the Unitary Authorities of Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight
• aged 16 and over
• looking to take a qualification that is at least a level 2 or equivalent (for coaches)

What do you need to tell us in your supporting statement?

The supporting statement allows us to assess your application in terms of the impact the scholarship will have. It is important to outline the benefits clearly in this section. For example:

• Number of new independent coaching hours it will enable you to deliver
• Number of new participants that will receive coaching or officiating as a result
• Contribution it will make to your club's coaching development plan i.e. will this scholarship provide a new mentor or assistant coach for your club?
• Enhanced support to participants, coaches officials and/or volunteers e.g. training for a new Child Protection Officer or Volunteer Coordinator.
• Increased opportunities for your club to create or strengthen its links with local schools, colleges, universities or other community sport initiatives.
• The confirmed dates of the course/qualification you are booked on to or looking to book on to. 

Please complete the statement in no more than 250 words.

Do you have to gain endorsement for your application?

Yes. Each application must be countersigned by a Lead Officer - a sports development professional working for a National Governing Body of Sport or local authority. For a full list of Lead Officers please refer to the contacts section on the Sport Hampshire & IoW website - www.sporthampshireiow.co.uk. For example:

The endorsing Lead Officer is also required to complete a supporting statement outlining their reasons for supporting the application.

The Lead Officer supporting statement should cover issues such as:

• Impact on the participant pathway. How the application will increase the number of participants in this sport/activity. How it will create or enhance existing opportunities for participant development and progression.
• Local capacity building. How the scholarship contributes to local workforce development plans.
• Strength of the applicant e.g. the extent to which the club demonstrates good practice in relation to participant, club, coach and volunteer development; recognition of an individual's contribution to a sport/commitment to personal development.

Please complete the statement in no more than 250 words. If your form is submitted without the support of an appropriate Lead Officer, then it will not be assessed. If you are in doubt, please contact us at info@coachinghampshireiow.co.uk.

How often can you apply?

Individuals may receive only one award in any given financial year. Governing bodies, local authorities or co-ordinating bodies (e.g. clubs) may apply as frequently as required during a financial year as long as the recipient of the bursary is a different applicant on each occasion i.e. multiple applications from the same club will be accepted as long as the featured individual has not received money within the last financial year.

There is, however, a limit on the number of awards that can be applied for at any one time and these are as follows: -

• 6 x Level 2 coaching awards (or officiating/volunteer award equivalents)
• 4 x Level 3, 4, and 5 coaching awards (or officiating/volunteer award equivalents)

PLEASE NOTE: Exceptional circumstances and innovative projects will be considered. Where the proposed number of awards exceeds those stated above please speak to the Sport Hampshire & IOW Coaching Development Officer before submitting your application.

When are scholarships awarded?

Application forms are accepted throughout the year, but awards are made quarterly in June, September, December and March. See the funding section for precise dates.

To receive an award, proof of attendance e.g. a certificate, a register or downloadable proforma template signed by the tutor/course coordinator/ mentor will need to be provided to Sport Hampshire & IOW. On receipt of proof of attendance your award will be released.

How much can you apply for?

Awards will be made to off-set the cost of training and examination. The following conditions apply:-

• The award must be a National Governing Body or Minimum Deployment Standards award of at least a level 2 or equivalent (for coaches).
• Where an application does not involve attainment of a recognised award (e.g. mentoring) then clear evidence must be provided on the nature, duration and outcomes of the proposed programme.
• The scholarship award will be up to 75% of the total cost, to a maximum of £500 per candidate.
• Travel will be paid at the rate of £0.20 per mile or the price of a standard rail ticket, whichever is the lower cost.
• Accommodation will be reimbursed at no more than the rate of £45 per person per night.

How are applications made?

• Applications for a scholarship can only be made online.
• Applications can be initiated by an individual coach, official or volunteer or by a coordinator on behalf of one or more candidates.
• Applications must be countersigned/endorsed by a Lead Officer
• Applications must be received prior to the start date of the qualification/course. Sport Hampshire & IOW will not fund retrospective applications e.g. if a course took place two months ago, we will not consider the application as it was received after the course start date.

Once an application is received, you, the applying organisation, will be sent an email confirming receipt of your application form. If the course begins between the date of submission and the next panel meeting, your application will still be considered. However, you should note that if you proceed with a course before receiving confirmation of an award, you do so at your own risk as we cannot guarantee you will be successful at panel.

What happens if your award is successful?

• You will receive an email/letter confirming the award decision.
• You will sit the course/workshop/training event or commence your coaching qualification.
• You will provide Sport Hampshire & IOW with proof of attendance within 12 months of the funding being allocated e.g. a certificate, a register or downloadable proforma template signed by the tutor/course coordinator/ mentor.  If confirmation is not received within 12 months your funding will be re-allocated.
• On receipt of proof of attendance your award will be released.

What happens if your award is unsuccessful?

• You will receive an email confirming the award decision.
• You should speak to your Lead Officer to ascertain why your bid was unsuccessful.
• You are free to re-submit your award request at a later date.

Terms & Conditions

• Applications submitted are not guaranteed to receive funding and are at the discretion of the scholarship panel.
• As funding is not guaranteed upon receipt of applications, if you decide to enrol on/commence or complete a course before you are notified of the panel's funding decision, you do so at your own risk.

The applicant must:

1. Provide evidence of attendance or qualification gained (e.g. copy of certificates).
2. Guarantee that award recipient/s is/are committing to coach, officiate or work, on a voluntary basis, for an appropriate organisation (e.g. club, governing body or Local Authority) for a period of no less than 12 months. This period of commitment may be flexible dependent on individual circumstances
3. When applying for a coach scholarship ensure that it contributes to a continuous professional development programme governed by the club and/or the National Governing Body, based on identified skills shortages and training need.

Completing the form

1. The online form can be located by clicking on Apply Now at the top of this page.
2. For a complete list of Lead Officers please refer to the contacts section on the Sport Hampshire & IoW website - www.sporthampshireiow.co.uk
3. We must have individual details for anyone receiving scholarship funds.
4. If you feel that a particular section does not apply to you/your organisation, then please include a small note or simply write "not applicable" or "N/A". Please use "0" in the numbers sections of the form.
5. If the form is incomplete, this may delay your application, resulting in up to a 3-month delay or no funds being available at all.
6. For further assistance completing the form, please contact the Coaching Development Officer at Sport Hampshire & IOW or email info@coachinghampshireiow.co.uk.