The Ospreys Coach Development team have received a huge thumbs up from a national awarding body, which has declared that they are "again setting the example of Best Practice in Wales".
1st4sport Qualifications is an awarding body recognised and regulated by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual). After its annual review of operations at the region's Llandarcy Academy of Sport HQ, the Ospreys have come through with flying colours and are now regarded by 1st4sport's external verifier as the best delivery site in Wales, as well as the best administered centre.
The review took a look at the Coach Development Team's operational systems, policies and procedures, customer service and administration, with the formal report stating that 'The Centre is the best example of good practice in Wales and is a credit to the work of the Administrator'.
Jason Lewis, WRU Ospreys Community Development Manager, said:
"The results of our latest EV visit are impressive. We strive to deliver coach education to the highest possible standard and this has been acknowledged by 1st4sport. Credit must be given to Dan Owens who manages the programme. His attention to detail and hard work have made our programme what it is. We will not be resting on our laurels and will continue to look for better ways to deliver and manage our coach education programme. We have plans in place for next season, that if successful should allow us to build on our current successes.
"The EV report shows that our coach education programmes are high quality from start to finish. The actual courses are run and delivered to a very high standard and this is supported by high quality and robust quality assurance procedures. The EV has acknowledged the rigorous way we deliver and assess our courses, which means coaches attending know they will get a high quality learning environment with honest, fair and quality assured assessment."
Andrew Hore, Elite Performance Director at the Ospreys, added:
"This is excellent news for everybody involved with Ospreys rugby, and Jason Lewis and his Coach Development Officers Dan Owens and Tony Thomas should be congratulated for their excellent work which has been recognised by 1st4sport's external verifier. To be able to say that Ospreys Rugby is leading the way as the best delivery site for coach development in Wales is an outstanding achievement which we are rightly proud of.
"We have made no secret of the fact that we consider coach development one of the most important parts of the development pathway, as better coaches equals better players. In addition to this, by developing from within, we want to raise both the number and quality of coaches operating in Ospreylia, which is why we have committed so much time and effort into developing a programme of events that offers opportunities to everybody in the region, be they experienced coaches or someone taking their very first steps on the ladder.
"One thing that can be guaranteed is that whoever you are, the coaching development opportunities offered by the Ospreys will be the best in Wales."
1st4sport Qualifications is the official awarding body for some of the UK's most prestigious sporting organisations, including the Football Association, British Cycling, the Welsh Rugby Union, the Rugby Football Union, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Rugby Football League, the Lawn Tennis Association and England Hockey.