The OSA in partnership with the Abilities Centre, Whitby were recently awarded funding through the Royal Bank of Canada Learn To Play Project. Funding will see four Coach Education courses offered province-wide as well as three 'Come and Try' sessions offered to local communities in the Durham Region.
The Coach Education courses are particularly exciting as they will enable candidates to receive official recognition for their attendance and empower them to launch and develop accessible programs in their own communities with special needs athletes.
The course, endorsed by the Canadian Soccer Association and delivered by staff of the Football Association, England will be the first time a course of this kind has been offered in Canada.
A mix of classroom and practical content will enable candidates to understand the needs of special needs athletes and provide excellent resources that can be used in a local Club environment.
"The course has been offered in the U.K. for over ten years now with really positive responses from community level coaches in England and Scotland so with the growing appetite for Club programs here in Ontario this is the perfect time to provide further education," Club Development Manager at the OSA, Matt Greenwood said.
The course is open to Club Coaches who are already leading programs for special needs athletes or have plans to do so in 2015.
Course Dates and Locations:
Further details are available by contacting Matt Greenwood