League helps coach win permanent post!

Mickleover Sports physio and coach Dave Hoole can thank the EVO-STIK League’s successful Coaching Development Fund for helping him to win a full-time post at Chesterfield’s academy.

The 43-year-old started work with the League One club’s U14s last month after taking advantage of the EVO-STIK League’s ongoing bursary scheme for coaches which is part-funded by the Football Association.

Fifty per cent of the costs to earn FA and UEFA coaching badges are covered for candidates who have up to three years to complete the courses at a variety of venues and Hoole is following in the footsteps of Sports manager Glenn Kirkwood who was successfully supported by the funding initiative last season.

Hoole, who has been at the First Division South club for three seasons before earning his Spireites move, is pictured being presented with a bursary cheque towards the cost of his UEFA B course by the EVO-STIK League’s development officer Mark Ogley at Station Road.

Sports secretary Tony Shaw said: "I think it is a brilliant scheme to help the league’s coaches progress in their careers and raise standards. Look at what it has done for Dave in helping him to start working full-time in football.

"Chesterfield will certainly benefit but so will we as Dave will still be around when possible to passing on his skills and knowledge. Our club has benefited from the scheme with both Dave and Glenn securing funding and I think we’re a great example for other clubs to do the same."

The scheme is also open to coaches who’ve already booked or started courses like Hoole and Olgey, who administers it, said: "The scheme is open to all the league's coaches to help them and their clubs develop and I was delighted to hand over the cheque to Dave. His success is a perfect example of what the scheme is there for and I’m looking forward to seeing many more of our coaches and their clubs benefit this season."

Stourbridge’s former Kidderminster Harriers coach Steve Fellows became the first coach to benefit from the EVO-STIK League’s bursary scheme this season in September when he was presented by Ogley with a cheque for £300 towards the cost of earning his UEFA B badge.

More information on the FA Level 2 courses can be accessed through local County FAs with information also on available on the FA Learning website. For further information about the EVO-STIK League's scheme, club secretaries should contact Mark Ogley via email at: ogsshae@hotmail.com.

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