Applied Coaching Research Journal Research Journal 5 | Page 26

APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2020, Vol. 5 #CoachMate Connectors: Kallam’s Story Rus Smith Former Senior Tutor Developer, StreetGames Introduction One of the most prominent themes in the Coaching Plan for England (Sport England, 2016) is the aspiration to diversify the coaching workforce and reduce the real and perceived barriers to learning and development. This has created an incentive to develop alternative solutions to learning that provide opportunities for those who may not have been previously encouraged to develop their potential as a coach. One such approach is the development and delivery of the #CoachMate Connectors programme supported by StreetGames. #CoachMate Connectors is aimed at supporting the development of young coaches aged 16-25 who live and coach in areas of recognised deprivation. Coaches were identified for the programme via partner projects of StreetGames which they were either part of, or signposted to, as a participant, referral or existing volunteer. 26 The #CoachMate Connectors programme evolved out of an earlier pilot developed and delivered by StreetGames in 2017 and 2018, and research published in a previous edition of this journal (Smith and Leflay, 2018). An evaluation of #CoachMate Connectors is underway and is designed to measure the impact of the programme on participating coaches. This paper presents a summary of the evaluation findings presented at the 2020 UK Coaching Applied Research Conference. It includes a case study of one participant and presents the implications for coaching, drawn from the research. Background The #CoachMate Connectors programme has engaged with over 20 coaches located across England and Wales, from 2018 to date. Most coaches on the programme were beginners, working at a community level coaching a range of sports, including Multi-sports,