See full story and pictures on link below.

We would like to hear your thoughts on what the programme should involve - please complete the following questionnaire to submit your ideas.

The recipient of the grant, Len Cruickshank, has just completed a golf coaching course which allows him to coach the junior section at the Kingussie Golf Club.

Len is delighted with the funding boost “This has been a terrific opportunity for Kingussie Golf Club and for the young players at the club”

He said “As a result of attending this course I hope to build up the junior membership and contribute to the success of the club. I’d like to thank Coaching Highland on behalf of Kingussie Golf Club for their support and look forward to working with them again in the future.”

Alan Hoseason, Coaching Development Officer at Coaching Highland, said: “This is an important milestone for the company and we are delighted to have reached this total. To date we have funded 2,200 coaches across the Highland region and hope to expand on this.”

“Coaches like Len are the future for sport in the Highlands and we were extremely pleased that we were able to play a role in the coaching system at Kingussie.”

Stephen Park (‘Sparky’) highlighted Richard’s dynamic approach to coaching which has inspired more sailors to enter races and take a critical look at their own sailing. Richard has also assisted the Regional Coach with the North of Scotland Sailing Squad which is a youth group of sailors who aspire to compete at a national or higher level.

As the Chanonry Club Race Coach, Richard is of course a volunteer. He is very modest about the time he gives to the sport but virtually every weekend will see him coaching or racing or supporting Jack. Richard in turn has received valuable support towards gaining his qualifications from Coaching Highland and the Ross & Cromarty Sports Council.

Badminton has been with us since 1995 and benefitted by receiving exactly 200 scholarships.

Cricket joined us in 1999 and enjoyed exactly 50 scholarships.

We wish both these sports well and we have systems in place to support them through this transition.

Two new sports have been invited to join us from 1st April 2009 but we await confirmation of their acceptance.

The first two are about the excellent Highland Coaching Conference held during November and our win at the UK Coaching Awards in December 2008.

Our own Co-ordinators are adding 'Coaching Tips' and you will find this in the members are also. We are aiming for one to be posted each month.

Basketball will benefit with over £3,000 of Coaching Highland's funding for Coach Scholarships.

In June 2008, a number of Nairn Academy Sports Leader candidates helped deliver an award to a Malawian Secondary school in Africa, where 101 candidates were successful in completing The Day Certificate in Sports Leadership (DCL). The linked partnership has created a lasting legacy for the school staff and senior pupils of Chipasula Secondary School who took part in this award and gained a number of invaluable skills and games ideas.

Coaching Highland offered support for this outstanding achievement by offering kit and funding the certificates for the 101 candidates but more importantly, gave expert advice on delivery methods and sports leadership ideas.

See link below for the full story and pictures.

The annual report shows another very successful year and can be downloaded by clicking on the link below.

A group of cyclists from Inverness College, including Coaching Highland’s own Director of Sports/Coaching Development - Dougie MacDonald - made the gruelling trip up Mount Ventoux on bicycles recently. Coaching Highland was pleased to offer funding towards Coach training and the onward success of the group in France.

Mount Ventoux is a standalone mountain in the generally flat French region of Provence and raises up to a height of 1912m, which is 565m higher than Ben Nevis.

The group of 9 cyclists, which included both college lecturers and HND students, chose the Bedoin route, listed as the most challenging, with nearly 14 miles distance and a climb of 1617m. The climb forms part of the Tour de France and as many riders continue to find out, is relentless giving no respite, averaging a 7.4% gradient (or 1:10) climb the whole way from start to finish. Dave Paulin, the group spokesperson said, “The climb was hard going but the group were all very determined to complete the challenge.”

The record for the climb stands at just under 56mins - an awesome benchmark for professional riders. The group times ranged between 2 and 6 hours and they had an amazing sense of satisfaction in completing the challenge… each deserves a medal, a yellow jersey and certainly the certificate of completion gained. Coaching Highland would like to acknowledge this feat and congratulate each of the members of the team on their success in completing their own Ventoux Challenge.

Since the trip, Dougie MacDonald and Dave Paulin have both returned on separate occasions during the holidays. In fact Dave took on his own super challenge of completing all three routes up Ventoux in a one day period and despite minor injury…succeeded, a massive well done Dave!

Dougie has since reflected on the fantastic experience of France saying that the Highlands of Scotland offers a perfect training ground which prepared their group well for Ventoux. He also suggests that if you fancy your own little Highland Challenge up Cairngorm Mountain near Aviemore, register at the Cyclelife shop and cycle up the mountain road to the Base Station on Cairngorm and you will receive a free Funicular pass and cup of Tea/Coffee at the Cas Bar.

Payments are being taken using PayPal which is a popular online payment system. The person booking however does not need a PayPal account as the system will also allow them to pay by credit or debit card.

The first course bookable online is an Emergency 1st Aid for Sport course on 6th September 2008.