Gary Laybourne Email & Phone Number

London And Uk

Shaping and delivering the pilot project of Coach Core on behalf of the The Royal Foundation (2012-2015), I have had the privilege of devising a strategy and overseeing the expansion (2016-2019) of this innovative apprenticeship programme to now becoming a stand alone charity.Working with key National Governing Organisations and major funders, we have been successful in our quest to activate 15 Coach Core networks around the UK impacting nearly 600 apprentices, 150 employers and 1000's of participants in the communities that need the provision most. We bridge young people back into education/employment and then utilise a bespoke model that focuses on personal development and mentoring as much as it does on professional development and education. By placing the power and responsibility with our education and employer partners we are creating groups of local networks that truly own and shape the programme around their needs and that of the community too. Whilst using coaching as the primary vehicle, we proactively train our apprentices in a multitude of skills and qualifications by having networks combine and collaborate throughout. This leads to our true goal; full time education and employment for the apprentices that is right for them and this is why our success rates across the 8 years are so high.Learning and utilising a range of skills throughout this time means I have gained extensive project management skills, financial management and an intricate knowledge of the sports apprenticeship landscape to combine with my already strong sports development sector experience. I pride myself on my ability to communicate and engage with people regardless if that is in the boardroom, the Royal Household, with a group of coaches or on a council estate football pitch with a group of young people! Most importantly is my passion for the sector burns ever stronger and my desire to improve the lives of others using sport and physical activity as the catalyst to do that.

Working with UKA and industry peers to support the implementation of the UK Athletics strategy to create fun, inclusive and life long relationships with our wonderful sport, particularly for children and those who support them along the way.

Coulsdon, Greater London

Working with adults and juniors alike throughout our athletics and triathlon programmes.Leading mainly on the triathlon side of things, I have led weekly training sessions and co-ordinated key coaching events for the club over the years and now proudly hold the title of Head Coach of the triathlon club. This entails overseeing the development of coaches and coaching offers to our members within the tri club in the hope my coaching and competition experiences can assist others.We work with some of the UK's most talented junior and adult age group athletes but this role is focussed more on the participation and community outreach audience and critically keeps me grounded and connected to my coaching roots!

London Based But Project Is Nationwide

Since helping plant and grow the seed of Coach Core via leading the pilot programme in 2012, I now oversee the strategy, development and implementation of our exciting and innovative apprenticeship programme across the UK on behalf of the Royal Foundation. Seen as the industry lead for Level 2 community sports/physical activity coaching, we provide UK NEET's with an exciting, innovative and truly meaningful bridge back into education and employment thus in turn creating the next generation of employees, coaches and community role models.Since our pilot projects in 2012 to 2015, we have sought to give meaningful change and intervention to 16-24s from challenging communities whilst also improving the coaching provision, frequency and quality in each location. Our goal is to ensure each apprentice has the mentoring and support they need to take them into further education and employment whilst also creating life long relationships with sports coaching and community work.I then led the project through its expansion phase (2016-2018) engaging and connecting over 150 employers, CSPs and governance organisations in our 10 UK sites to ensure the success of this incredible project affected more young people, employers and communities than ever before.Successfully obtaining £1m Sport England funding in Sep 2018, we now embark on our next 3 year phase whereby we will curate and grow the programme even further, bringing Coach Core to at least 23 cities/areas by 2022. Coach Core is owned by the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry's. Views and posts may not reflect my employers.

London, United Kingdom

Continuing to advise and oversee the development of the Coach Core programme that I led via the initial pilot programme with Greenhouse in 2012.This entailed continual review of operating policy, strategic decision making, helping navigate educational and apprenticeship reform and providing a voice of experience, not just from the programme directly but also from wider sector. It was a true privilege to sit on a board with forward thinking, sector disruptive and learner centered individuals who all wished to bring about change via this unique project! I also performed site visits at the other pilot programmes in Glasgow and Wales during this time as well as attend key events and meetings that ultimately determined the expansion plan for Coach Core from early 2016. I was privileged to be asked to lead this scaling project full time and accepted without hesitation knowing that the potential to grow and shape Coach Core for even more cities and communities to benefit was a rare and exciting opportunity I simply could not miss!

Nationwide

Taking time away from the coaching/sports development sector, I wanted to challenge myself and my development in a very different field but also retain my passion for coaching, developing and upskilling otherss. Working for the UKs largest cycle retailer, I was privileged to lead a team of fantastic trainers as we helped the development and advancement of colleagues nationwide in ways not seen in the business before.By providing an overarching training infrastructure and new starter package not in place when I joined, I was able to lay the foundations for current and future employees to be able to join and progress quickly, effectively and with consistency.I also oversaw the launch of several key initiatives that brought internal departments and external brands closer to the colleagues in store plus provide an overhaul of management training much more reflective of the business and the individuals requirements in their role. This included reintroducing and enhancing the annual-internal expo day, setting up regional product demonstrations and creating store champions that would take training methodology and product information back to their own stores.I especially loved the passion and attitude the company had towards cycling that obviously matched my own so it was a case of harnessing that to ensure we all kept the customer and cycling as a whole at the centre of our plans.A simply amazing two years that I loved from start to finish!

London

A dual role with this inspiring and impactful sports charity, I was able to further my knowledge and influence to develop the coaching workforce whilst also creating the 'Coach Core' project. An overview of my role included:* Overseeing the management of an innovative and exciting new apprenticeship in partnership with The Royal Foundation that engages young people at risk of becoming NEETS. 'Coach Core' gave places of employment for 12mths but then really looked to provide intense mentoring and education for the 'future coach' that would help them develop but also enhance the quality of coaching in challenging areas;* Staff development and training of sports coaches from the elite to the novice using systems and processes I have created and/or implemented to ensure a high quality, progressive and challenged work force;* Project management of training events and ultimately responsible for their creation, planning, execution and evaluation;* Still actively delivering high quality tutoring or coaching work and being a mentor to new coaches.

West Sussex, United Kingdom, United Kingdom

Working mainly with the U10/U11 teams, I would coach and manage their development weekly as well as be a key individual in the overarching operations of this Sussex development centre.I would support individuals and teams to Academy trials and tournaments, eventually also assisting some of the CAFC academy operations too.

From a private sports coaching start up, I was tasked with expanding the business portfolio across Surrey and Sussex whilst also retaining a senior coach role. In those 3 years ,Bringing together my coaching experience as well as my professional development to date, I managed to attract substantial contracts in multiple locations that allowed the firm to increase its business reach by over a third. I also oversaw the first training and development strategy for the coaching workforce and helped influence the marketing reach by utilising my media experience too.A truly positive experience and one that really allowed me to make the transition from a full time coach to a coach manager with real business implications.

Wimbledon, Greater London

Working mainly with the U7 and U8 age groups, I led evening and weekend coaching sessions on behalf of the club at 2 sites in the area.After volunteering for many years throughout University and with local football teams, it was so exciting to put this experience and qualifications to good use at a really exciting time for the club as it extended its outreach work to the community. I quickly gained a reputation as a fun and engaging coach and loved my time working with youngsters of all ages and abilities throughout this time!

Utilising the media element of my degree, I was keen to learn more about the corporate and advertising side of sport and physical activity. Working quickly to become the key account holder of major contracts such as Unilever, Adidas and Disney, I also established a number of new partnerships for the business and learnt a great deal about the marketing and business side of industry.