Ennis mentor among coaches set to benefit from special London 2012 base

By Tom Degun

July 7 - Many of Britain's most prominent coaches, including heptathlon star Jessica Ennis' mentor Toni Minichiello, will come together to share their knowledge and expertise at the Global Coaches House, hosted by the London Campus of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, during the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

The base (pictured above) is designed for all coaches to attend during London 2012 and is operational for the duration of the Olympics, from July 27 to August 12, and will also be open for a short period during the Paralympics from September 3 until 6 at Eversheds in London.

The project was commissioned by Leeds Metropolitan University in partnership with the International Council for Coach Education (ICCE).

Limkokwing University is an international educational institute with campuses in nine countries across the world. 

The Global Coaches House in Piccadilly will place emphasis is on performance development and high performance as well as providing a platform for networking and sharing knowledge and skills.

"Global Coaches House will be a brilliant base for coaches of all sports and backgrounds to visit during the Games," said Minichiello (pictured below, right), who will be hoping to steer Ennis (pictured below, left) to Olympic gold at London 2012.

"It will provide them with the opportunity to learn, relax and connect with other coaches during what will be a very intense and exciting time.

"With all eyes on the athletes and the sports stars during the Olympics, the Global Coaches House can be used as both a haven and a place for development for the coaches who have and continue to work tirelessly with their athletes all year round across the globe in a bid for those magic moments of success."


A typical day at the Global Coaches House will involve coaching sessions and master classes with high-level key note speakers.

Confirmed speakers so far include Dean Benton, who works as athletic performance director for the Canberra-based Super 15 rugby franchise the Brumbies, Bill Sweetenham, who has served as the head coach of national swimming teams at five Olympic Games for three different countries, including Britain, and Gareth Davies, the former international rugby player and Dean of Leeds Metropolitan's Carnegie faculty.

"I am delighted to be part of the Global Coaches House," said Davies.

"The House will provide an important opportunity for learning, networking and the bringing together of coaches from around the world.

"This project also highlights the value of partnership working and Leeds Metropolitan University is very proud to work in partnership with the ICCE and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology to stage this event during both the London Olympic and Paralympic Games."

There will be special event days, including a day dedicated to rugby coaching and another to 'winning women' in coaching.

Alongside its programme, which is free to coaches, the Global Coaches House will run a "Games Ready" programme for international performance coaches who are preparing for a future Olympic or major high profile event coaching role.

The "Games Ready" programme costs £100 ($155/€126) per five-day cycle. 

Click here for location details and other information about the Global Coaches House. 

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