By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

altSeptember 22 - Sir Clive Woodward (pictured) still has a vital role at the British Olympic Association (BOA) in the build-up to London 2012, even if his coaching programme is scrapped at the end of the year, he was reassured today.


The BOA's Board of Directors, led by chairman Colin Moynihan, received a detailed report on the British Olympic Coaching Programme, produced by Deloittee, which regularly measures the effectiveness of all BOA programmes.

Funding for the scheme is in place until the end of this year but it is unclear whether the BOA can afford to continue to bankroll it once that runs out.

"The BOA Board reaffirmed the critical role that coaching and coaching education play in the development of successful Olympic athletes, and the need for quality coaching at every level of sport," they said in a statement issued after the meeting.

The scheme has been the pet project of Sir Clive, who coached England's rugby team to World Cup victory in Australia seven years ago, since joining them in September 2006.

He gave a presentation during the meeting was not present when the Board was discussing its future.

The BOA did not make a final decision on whether to cut the programme but were determined to send a signal to Sir Clive, who earns £400,000 ($626,000) per year, that they still see him continuing to have a high-profile role in the preparations for the Olympics in London.

"Clive Woodward will continue in his primary areas of responsibility leading the BOA’s efforts in Performance Services, Sport Engagement and Athlete Engagement as the BOA prepares to support Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games," the statement said.

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