Hertfordshire athletics coach receives SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens Bursary

Lee Rowberry - SkillsActive, 10/06/09

Malcolm – who has more than 10 years coaching experience – beat 57 applicants from around the country to receive one of six SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens bursaries, awarded annually to paid and un-paid individuals working within the sport, fitness, playwork, outdoors and caravan sectors. The bursaries are designed to help individuals improve their skills through an innovative training programme outside the scope of regular training.

In line with the bursary guidelines, Malcolm has created his own training experience in Germany to meet his learning and development needs. He plans to travel to Potsdam, Berlin in July to take part in a national training camp run by discus world record holder and German national coach, Jurgen Schult. During his two-week tenure, Malcolm will work alongside Schult and top athletes from around the world, gaining an insight into expert coaching methods.

“Not since Geoff Capes and Steve Backley has the UK had much success in throwing at the Olympics and we could put this down to the fact that our coaching and training methods aren’t as good as they could be,” Malcolm says.

“Whilst we have a number of very good coaches in the UK, such as Geoff Capes and Nigel Bevan, I believe that it’s important that we look outside our own country to find out how the best throwers in the world achieve their success. The Germans are great throwers and are athletes first and throwers second. They’re athletic in their physique because they don’t just do weights and throw – they run and do drills and speed work on the track.

“Going over to Germany will enable me to compare our coaching methods and put together a package that will enable me to support my athletes and ensure they achieve the success they desire at international level. I’ll also be able to impart this knowledge to other throw coaches, so that we have a real chance of growing our success as a nation.”

Malcolm is currently working with about 10 junior discus throwers – mainly women – in Wales and across England. All of his athletes are ranked in the top five in the UK and train up to 10 hours a week, five days a week.

“There are a number of very good throwers coming through the UK system, so now it’s just a case of developing them even further. Throwers don’t usually compete at the Olympics until they’re about 25 years old, but I believe many of my athletes have the potential to reach the highest level.

“I feel very fortunate to have received support from SkillsActive and the Nancy Ovens Trust. It’s nice to be able to do that little bit extra training so I can develop my skills and really give something to the sport.”

SkillsActive – the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning – and the Nancy Ovens Trust developed the SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens bursary in 2006 to enable individuals to take advantage of the wealth of potential learning opportunities within the active leisure and learning sector – both in the UK and abroad.

SkillsActive group chief executive Stephen Studd says: “SkillsActive is committed to improving the skills of individuals working in our sector, so is delighted to be able to offer Malcolm a personal development bursary in partnership with the Nancy Ovens Trust.

“We hope that with our support, Malcolm will be able to go out to Germany and bring back new and improved skills which he can implement and use within his current role or future roles in the sector.”

For media enquiries, or for more information on Malcolm Wallace, please contact Lee Rowberry from SkillsActive’s media team on: 020 7632 2025 or email lee.rowberry@skillsActive.com. For more information on the SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens Bursary, please contact Miriam Farley on: 020 7632 2918 or email Miriam.farley@SkillsActive.com.