More than 330 Rugby League coaches across the North West have either completed or are undertaking the ‘bridging’ process between the old Rugby League Coaching Awards and the new UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) Level Two as the sport continues to make dramatic improvements to its coaching standards nationally.

Approximately 31 per cent of the area’s existing modified, club and senior coaches will have made the switch by the end of June 2009.

60 Coaches have completed and successfully passed their bridging course across the country with 237 Coaches registered to bridge in Yorkshire, whilst it is expected that 50 coaches in London will be registered to bridge before March 2009

The encouraging figures come after some tremendous work from the region’s Club and Coach Development Officers (CCDOs). They identified 670 active coaches across the North West and are now attempting to ‘bridge’ each individual to the UKCC Level Two award.

Dave Johnson, the RFL’s North West Coach Development Manager, said: “The implementation of the UKCC qualifications in Rugby League is a necessary step to improve standards of coaching within the game.

“As well as bringing our standards in line with other high-profile sports, the improvements in coaching will lead to improvements in playing standards, producing high quality future players for the UK’s national squads.”

The RFL and the National Sports Foundation have managed to reduce the cost of the ‘bridging’ process from £100 to £50 until December 2008, making the scheme even more attractive for Rugby League’s current coaches.

Coupled with a programme designed by the RFL’s coaching department to maximise tutor support, time and input for those making the switch, it’s easy to see why there has already been such a large uptake.

Mr Johnson added: “The pro-active nature of the region’s CCDOs, who regularly contact clubs and coaches to drive the process forward, has been a major factor behind the success we have seen so far.

“Their efforts are then backed up by the hard work of the support staff within the RFL’s coaching department, who are quick to register courses and provide assistance and guidance for individuals throughout the process.

“The third point to stress is the importance of the funding agreement between the RFL and the National Sports Foundation, but none of these things would have any impact without the commitment of the region’s clubs and coaching workforce to up-skill and improve their standards.

“Their drive and determination to be the best they can be is the real success story behind these figures.”

For coaches wondering what the new qualification entails, the region’s CCDOs who are supported by Sport England funding will start by explaining the information needed to ‘bridge’ the knowledge gap between the old award and the UKCC qualification.

Candidates will then complete theory and practical exams while being assessed by an independent member of the CCDO group.

Following the candidate’s successful completion of the course requirements, they will then be issued with the new UKCC qualification, which is valid for three years.