Mini BICCS Female Sports Coaching 

The Women-only Mini-BICCS (Birmingham Inner-City Sports Coaching Programme) was funded through a partnership of Agender, Sports Pathways, Sporting Equals and PPDG. 

The unique six-month course aimed to employ 15 women and provide them with accredited training and work experience in sports and fitness coaching. The highly motivated group, from areas including Aston, Lozells, Handsworth, Saltley, Bartley Green, Wyrley Birch, Newtown and Hockley, were selected from more than 40 applicants and many are lone parents who have been unemployed for several years.  

The course commenced in November 2006 and the women completed courses focusing on improving their performance and equipping them with three National Governing Body Awards in specific sports. 

Placements at a range of sporting venues and projects across Birmingham commenced in January. Beneficiaries worked alongside qualified and competent staff to gain valuable work experience.

Participants began their YMCA qualification in February, which enables them to work as personal trainers and fitness instructors and significantly increases employability. Over half the group passed this difficult course first time.  

The course finished in May 2007, with a celebratory final event on 15th June. The participants were treated to a reception at the Community Integration Partnership offices in Edgbaston, which included a keynote speech and presentation of certificates from Commonwealth medal winning high-jumper Julie Crane.  

PPDG are completing an evaluation and looking at how the course can be developed and delivered in the future. Participants felt it was an excellent opportunity to gain recognised qualifications and valued the level of support they received.  

Some of the participants are now in work, and several hope to start their own business as self-employed fitness instructors. Sports Pathways allocated £30k to the next course and PPDG are currently sourcing other funding.

For further information please contact Vernice Jeffers

Read what the Birmingham Mail has to say on the 14th June 2007