Essex Coach Core

What is Coach Core?

Coach Core works with 16-24 year olds who are not in education or employment to deliver an inclusive and impactful sports coaching apprenticeship that develops the talents of young people and provides them with a range of vital skills for sport, work and life. Since 2016, Active Essex and Coach Core have worked with 19 different employers, and helped 75 young people start their careers, delivering an estimated 88,000 coaching sessions to over 1 million participants. Apprenticeships are a great way to support your organisation ambitions and growth. This will be Active Essex’s’ 6^th Year being part of the programme, and across Essex, we want to work with organisations who are trusted in their community, working with young people or able to support a young person in giving them the best opportunity to having a career in sports and physical activity.

Lead contact for Essex Coach Core
Phil West
phil.west@coachcore.org.uk

Hi everyone, my name Is Phil West and I lead the programmes for Coach Core across the south and including Essex. I am delighted to say that we are re launching again in September 2025 and have 14 part funded apprenticeship places for great employers in the sports sector across Essex. I am really privileged to work with two amazing partners, Active Essex who run the programme along side us and Lifetime training who provide a great Learning Coach. My background is sporting coaching, where I went from a casual cricket coach at my local club at 16 to running one of the UK’s biggest sports coaching franchises by the age of 27. I have stepped away now from the day to day operations of that role but I still very close to the ground with coaching locally in my business. In my role at Coach Core now I am passionate about sport being a career that should be encouraged, celebrated and pushed to our school & college leavers. Whether you’re a parent, a young person looking for work or an employer, please reach out to me or my team and we will talk you through the incredible Coach Core model.

Testimonials from Essex Coach Core apprentices

“I think that the best bit about doing a Coach Core apprenticeship is being part of a team! It’s really great and all the people I work with are positive and decent people. As we work in some tough places, there is always drama going on, but we try to remain calm and be helpful to everyone. I would definitely suggest doing this apprenticeship if that’s what you want, because I have honestly had the best time. It’s gone so quick and I’ve learned so much that I haven’t really had time to think about all the hard work.”

 

“Any young person wanting to get involved, should! It has helped me improve my confidence, my knowledge, and my skill set. My employer has supported me with further coaching courses and offered me additional opportunities. Sport is very diverse and can offer a wide range of activities that you can get into. I’m finally really excited for my future.”