FORMER Olympic javelin thrower and renowned motivational author, Steve Backley OBE, will be the keynote speaker at the Borders Sports and Leisure Scottish Borders Coaching Conference to be held on September 30 at Borders College Campus in Galashiels.
Aimed at coaches, teachers and volunteers, the one-day event features a morning seminar and question-and-answer session with Steve Backley, followed by expert-led workshops across different sporting disciplines including athletics, badminton, cricket, cycling, football, hockey, rugby, swimming and tennis.
Ewan Jackson, chief executive of Borders Sport and Leisure, said: “We feel very fortunate to have secured Steve Backley as this year’s main speaker and believe his insights into achieving a winning mentality could help coaches across the Borders to inspire and get the very best from young athletes.”
Backley had a glittering career as sportsman, winning two silver and one bronze Olympic medals, and has gone on to become one of the country’s most sought-after sports motivational speakers and a highly successful author.
He will be joined at the conference by leading coaches from across the country who will host the various workshop sessions, including Tom Hanlon, who represented Britain in the steeplechase at the Olympic Games in Barcelona, former Hearts Football Club manager John Robertson and rugby ace Chris Paterson.
Mr Jackson continued: “In 2011 more than 100 delegates attended the conference and we hope that we will be able to attract even more participants this time.”
Full details on the Borders Sport and Leisure Scottish Borders Coaching Conference can be found at www.bslt.org.uk and www.sportborders.com