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New cloud-based software from Cheltenham based MA Design, Coacha, was launched on 1 March 2017. Coacha makes administration of small sports clubs and groups simpler, saves them money and improves safeguarding for their members. Coacha charges a very competitive £25 per month and, unlike other services, there is no premium for larger groups.
Since early 2016, the 150-member Gloucestershire Cheer & Dance Academy (GCA) has beta tested Coacha. As owner Sarah Watkins says, the results have been impressive:
‘Working with Coacha and using their software has been friendly, reassuring and straightforward. Coacha was clearly created so anybody could use it with minimal training. As a sports club owner, Coacha makes my life simpler and less stressful. It also improves safeguarding for our members who are under 18.’
Coacha was specifically designed to meet the administration and safeguarding needs of small sports clubs and groups. A prime objective was improved safeguarding for under 18s – particularly for built-in email communications. The cloud-based software was developed using the safeguarding guidelines produced by the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU). The guidelines are for County Sports Partnerships (CSPs), other relevant Community Sport Network partners, and Sport Unlimited.
Coacha’s developers also drew on research and development conducted in association with staff and students from Hartpury University Centre’s sports coaching team and MSc in Professional Development. Hartpury, which becomes a university in 2018, is a UK leader in sports coaching education.
Coacha is also fully responsive across desktop and mobile devices. Because Coacha streamlines club administration, organisers and coaches can save time and do admin anywhere with an internet connection. Admin costs are reduced and club personnel have more time to coach members. Coacha also makes club administration much more secure because it eliminates the need to store data on laptops or in hard-copy documents.
Speaking after the launch of Coacha, owner Chris Davis says:
‘The response since the site went live has been amazing. We’ve combined sports experience, web development skills and best safeguarding practice to create a very accessible, long overdue product. Coacha gives small sports clubs and their members a cost-effective, genuinely ‘gamechanging’ administrational tool.’
Release ID: 177300