SEVEN local sports coaches have received financial support from Okehampton United Charities to complete a mammoth journey started over two years ago to gain their coaching qualifications.

Tom Aylen, Mia Fallon-Clarke, Henry Cooper, Claire Squire, Andy Rutley, Roger Cunningham and David Rickwood of Okehampton Otters Swimming Club have all been working toward their Level 2 Swimming coaching badges since September 2009.

The seven coaches have had to put in more than 100 hours of course work and poolside study in addition to weekly coaching of swimming sessions.

The Okehampton United Charities have donated £2,250 to assist with the cost of the training, which costs over £8,000 in total. Karen Percival and Christine Marsh from the OUC presented the Otters with a cheque on November 18.

David Rickwood, a fundraiser for the Okehampton Otters, said: 'The total cost of the training has been in excess of £8,000 and without the support of Okehampton United Charities, who have been immensely generous, it just would not be possible to fund the training.

'Without training and recruiting new coaches, the club would run the risk of reducing pool hours and perhaps even closure as constantly relying on one or two individuals for every session is challenging.'

Henry Cooper, one of the seven coaches to have earned his Level 2, said: 'We have all learned a lot from the course, including child protection, safety, and of course the technical skills to coach young swimmers.

'The more you learn about swimming, you realise the less you know. It's not until you watch training videos of world class swimmers such as Liam Tancock that you see how much dedication and training is needed to swim a stroke well.'

Robert Ewen, chairman of the Otters, explained the unflinching dedication needed to earn the Level 2 qualification: 'The commitment of the seven new coaches to get through both courses is immense.

'Without such dedication the running of the club would be impossible. As with all amateur sports there is a requirement for coaches to continually develop and fine tune their skills.

'It's not as simple as just having a willing helper. It's a legal requirement to make sure there is always a Level 2 coach on poolside at any session.'