1195 coaches to receive wage cubsidy this year

01.02.2016 | 14:08

In 2016, 1195 coaches who have acquired a higher professional level and who train more than 37,000 children and young people in 369 organisations will receive wage subsidy from the state. 3,967,029 euros is allocated for the wage subsidy in total. Football, athletics, basketball, swimming and gymnastics coaches received the most subsidies, because these fields have the highest number of children and young people training groups. The Foundation of Sports Education and Information processed the coaches’ applications for wage subsidy.

In 2016, 1195 coaches who have acquired a higher professional level and who train more than 37,000 children and young people in 369 organisations will receive the wage subsidy from the state. 3,967,029 euros is allocated for the wage subsidy in total. Football, athletics, basketball, swimming and gymnastics coaches received the most subsidies, because these fields have the highest number of children and young people training groups. The Foundation of Sports Education and Information processed the coaches’ applications for wage subsidy.


According to Indrek Saar, the Minister of Culture, the coaches’ increased salary fund enabled to offer an extra 6000 young people the possibilities to train with coaches, who have acquired professional level 5 or higher, and to provide social guarantees to an additional few hundred coaches compared to last year. „Two years ago, most of the youth coaches did not have a permanent employment contract or social guarantees, but now we have 1195 coaches with a steady income, providing more than 37,000 young people the possibility to develop their sports skills. The Ministry of Culture was on the right track when working on increasing the coaches’ salary fund by more than 13%, because this is the only way to guarantee income for additional coaches without reducing the salary of certified coaches,” said Saar.

Toomas Tõnise, manager of the Foundation of Sports Education and Information, says that the coaches’ wage subsidy implemented in 2015 has benefited coaches, sports clubs, sports schools and sports federations. „The most important aspect is that we ensured social guarantees for the coaches, but it should also be acknowledged that the subsidy has increased the operational capacity of sports schools and sports clubs and strengthened their obligations and motivation to keep their affairs in order. Otherwise they will not qualify for the subsidy,” he said. Tõnise added that in 2016, the Foundation of Sports Education and Information is planning to evaluate how the subsidy influences sports clubs and sports schools.

The full subsidy will be 390 euros per month and this is granted to 433 coaches, who work full time or give 24 lessons a week. In total, coaches in 55 fields will receive the wage subsidy. The coaches’ subsidy will be paid to sports clubs, sports schools and sports federations by 20 January 2016.

 

Background:

In 2012–2014, the Ministry of Culture, Estonian Tax and Customs Board and Foundation of Sports Education and Information carried out two studies about the employment of coaches. These studies indicated that more than 60% of coaches working in sports clubs are unpaid or they receive grants and compensations exempted from tax. The government’s Action Programme for 2014–2015 declared the proper compensation of coaches, who work with children and young people, as one of the essential strands in sports. The coaches’ wage subsidy implemented in 2015 ensures that almost all of the 1200 coaches working with children and the young receive social guarantees in 2016.

 

More information:

 

Margus Klaan
Adviser
Sports Department
Phone: 628 2328
Email: [email protected]

Toomas Tõnise
Board Member
Foundation of Sports Education and Information
Phone: 5012 265
Email: [email protected]
 

Aneth Rosen

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