The government has today given the go ahead for a National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure.

Led by employers in the sport and leisure sector, the academy aims to improve the standards of every aspect of coaching across England.

Opening later this year, the academy will be coordinated by SkillsActive and has a target of training 85,000 new entrants, existing staff and volunteers each year by 2013.

David Lammy, minister for skills, said: “For the UK to perform at its best in 2012, we need to make a sustained investment in coaching skills, giving our athletes the very best support and training to help them win.

“However, it’s not just about winning Olympic medals. I want to ensure that every young sportsperson, at every level of competition, is given have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

“This new skills academy for the sports and leisure industry will ensure world class training throughout the nation.”

The skills academy will operate via nine regional hubs in England as well as an innovative website where people can access the academy virtually.

The location of three hubs has already been selected – Crystal Palace in London, Sheffield United FC and COMET (Centre for Outdoor Management, Education and Training) in Penrith – based on employer demand and pledged investment.

London will also act as the national base where the skills academy board will manage the setting up, governance and operation of the skills academy including endorsing all the products and services offered.

So far, over £6m of capital investment has been raised to open a network of centres of excellence across the country. Phase 1, the sport, fitness and outdoor sub-sectors, launches later this year and phase 2, the playwork and caravan sub-sectors, rolls out in 2009.

Stephen Studd, chief executive at SkillsActive said: “By the end of the year, there will be radical changes to the way industry employers access training for their workforce. The skills academy will mark the end of fragmented training – it will be highly personalised and prioritised to address our industry’s most pressing skills issues at levels 1 to 4.”

Minister for sport, Gerry Sutcliffe, said: "The launch of a National Skills Academy in sport and active leisure is a major step forward for an industry that will go from strength to strength as we approach London 2012.

“There has never been a better time to get involved in sport, and the NSA will ensure that our sports administrators, coaches and volunteers get the best learning and support possible whether working in community or elite sport."