Sport England is to invest £5m in sports coach UK over the next two years as part of plans to improve sports coaching in the country.

Having secured the funding, sports coach UK will now focus its work in four areas.

These include working with sports governing bodies to support development of coaches; supporting county sports partnerships to build effective local coaching networks; and increasing the supply of high-quality and appropriate coach education and development opportunities.

It will also use research to develop and share insight to support the development of coaching and coaches.

sports coach UK chair, Chris Baillieu, said: "The investment from Sport England makes a strong statement about the importance of coaching at all levels in increasing participation, retention and performance.

"During the next two years we will continue to work with our partners towards the goal of excellent coaching, every time for everyone."

Sport England director of sport, Phil Smith, added: "High-quality coaching is an integral part of a thriving sport sector.

"sports coach UK has improved the support it offers to sports organisations in recent years and we are confident that our investment will deliver real value for coaching and coaches across the country."