SPORTS coaching across West Yorkshire will be developed by a new coach development officer for the region.

Shanwaz Ajaib is among 15 new coaches appointed with a £4m government grant.

A further 15 coaches will be appointed by April next year as part of a new scheme to tackle the shortage of paid and voluntary coaches nationwide.

Shanwaz, 35, will be based in Halifax, but will work across Kirklees and Calderdale.

He said: "I am looking forward to involving people in coaching from a variety of backgrounds and particularly those not normally involved."

All coach development officers (CDOs) will be employed and managed centrally by Sports Coach UK, which will develop how best to serve the needs of local sporting communities.

Nigel Harrison, West Yorkshire Sport manager, said: "The new CDO appointment will provide a huge boost to the development of coaches throughout West Yorkshire."