Initiates the "District Coach" initiative in the local area
The "Rural Coach" program, a new initiative aimed at promoting physical culture and sports in rural areas, has recently begun in the Zabaykalsky Krai region. Andrei Serebkin, the Minister of Physical Culture and Sports of the Zabaykalsky Krai, is spearheading this effort.
The program is currently in a pilot phase, with 28 regions—including border areas—receiving subsidies. From 2026, all constituent entities of Russia, including newly integrated territories, are expected to participate in the program.
Coaches and specialists relocating to rural areas, the Far East, or new regions will receive an increased payment of 2 million rubles, while those moving to other parts of the country will receive 1 million rubles. This payment is part of an effort to attract more qualified professionals to rural areas, where there is a shortage of sports coaches and specialists.
The selection process for rural coaches in the Far East is expected to begin in September, according to Andrei Serebkin. The precise staffing needs are still being verified, with the program gathering reliable data on the shortage of qualified sports coaches and specialists in rural areas.
The Ministry of Economic Development, along with relevant agencies, plans to integrate data collection into the federal statistical monitoring system, improving transparency and informed staffing decisions. This suggests that the selection process will be linked to this updated data and program guidelines.
The "Rural Coach" program is part of a larger initiative aimed at increasing sports participation in rural Russia. According to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, the goal is to increase the rural sports coach supply and sports participation rates from 52% to at least 70% by 2030.
The quota for rural coaches in the Far East subjects for 2025 is limited to 3 people. Despite this, the payment for rural coaches in the Far East is significantly higher than the national average, being twice the national average at 2 million rubles.
VGTRK, a media outlet, reported on the commencement of the "Rural Coach" program. Andrei Serebkin himself reported on the program's launch on VGTRK.
As the program continues to expand and improve data-driven staffing mechanisms, it is expected to make a significant impact on rural sports participation rates in the coming years.
[1] Source: Government meeting reports, President Vladimir Putin's instructions, and VGTRK news reports.
- As part of the larger initiative to enhance sports participation in rural Russia, the "Rural Coach" program focuses on both education-and-self-development and sports, aiming to increase the rural sports coach supply and promote sports culture in under-resourced regions.
- In an effort to attract more qualified professionals to rural areas, the "Rural Coach" program provides coaches and specialists relocating to these regions with an increased payment of up to 2 million rubles, fostering growth and development opportunities in these communities.
