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New coaching framework up and running around Australia
Level 1 Beginning Coach
Athletics Coach Acccreditation Framework
On May 1-2, 2010, Athletics Australia together with the Australian
Sports Commission launched the new Level 1 Beginning Coach program.
Forty-five of the key presenters and assessors from each of the
states attended the two-day workshop in Canberra, which explained
the rationale behind the total framework and the underpinning
skills and competencies of the beginning coach. The workshop
included the piloting of the practical activities and assessment
tasks that are delivered as part of the program.
The design of the Beginning Coach program is based on the
following:
1. To develop the coach’s skills and understanding of the
fundamental movements that underpin the events of track and field,
specifically: running, jumping and throwing.
The Beginning Coach program systematically teaches the basic
movements relevant to our sport so that the coach is competent in
these skills before they progress to the sport-specific and
technical skills. For example, understanding the principles of
take-off and landing before teaching long jump.
2. To develop general coaching skills in communication and
instruction, safety, organisation and the management of groups to
ensure maximum participation in engaging activities.
The Beginning Coach program will enhance the skills of coaches to
be able to coach large groups of beginners (often children) in
games-based activities that are inclusive, safe, fun and involve
maximum participation.
3. To identify the long-term development needs of the participant
by promoting early diversification in a range of physical
activities.
4. To be accessible and appealing to the first time coach as the
entry point to accreditation and ensure the coach is equipped with
the skills and competence to assist more senior coaches at club,
centre and school level.
5. To practically assess the coach’s capacity
to plan, manage and instruct athletics-related activity.
Typically the Beginning Coach will assist club, Event and junior
coaches with club, squad and school-level athletes. They would
not normally be responsible for their own squad of
athletes, rather they would assist more senior coaches and in doing
so, learn from those more experienced coaches.
As its name suggests, the Beginning Coach is focused on beginning
coaching skills, with a particular focus on managing large groups
of often young participants involved in the sport for the first
time. The fundamental skill of the coach at this level must be to
provide a positive environment that encourages the participant to
come back next week!
The broader Athletics Coach Accreditation Framework will encourage
Beginning Coaches to continue on the accreditation pathway and
develop the skills to be responsible for their own squads of
athletes, if they choose to do so.
Once a coach has completed the Beginning Coach program, they have
the option to continue their education by undertaking Level 2
programs in:
- Club Coach – working across the disciplines with athletes in clubs and schools, competing in local to state level competition.
- Event Group Coach – working in an event group area with athletes in clubs and schools, competing in local to state level competition.
- Junior Coach – working with athletes under the age of 12.
The content that has been part of the current
Level I and II is largely incorporated into the Club and Event
Group Coach programs as described above at what will be the
new levels 2 and 3.
Alignment examples:
- The current Level I coach, in the new framework, will be recognised as a Level 2 Club Coach.
- The current Level II Jumps coach will be recognised as a Level 3 Advanced Event Coach – Jumps.
The Level 2 Junior Coach will be a new
program, developed in consultation with the Little Athletics
community and the ATFCA (Level IV, Coaching Young Athlete),
and will foucs heavily on the issues related directly to
coaching pre-pubescent athletes.
The first offering of Beginning Coach was conducted in Sydney on
May 22 with great success. Twenty-two participants were involved
and their evaluations show that on the questions:
Overall, how would you rate this
program:
The average response was 4.6 on a 5-point scale.
The learning I have received, will give me the confidence to
undertake a role as an Assistant Coach:
The average response was 4.3 on a 5 point scale.
Details regarding the total Athletics Accreditation Framework can
be found
here.
Accreditation update
As you will be aware, Athletics Australia together with the
Australian Track & Field Coaches Association (ATFCA) and the
Australian Sports Commission (ASC), recognise only Accredited
Athletics Coaches.
Our message to clubs, schools, parents and athletes is that
Accredited Athletics Coaches have demonstrated they have the skills
and knowledge required to coach in our sport.
In addition, Accredited Athletics Coaches are fully insured for
their coaching practice, have agreed to the member protection
including child protection provisions of the sport and have agreed
to abide by the coaching code of ethics.
Accredited Athletics Coach card
If you are a currently an Accredited Athletics Coach (either
with Athletics Australia OR the ATFCA) and have not yet
received your Accredited Athletics Coach card, please contact
michael.poulton@athletics.org.au
Your AAC card is valid for 12 months from the time of your
registration or membership.
All Accredited Athletics Coaches have an
option each year:
Option 1
Register with Athletics Australia as an
Accredited Athletics Coach and pay a $40 accreditation fee to
Athletics Australia
OR
Option 2
Become a member of the ATFCA, which includes
registration with Athletics Australia as an Accredited Athletics
Coach. The 2010 ATFCA membership fee is $128, which incorporates
the $40 accreditation fee payable to Athletics Australia.
If your 2010 registration OR membership is now due, please
make your choice as described above as soon as possible to ensure
your accreditation is active.
Michael Poulton
National Coaching Manager
Athletics Australia
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