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COACHING
WE WILL ENDEAVOUR TO USE THIS PAGE TO KEEP ATHLETES , COACHES (AND POTENTIAL COACHES) ADVISED OF ANY COURSES THAT MIGHT PROVE BENEFICIAL.
OUR COACHING CO-ORDINATOR IS GRAHAM NORRIS AND HE CAN GIVE YOU ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
PROVIDED YOU MAKE A COMMITMENT TO HELP WITH COACHING THE CLUB'S ATHLETES, WHETHER IN TRACK OR FIELD, THE CLUB WILL ASSIST YOU TOWARDS PAYMENT OF COURSE FEES.
September 2007
The following letter was sent to all club members and parents to raise awareness of coaching and courses . If you, or any of of your friends or relatives would like further information , please contact Graham on 01749 689141 or at Graham.norris2@talktalk.net
Dear Club member.
The club's coaching capacity has waxed and waned over the past 4 years, but has always been able to provide regular support to most of the athletes who turn up. Like many other clubs, providing support across all the various disciplines is, and I suspect always will be, a challenge.
However, our recent promotion and good steady membership numbers suggest we are doing something right. Every year we try and recruit more coaches, and this year will be no different. Unlike other main stream sports Athletics is very resource intensive - we need many coaches, officials and helpers to put on even a small event.
Across the whole of the UK, most new coaches of juniors come from parents of young club athletes, and in the long run they make better coaches being more patient and having better skills than recent ex athletes and others who collect coaching qualifications
As a parent, I know too well the pressures of life today, being a part-time taxi driver in particular. However, I observe many parents coming up to the track and watching for an hour, and suspect that some may wish to get involved but are unsure about the commitment or steps to take. Qualified at level 1, which requires attendance only on a one day course, you are able to work under the supervision of a level 2 coach. After a couple of months level 1 coaches can take a two day level 2 course, gain further experience and then take an assessment (half a day) so they can work unsupervised.
Many believe that previous skills and knowledge of athletics is essential; this perception is wrong. In reality it takes a long time to develop skills and experience in what are technical events, and many athletes do not really start to develop their potential until they reach 17 and beyond. So between 11 and 17, what young athletes need is regular and enthusiastic support, quite simply someone with some knowledge there at the training sessions!
We are entering the winter period, which means Sportshall (based at Blue School Wells) for most of our juniors and already we believe that we will have higher numbers than last year. In 6 months time, some/most will take up Track and Field athletics at Millfield, and that is where we need further support.
Unfortunately the number of level 1 courses is limited, and the course season is already upon us; it ends about Feb/March. If you are one of those who sit and watch or who think you would like to get involved please give me a ring (01749 689141) to talk about the commitment and training etc.
These are the dates of courses in the South West region
Sat 6-Oct-07 To confirm Exeter Devon
Fri 19-Oct-07 SW10100 Yeovil College Somerset
Sun 4-Nov-07 SW10105 Bournemouth University Dorset
Sat 10-Nov-07 SW10099 Poltair School, St Austell Cornwall
Sun 2-Dec-07 SW10101 Yeovil College Somerset
Sun 9-Dec-07 SW10103 Oxtalls Campus, Gloucester
Look forward to hearing from some of you
Kind regards
Graham Norris
December 2006
We have been asked to put a link to the following Coaching site
www.tfcoach.com . This is USA dominated and seems to be also forum based . Let us know what you think. The best basic site seems to be www.sportscoachuk.org though this is all sports not just athletics but it does have a comprehensive list of courses in the South West regionThere does not
appear to be much else in the UK and the UK Athletic Coaches Association site at
www.acauk.co.uk
seems very out of date. There is another site with lots of free info on it at
www.brianmac.demon.co.ukbut again it seems USA based. It does keep cropping up on other clubs websites. Another site that looks interesting is www.sports-fitness.com particularly for those athletes coaching themselves . Let us know if you come across any others you have found useful.
November 2006
SSDC Coach Education Programme
South Somerset District Council run a series of coaching courses,not just for athletics but for more general purposes. E-mail sportsdevelopment@southsomerset.gov.uk or check the website www.southsomerset.gov.uk/coacheducation . Alternatively phone Jenny Phipps ,Sports Development Officer, SSDC on 01935 462543.
Coaching Courses at Bath University
There are a number of courses coming up which might be the one you want :
UK Athletics Children in Athletics
This course is designed for people who are involved in leading groups of children (aged 8-13) taking part in athletics type activity. It introduces various athletics type activities that are appropriate as an introduction to the full athletics events for children. It helps leaders to make sure that sessions they are taking are fun, create maximum involvement and are safe for all concerned. The organisational and planning elements of running such group sessions are covered. It covers topics such as the responsibility of the coach when running sessions with growing children.
Date: Sunday 21st January 2007
Time: 09.00 – 17.00
Price: £60
Level One Assistant Coach in Athletics
This course is an introduction to coaching skills, with a major emphasis on the “how to” skills rather than the “what” skills. Despite this there is a large practical element to the course with the theory being taught through the practical parts. During the course the coach will receive a complete manual of the course and following on from the course they will be entered onto the UK Athletics Coach database. A Coach pass and licence will be produced and will be sent out to the coach usually within 8 weeks of the course. As soon as the course has been completed the coach is qualified and insured to coach under the supervision of a coach qualified at Level 2 or higher.
Date: Saturday 24th February 2007
Time: 09.00 – 17.00
Price: £60
UK Athletics Fitness in Running and Walking
This course is aimed for people who are involved in leading groups or people in endurance type activities, running, walking etc. It qualifies the person to lead a group of people in endurance type activities.
Date: Sunday 11th March 2007
Time: 09.00 – 17.00
Price: TBC
Sports Coach UK Equity in Your Coaching
Everyone should have access to sport, regardless of gender, age, race, ability, faith or sexual orientation. As a coach, you have an important role to play in ensuring this happens. The workshop will help you to apply and extend your existing skills to meet the needs of present and potential participants.
Date: 22nd February 2007
Time: 18.30 – 21.30
Price: TBC
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