New GNAS Coach Grades

[Meddler]

I have been reading one of the other threads on this board, and I would like to share some information with you with regards to the way GNAS Coaching is headed.

Here are the job descriptions for each level of Coach within the new structure

GNAS Level1 Coach -Job Specification
Level 1 is the introductory grade into archery coaching
Level 1 coaches will teach & enhance the performance of beginners
Ideally level 1 coaches will work under the supervision of a more senior coach

GNAS Level 2 -Job Specification
The initial level of archer performance development coach
Develop archers from the beginners stage
Take responsibility for a club coaching programme
Level 2 coaches supervise level 1 coaches
Take responsibility for a club beginners training programme
Contribute to the development of level 1 coaches

GNAS Level 3 -Job Specification
The principal level of archer performance development coach

Core
Develops archers to a competitive performance level
Supervises the archer performance development role of level 2 coaches and either

Performance
Supports elite archer performance development

or

Development
Supports the development of archery coaching


GNAS Level 4 -Job Specification
The principal level of coaching management

Core
Management and evaluation of coaching structures at all levels and either

Performance
Manages and implements programmes for elite archer performance development

or

Development
Manages and implements programmes for the development of archery coaching

GNAS Level 5 -Job Specification
The senior management level of archery coaching

Direct and evaluate the process and outcome of long term GNAS coaching programmes or coaching development

*******

Please note the distinctions between Performance and Development Coach.

The qualifications are predicated on capability - Coaches are observed doing the things they say they can do, and if they meet the standard, they get the qualification.

The new system acknowledges the fact that not all Coaches are good at everything. And it allows for support of Coaches by more experienced Coaches. Coaches are also expected to keep up their learning about Coaching and archery, and have targets to be reached for continuous professional development.

I get very passionate on the subject of Coaching, and get annoyed when people dismiss Coaches. And before anyone says that I must be looking through rose tinted specs, I will say that there are some Coaches out there who would benefit from refresher courses...

Oh, and as for people who think Coaches need to be 1300 shooters... Einstein had teachers who gave him the tools to formulate his theories. A good Coach will give an archer the tools with which to shoot. What the archer does with those tools is up to them.

Meddler
(aka Iain Norel-Wilson, GNAS Senior Coach and member of the UK Source Group [formerly Coach Education Development Group])

[Shirt]

If compared to previous system (which, I know, you can't entirely do but can approximate to)

Lvl 1 : Assistant Coach
Lvl 2 : Coach
Lvl 3 : County Coach
Lvl 4 : Senior Coach

That about right?

[Furface]

This looks a good and reasonable structure. What stage are we at now (I seem to remember just Level 1 is in place). And, perhaps more important, are current coaches being assessed against the job descriptions and, if necessary, retrained? Is there anything being done about the "old club coach who has been a coach for years because no one has had the heart to tell him he is not up to it" (no one in mind, but they do exist!)

[Murray]

Great stuff Ian. I'm still wondering why this stuff isn't on the GNAS site in considerable detail

[Meddler]

Current situation is that Level 1 is up and running.

Levels 2 and 3 are in development now, and the target is to get Level 2 started next year (2006).

There should be an article about the current situation in the next issue of Archery UK.

Re : the guy who's been coaching for years...

There is already an upgrade path from Assistant Coach to Level 1

The others will be looked at in more detail as and when we progress. Target is for all 5 levels to be in place by 2011/2012.

With the advent of the new coaching structure, there is a new renewals procedure. Instead of just showing what you have been doing - beginners, intermediates etc., each coach will have to have done some more work outside - things like attendance at Sportscoach UK modules, attendance at coaching seminars (at county regional and national level). Each activity gets a number of points, and over a three year period, depending on the level of qualification, you have to amass a certain number of points. If the CPD requirements are not met, then coaches are given remediation plans, to get them to up to the level they should be at for their coaching qualification. We are looking to getting rid of the notion that Coaching qualifications are "rubber-stamped".

It is acknowledged that not all coaches are good at everything - which is why there is a split between performance and development coaches. Performance coaches will specialise in the development of archers from beginners through to elite. They will not be expected to be able to coach at all levels. Support will be available from the level above (except maybve for level 5 coaches...). On the development side, coaches will be looking at new materials that come out into the public domain, will be working to train coaches etc.

It could be that a Coach was a Level 4 development Coach and a Level 3 Performance Coach.

As well as the changes to the Coaching Structure, there is a change coming at National Regional and County Level. The National Coaching Committee is still there. beneath that there are 3 National Coaching Organisers (Education, Development, Performance). This structure will be starting up in Regions (if it hasn't already started). Already in Scotland we have the 3 Regional Coaching Organisers in place - how it's going elsewhere, I can't say. The target is to get the same structure down to County level.

All of the above is linked to a government initiative for coaching. It means we should get funding in the future for going with this. We are ahead of the game compared to other sports' National Governing Bodies. And not only that but we are producing better material than some of them...

[Meddler]

Originally Posted by Shirt

If compared to previous system (which, I know, you can't entirely do but can approximate to)

Lvl 1 : Assistant Coach
Lvl 2 : Coach
Lvl 3 : County Coach
Lvl 4 : Senior Coach

That about right?

Shirt, that's about right.

[Meddler]

Originally Posted by Murray

Great stuff Ian. I'm still wondering why this stuff isn't on the GNAS site in considerable detail

Well, some of it is...

If you go to the GNAS website, click on Coaching (left hand side), and then click on "information page" (right hand side), the article that's going into Archery UK is second in the list (I think).

Seek and ye shall find...

:hgrin:

Iain.

[Murray]

Originally Posted by Meddler

Well, some of it is...
<SNIP>

Seek and ye shall find...

"SOME" being the operative word - I sought and I found... wasn't anywhere nearly as succinctly put as you've just done... you hit several nails on the head that the PDF seemed to miss completely. Frankly, I'd doubt if many of the membership would read the stuff on the PDF on the GNAS website, it's fairly deep but lacking the core information which is, in my opinion, the crux of what a "would be coach" or even a "would be county coach" would want to know.

When I read the PDF, I wasn't really sure who the intended audience was, and the introduction on the site didn't make it clear either. I'm not *really* criticising, I think it's all good and great to see such information finally becoming available on public media, I just thought it would be good to have a more general, simplified outline on the site, with deeper detail for those who want to find out more (this is probably more a criticism of an "articles" based website as opposed to a "real" website than anything).

Perhaps if the GNAS site had a structured breakdown and FAQ on coaching, it might (a) make the new changes more readable and (b) make it easier for those who might consider becoming coaches to get information on the structure and process.

Meddler for web editor I say!!

Anyway, I digress... have a good weekend all!


[Best regards, the Unqualified Meddler]

[cliveanne]

Originally Posted by Meddler

Current situation is that Level 1 is up and running.

Levels 2 and 3 are in development now, and the target is to get Level 2 started next year (2006).

There should be an article about the current situation in the next issue of Archery UK.

Re : the guy who's been coaching for years...

There is already an upgrade path from Assistant Coach to Level 1

The others will be looked at in more detail as and when we progress. Target is for all 5 levels to be in place by 2011/2012.

With the advent of the new coaching structure, there is a new renewals procedure. Instead of just showing what you have been doing - beginners, intermediates etc., each coach will have to have done some more work outside - things like attendance at Sportscoach UK modules, attendance at coaching seminars (at county regional and national level). Each activity gets a number of points, and over a three year period, depending on the level of qualification, you have to amass a certain number of points. If the CPD requirements are not met, then coaches are given remediation plans, to get them to up to the level they should be at for their coaching qualification. We are looking to getting rid of the notion that Coaching qualifications are "rubber-stamped".

It is acknowledged that not all coaches are good at everything - which is why there is a split between performance and development coaches. Performance coaches will specialise in the development of archers from beginners through to elite. They will not be expected to be able to coach at all levels. Support will be available from the level above (except maybve for level 5 coaches...). On the development side, coaches will be looking at new materials that come out into the public domain, will be working to train coaches etc.

It could be that a Coach was a Level 4 development Coach and a Level 3 Performance Coach.

As well as the changes to the Coaching Structure, there is a change coming at National Regional and County Level. The National Coaching Committee is still there. beneath that there are 3 National Coaching Organisers (Education, Development, Performance). This structure will be starting up in Regions (if it hasn't already started). Already in Scotland we have the 3 Regional Coaching Organisers in place - how it's going elsewhere, I can't say. The target is to get the same structure down to County level.

All of the above is linked to a government initiative for coaching. It means we should get funding in the future for going with this. We are ahead of the game compared to other sports' National Governing Bodies. And not only that but we are producing better material than some of them...

17th Sept' I went to a "Roll over" course at Rutland (Greetham Valley Golf Club) 09:30-16:30 Had a good day there & came back home with a lot of paper & a CD in a nice wallet. Yesterday mornings post contained 3 certificates Tutor, Course Manager & Mentor. Where do I go from here? I fill in a "3yr Coaching Diary" & GNAS get a copy of that in order to renew my certificate. What else will they be needing ? Diaries for each "Coaching activity"? All I want to do is to shoot for my own pleasure & run Courses (Beginners), Parties, "Hava-a-Goes" etc. to top up my works pension (Still got 3 1/2 yrs to go yet).

My Good Lady also has the same certificates. But she does not wish to go down the same path as I (well, not as far). So, working on the "Points system" will she no longer be a coach if she does not paticipate fully as per "Work spec's"?

I'm all for better coaching standards but will this new approach make me a better coach or just another paper pusher?

This might come over as me being negtive, Honest, I'm not, Im not too clear as to what happens now.

A new "Leaders Course" will be taking place at Rosliston Forestry Centre I'm not sure who will be running it but if you are interested get details from Wayne Chesterman Email rosliston@south-derbys.gov.uk
I'm sure that he can "Fill you in"

[Meddler]

OK, please excuse me while I get up on my soap box... This is a big one...

Originally Posted by cliveanne

17th Sept' I went to a "Roll over" course at Rutland (Greetham Valley Golf Club) 09:30-16:30 Had a good day there & came back home with a lot of paper & a CD in a nice wallet. Yesterday mornings post contained 3 certificates Tutor, Course Manager & Mentor. Where do I go from here? I fill in a "3yr Coaching Diary" & GNAS get a copy of that in order to renew my certificate. What else will they be needing ? Diaries for each "Coaching activity"? All I want to do is to shoot for my own pleasure & run Courses (Beginners), Parties, "Hava-a-Goes" etc. to top up my works pension (Still got 3 1/2 yrs to go yet).

Under the old coaching renewal system, all that the Coach was expected to supply was a summary of what they had been up to, based on the notes they had kept about their activities. Renewals have been known to go through "on the nod". People complained about the system.

So, now we have a new system where we are trying to be systematic and accountable about things we are doing. And some people have complained about the new system...

Attendance at Regional events shows we are trying to keep up with what's going on in the coaching world. Attendance at National events etc... But also there are points for coaching activities - beginners' courses, workshop days etc. Any working Coach will be doing these things anyway, and if you keep a diary of what you have been doing, it makes it easier to fill in the renewal paperwork when it comes in. Having just been on the end of a new style renewal, the renewals panel went through it and queried one of the activities I had claimed. By going back to my diary, I could give the explanation, and clarify that matter.

Originally Posted by cliveanne

My Good Lady also has the same certificates. But she does not wish to go down the same path as I (well, not as far). So, working on the "Points system" will she no longer be a coach if she does not paticipate fully as per "Work spec's"?

If a Coach doesn't make the points for a particular three year period, then a remediation plan is set out with the Coach concerned which will address any of the perceived "holes" in the Coach's activities. These remediation activities will be carried out within a specified period. The Coach is the one who makes the decision to follow the remediation plan or not...

Originally Posted by cliveanne

I'm all for better coaching standards but will this new approach make me a better coach or just another paper pusher?

It's up to you to make the decision. How long does it take to fill in a one-liner in a coaching diary? How many activities do you want to get involved in?

The idea is that if Coaches are taking part in Coaching activities, they are being helped along by other Coaches, and getting some new ideas. Or passing on tips and tricks they have learnt in certain areas.

How often, in the past, have we had Coaches who have kept information very close to their chests about how they deal with archers? How many Coaches do you know who have not shared their knowledge?

A Coaching certificate is like a driving licence - we have reached a standard, but we can always improve. Our working lives are governed by Contuinuous Professional Development. Why should Coaching be different?

Originally Posted by cliveanne

This might come over as me being negtive, Honest, I'm not, Im not too clear as to what happens now.

What happens in the future is dependant on all of us. We have a new system, and it should work. I will try to give as much information as I can, but I will also take these comments with me to the UK Source Group who are putting the new structure in place. I will also have an opportunity to speak to people at the National Coaching Conference (11-13 Nov 2005 at Lilleshall). If I can talk to the right people we can get the information in the right place, and try to dispel the fear of the unknown.

I can also supply a copy of the renewal form to give an idea of how the renewal works. Send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll get it back to you.

One of the big fears that was caused when the new structure was announced was that we wold lose a lot of Coaches, because of the Child Protection requirements, the renewals etc. Statistics show that this has not happened.

The system we have had in place until quite recently worked, but it could have been better. As time went by, it didn't work as well.

The system we are putting in place is better than the previous system, and we have built in the facility to improve it. The Level 1 syllabus will be reviewed and any changes to it will be published in Jan 2006.

Right that's it... I'm down off my soap box... 'til the next time.

[Phew]