Getting Into Coaching

[Meddler]

Originally Posted by flamingbladerider

I and a few other people were on the Gnas Level 1 coaching course last year and i'm afraid to say it was the biggest waste of time i've ever done. Gnas instructors themselves on the course were ok. Once the schoolroom sessions were over, zilch. Left to to your own devices, thats all well and good if its a freebee course, but it wasn't. IMO dont waste your time.
You dont have to be an archer to be an archery coach (Gnas coach's words), a piece of paper dosent make you a good instructer, the ability and personality has to be in you to start with.

I'm sorry you feel that way... could you PM me with details of why you think it was a waste of time?

Once the classroom content has been done, then the training carries on in conjunction with club, mentors, internal assesors and external assessors to do the "on the job" training.

As to the piece of paper comment... and I know I'll get flamed here (just don't shoot me I'm only the messenger)... in a couple of years' time you won't be able to coach without a "piece of paper". Local authorities are already demanding that users of their facilities have someone with a Level 1 Coaching qualification. Also if you were to coach without a "piece of paper" and something goes wrong, you'll have no insurance cover.

Another source of insurance cover is Sportscoach UK, but they only insure coaches with a recognised qualification.

But the whole thing notwithstanding, that doesn't mean to say that experienced archers won't carry on coaching archers.

The system isn't perfect, I grant you, but it is getting better.

Iain.