Coach Development

Qualifications

National Governing Body (NGB) qualifications, and workshops provided by other organisations, remain the most accessible and recognized way of developing your capabilities as a coach. NGB qualifications allow coaches to progress and diversify as a coach and are the best way for others to judge the level at which a coach can operate. They are central to coaching development and support the improvement of technical knowledge and delivery skills.

Along with an NGB qualification, to ensure coaching practice is safe, appropriate and that coaches have the skills to deal with all situations that may arise, various organisations offer other workshops, such as Safeguarding and Protecting Children.

Three of these workshops are included in the Minimum Standards for Active Coaches (MSAC) as determined by UK Coaching. Active Suffolk offer these courses, along with First Aid training and workshops for clubs, in the form of the annual Club and Coach Education Programme. These courses and workshops are heavily subsidised by Active Suffolk, with preferential rates offered if you are a CIMSPA Member, or a coach/member of an accredited club. (Club Mark)

To compliment the NGB qualification and MSAC workshops, coaches can access a raft of other sessions designed to improve a coaches knowledge and understanding. Active Suffolk have collated these workshops, and are offering to organise as and when enough interest has been received. Please refer to our Workforce CPD Guide below

Continuing Professional Development

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge and experience that you gain both formally and informally as you work, beyond any initial training. CPD is important because it ensures you continue to be competent in your profession. It is an ongoing process and continues throughout your career.

Active Suffolk, in partnership with education partners have developed a CPD guide for the entire workforce which includes a mixture of workshops, seminars, e-learning modules, webinars and tutorials. The guide also includes guidance for clubs via Club Matters support and also includes CPD for the education and health sectors. A number of the core modules are endorsed by CIMSPA therefore members are able to gain invaluable CPD points.

Workforce CPD Guide (PDF, 945 Kb)

Mentoring

Many high class coaches, both past and present, identify someone in their formative years who has influenced their style, perspective and attitude towards coaching and the game they coach. They have been 'mentored' to think and behave in a way that has enabled them to get the best out of their athletes and achieve great things within their profession.

Mentoring can either be formal, 'under the wing' of a more experienced/qualified coach, or informal, where a coach actively watches other coaching sessions and has access to someone for support and guidance as and when required. Informal coaching has, in many instances, proved as beneficial as formal coaching.

The 2019-2024 Workforce Strategy looks at offering a mentoring scheme for coaches (and volunteers). More information on this will follow soon.

Upcoming Workshops & Events

Health Coaching - West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 (09:15 - 17:00)

East Suffolk House, Riduna Park, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1RT

Active Suffolk are working with West Suffolk Hospital to offer a Health Coaching training course which provides community practitioners, link workers, activators etc. with new mind-sets, communication skills and behaviour change techniques that transform the practitioner – patient relationship and enable patients to become more active participants in their care.

Swim England Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching)

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 - Thu, 17 Oct 2019 (10:00 - 16:30)

Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre, Beetons Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3TT

This course develops your knowledge, skills and abilities as an assistant swimming teacher. It will enable you to actively support a qualified swimming teacher in the delivery of a planned learn to swim session.

Badminton England: Racket Pack CPD / Teacher Training Workshop

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 (13:00 - 17:00)

Worlingham Primary School, Garden Lane, Worlingham, Beccles, Suffolk, NE34 7SB

The racket pack is designed to take place within the school setting and the CPD aims to help teachers to feel comfortable in delivering foundation badminton skills to increase children’s ABC’s.

Safeguarding and Protecting Children - UK Coaching (04/11/19)

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 (18:30 - 21:30)

East Suffolk House, Riduna Park, Station Road, Melton, Suffolk, IP12 1RT

This workshop will raise your awareness of the tell-tale signs of abuse, and give you the tools and confidence you need to deal with any issues sensitively, appropriately and effectively should the need ever arise in your coaching career. *We advise all attendees to check that this course is recognised by their NGB*

Your Needs Met - Emotional Needs and Resources

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 (09:30 - 13:00)

East Point Academy, Kirkley Run, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0UQ

A half day course which introduces staff to the emotional needs and resources model, and enables people to help themselves and those around them, while improving understanding about what might be going on with colleagues, friends or family that are struggling. The training also acts as a good way of introducing to senior managers the benefits to the bottom line that come through ensuring people can get their needs met.