Community Sports Coach Scheme
The Scheme intended to result in:
- A step change in developing a career structure for coaching
- An increase in the number of qualified coaches employed at a local level
- Quality standards for the recruitment, employment, management and development of coaches
- Managed, quality continuous professional development support for employed coaches
- High-quality coaching with a focus on young people
Coaches could work in one sport or across a number of sports, they must work in a defined geographical area, and full time posts must be a new position not replacing an existing contract
In addition, coaches must hold a level 2 NGB qualification.
Guidelines were given as to how the coach's time could be used, as follows:
- A coach can work up to 25% in curriculum time
- A minimum of 75% of time must be spent coaching
- A maximum of 25% of a coach's time can be spent, mentoring, linking in to an approved coach development project, administration and supporting/co-coaching with other coaches
- The coach should be predominantly working with young people
Berkshire has been successful in gaining 70 posts (13 full time and 57 part time) and over £800,000 of funding.
Employment and Deployment of Coaches
All post have to be advertised in an open and equitable manner and all employing bodies must adhere to recruitment guidelines (see below)
If there are any changes to the coach or post the employing body must complete the 'update form' which is below. If changes are not notified to Berkshire Sport then decisions will be made regarding funding to the employing body.
With regards to deployment of the coach, employing bodies should submit a copy of the coach's work programme to sports coach UK (scUK) when they commence the post, and then as requested by scUK throughout the project.
The coach's work programme is a combination of their Training Needs Analysis (TNA) and Personal Development Plans. As well as progression through the coaching awards there is a need to assess personal skills. Coaches can work with a mentor of coaching development officer to undertake a training needs analysis (TNA) This links with their personal development plan which highlights their strengths and weaknesses to allow coaches to determine what and when they might need to do to continue their development towards their own identified goals and targets.
Personal Development Plan (PDP)
Berkshire Sport organises and funds development workshops for all Community Sports Coaches which are currently free of charge. A list of dates will be on the website shortly.
If you have any questions or would like to receive more information on the Community Sports Coach Scheme please contact:
Debbie Griffiths
Sports Development Officer (Club and Coach)
T: 01183 766133
E: debbie.griffiths@reading.gov.uk
