SWIMMING SELECTED FOR PIONEERING COACHING FRAMEWORK
The sport of swimming has been selected to help drive the
development of the UK Coaching Framework - a pioneering initiative
set to change the face of coaching in Britain.
sports coach UK, the lead agency for the development and
UK wide implementation of the Framework, has identified swimming
as a potential trailblazer for implementing the UK Coaching
Framework (UKCF) that aims to develop Britain's coaches and
teachers into a world-beating force.
Swimming has also been approached to be the first sport to
formally pilot the UKCF and will look to implement the framework
across its four disciplines from later this year.
Once British Swimming has confirmed its acceptance and outlined
its UK-wide work programme, the governing body will receive
official trailblazer status. Swimming has been working towards
the UKCF since the development of its UK Coaching Certificate
qualifications and hopes to be in a position to finalise its
relationship with sports coach UK by mid-September.
The UKCF is a proposed structure to increase support available
to coaches across the UK. The key features of the framework
include the establishment of policy, management and implementation
systems to further develop and enhance coach, and therefore
athlete, pathways in the UK.
The UKCF sets out three main phases of development over three,
seven and 11-year timescales. Key outcomes include enhancing
the quality and quantity of coaching, increasing the number
of qualified coaches leading to sustained and increased participation
in sport, and improving performances in sport.
Five key actions have been identified to make a difference
and help achieve the outcomes by 2016 - The UK Coaching model,
Front-line coaching, Support for coaches, Licensing, registration
and specialist qualifications, and Research and development.
British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes believes the
framework will provide swimming with the structure it needs
to improve the quality and number of coaches and teachers
within the sport.
"Swimming is delighted to be selected as one of the trailblazers
for the UK Coaching Framework," he said. "We believe
the greatest legacy we can provide for 2012 is through developing
a framework to build a workforce of coaches and teachers that
can inspire the children and athletes of tomorrow.
"The UK Coaching Framework provides a once in a lifetime
opportunity for a sport to make a quantum leap in the quality
of the teachers and coaches it deploys into the swimming pools
of the UK and we believe we will, together with sports coach
UK, build the world's best aquatic coach education and development
system which will be beneficial for everyone in the industry.
It's a truly wonderful opportunity."
Welsh Amateur Swimming Association Chief Executive Robert
James added:
"I think that being a trailblazer sport for the UK Coaching
Framework will provide swimming with an excellent opportunity
to develop a professional and dedicated licensed young workforce
ready to lead the Great Britain in its quest for success at
the London 2012 Olympic Games."
sports coach UK Group Chief Executive Dr Pat Duffy praised
British Swimming for its progress so far towards the UKCF.
"British Swimming has demonstrated a very high level
of commitment, readiness and capability to progress the coaching
agenda within the sport, in the context of the UK Coaching
Framework," he said. "This commitment is evident
throughout the key executive levels of the organisation, including
the Chief Executive and the Board.
"sports coach UK is excited at the possibility of exploring
how the proposed new ways of working might operate and to
confirm the way forward in agreement with British Swimming."
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