ASA INTRODUCES GROUND BREAKING LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATION
The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) is rolling out its
highest available programme of coach education across the
country as the sports governing body continues to introduce
a framework of UK Coaching Certificate qualifications.
The UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) is a nationally recognised
standard for coach and teacher education spearheaded by sports
coach UK and is firmly centred on the needs of athletes.
A world-leader in teacher and coach education, the ASA is
one of six sports to be involved in the first stage of the
UKCC and the organisation continues to lead the way by delivering
the Level 3 standard to close to 50 coaches over a nine-month
period.
The first group to undertake Level 3 was introduced to the
first of 11 units, that go to make up the qualification, in
Wolverhampton at the end of April and they'll continue the
learning process until January of next year.
The first six units of the Level 3 qualification are generic
in content while units seven to 10 will be sport specific.
These will be concluded by November before candidates undergo
the vocational unit 11 over a 12-week period.
UKCC qualifications will ultimately be offered from levels
one to four in teaching and coaching across all four aquatic
disciplines. A flexible framework allows teachers and coaches
to transfer between disciplines, be assessed within their
own environment and even learn online.
A further distinction between teachers and coaches means
individuals have the opportunity to pursue excellence within
their chosen age group rather than having to progress to senior
athletes in order to further their careers.
ASA Assistant Coach Education Manager Alan Rapley, who has
been instrumental in defining and delivering the new education
standards, will be monitoring the progress of the Level 3
group and using valuable feedback to tailor future courses.
""We'll be looking closely at this first group
to see how the course is implemented and received. It will
help us to determine if any changes or additions are needed
in delivering what is a groundbreaking syllabus," said
Rapley.
"The new UKCC qualifications combine flexibility of learning
with structured reward and recognition across all environments.
"Whether you're the very first teacher of a young swimmer
or the coach of an Olympic athlete, your education will be
recognised on a parallel level.
"A major benefit of the UKCC is it includes core aspects
that span all ASA disciplines, with initial modules concentrating
on 'how to' skills and allowing people to develop at their
own pace."
Level 3 courses are currently being delivered right across
the country to groups based in and around areas such as Wolverhampton,
Hatfield, Lancaster, Bristol, Leeds and Newcastle.
For further details on UKCC please visit www.ukcoachingcertificate.org
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