Good coaches are essential to the successful delivery of sport. A good sports coach will:
- plan and deliver high-quality sports programmes
- keep participants involved and motivated to continue participating
- encourage new potential participants to start in the sport
- put the participant at the centre of the process
- provide opportunities and an environment that motivates, controls risk, engenders challenge, enjoyment and above all achievement
- grow participants' confidence and self esteem
- help participants to improve
- empower participants, supporting them to make choices and discover their own solutions
- recognise and act upon the individual needs of participants according to their background, gender and ability
- make the sessions fun
- be responsible for the safety and well-being of the participants, and operate within an established code of conduct
- reflect on their own practice and always look for ways to improve their coaching ability.
BEF Coaching Mission:
'To create the world's most respected sports coaching system that delivers coaches who are fit for purpose in sufficient numbers at all levels and delivers the right coach to the right place at the right time for the needs of every rider at every stage of their development'.
"The work done by the CDAT to develop UKCC within equestrianism has enabled the different disciplines within the BEF to work closely together. For British Eventing it means that we now have a coaching qualification that is based on the same principles as the other equestrian disciplines and sports in the UK which could only improve coaching within our sports and therefore raise the general standard of our participants and enhance our medal chances in the future". Yogi Breisner, Performance Manager, British Eventing.
Main focus of our work is currently embedding the UK Coaching Framework and on-going implementation of the UKCC in equestrian disciplines and pathways.
UK Coaching Framework - Executive Summary
Sports coaching is central to developing, sustaining and increasing participation in sport. It drives better performances and increased success as well as supporting key social and economic objectives throughout the UK. At all levels of society, coaches guide improvement in technical, tactical, physical, mental and lifestyle skills, contributing to personal and social development. The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games present exciting challenges for sport in the UK. Coaching will play a pivotal role in the UK and home-country performances in order to be world-leading and, further to that, if we are to create a lasting UK-wide legacy for sport and coaching. In this context and in cooperation with its policy, funding and sporting partners, sports coach UK was tasked to develop The UK Coaching Framework. This process built on the UK-wide progress made to date (reflected in Game Plan: The Coaching Task Force Report, Reaching Higher and the emerging sport strategy for Northern Ireland).
The vision of The UK Coaching Framework is to:
- create a cohesive, ethical, inclusive and valued coaching system where skilled coaches support children, players and athletes at all stages of their development in sport
- become world number one by 2016.
The UK Coaching Framework will be implemented in three main phases:
Building the Foundations
3 years - 2006-2008
Delivering the Goals
7 years - 2006-2012
Transforming the System
11 years - 2006-2016
Strategic Action Areas
Five Strategic Action Areas supported by 12 Specific Actions have been identified:
The UK Coaching System
Specific Action 1: The UK Coaching Model
Specific Action 2: Participant pathways
Specific Action 3: Coach pathways
Specific Action 4: Coaching strategies
Front-line coaching
Specific Action 5: Active, skilled and qualified coaches
Specific Action 6: Coaching in education
Support for coaches
Specific Action 7: Coaching support and system delivery
Specific Action 8: Targeted development of coaches
Specific Action 9: Coaching qualifications and continuous professional development (CPD)
A professionally regulated vocation
Specific Action 10: Licensing and registration
Specific Action 11: Profile and recognition of coaching
Research and development
Specific Action 12: Research and development
Key pillars for building the Coaching System
Four key pillars have been identified to underpin The UK Coaching Framework:
- Capacity for the deployment and employment of coaches
- Capacity of governing bodies of sport and other relevant organisations to design, deliver and quality-assure inclusive coaching and coach education systems on a local, regional, national and UK-wide basis
- Education and Continuous Professional Development of coaches
- Capacity and alignment of funding, policy and other complementary support agencies.
Outcomes
The UK Coaching Framework will:
- enhance the quality of coaching at all stages
- provide active, skilled and qualified coaches to meet demand.
This will lead to:
- sustained and increased participation
- improved performances in sport underpinned by clear career structures for coaches within
- a professionally regulated vocation.
