National Accreditation Scheme

Transcription

1 National Accreditation Scheme A national accreditation program has been developed by the Coaching and Officiating Unit of the Australian Sports Commission - (i.e. previously known as the Australian Coaching Council). The coaching program is known as the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) The Australian Sports Commission s role in establishing the NCAS is based on four guiding principles: Approving national sporting organisations training programs for coaches. Specifying special accreditation requirements, such as a code of ethics, recognition of prior learning / current competence and updating, to ensure the continuing professionalism of coaching and officiating at all levels. Providing a suite of coaching principles modules and resources to facilitate the delivery of training programs. National sporting organisations have the flexibility to select from a range of educational resources and training methods for inclusion in their sport-specific NCAS courses. Setting a flexible framework for national sporting organizations to provide accredited training programs that allow a high degree of self-determination by the sport (i.e. in this case Swimming Australia Ltd.). The NCAS is a progressive coach education program offering courses at various levels. Over 70 sports participate in the NCAS. The Australian Sports Commission recommends that all coaches become accredited though the NCAS. Coaches who are accredited through the NCAS are recognised by their National and State sporting organisations and the Australian Sports Commission. Clubs and local government authorities may also require coaches to be NCAS accredited for employment or insurance purposes. As standards for safety and ethical behaviour within coaching increase, it s even more important that coaches are properly trained and accredited. Accredited coaches will be able to obtain professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover for their coaching activities at the lowest available insurance market rates. Qualified coaches also benefit through: increased confidence and competence in coaching ability because of their training, participation in ongoing professional development activities,

2 promotion of best practice coaching methods (including the application of sports science) to enable an in-depth approach to coaching, the use of safe and correct techniques that are recognised by the National Sporting body, improved communication skills acquired through training, acquiring innovative coaching techniques, understanding of child development principles, insurance cover i.e. professional indemnity as well as public liability insurance cover at the lowest possible rate. Accreditation courses include the following components: coaching general principles generic principles of coaching and athletic performance that apply to all sports, sport-specific skills, techniques, strategies and scientific approaches to the sport of swimming, coaching practice practical coaching and application of coaching principles, competency based training principles that include: competency standards that specify the levels of knowledge and skill required; flexibility in education training delivery; equitable access to course programs and equitable training methods; assessment that measures the identified competencies; a mixture of theory and practical training, currency coaches must update their accreditation at least every 4 years. NCAS coaching general principles courses are also offered through state departments of sport and recreation, as well as education and vocational training providers. These are particularly useful to individuals who what to learn more about the role and function of coaching, but may not wish to pursue a formalised accreditation program in a specific sport. Note: the completion of a coaching general principles component does not provide a swimming coaching accreditation. To enroll in a coaching general principles course, contact your state sport education centre or visit the online Beginning Coaching General Principles course on the Australian Sports Commission s web site. Delivery of Accreditation Courses to Swimming Coaches Delivery of coaching courses has always been facilitated by the State Swimming Associations and the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ascta) working jointly as stakeholders of Swimming Australia Ltd. ascta actively promotes coaching as a vocation as well as advocating for professional standards. ascta provides the link between the Australian Sports Commission s course structure with the Sport and Recreation Industry s vocational training system ascta is a registered training provider and may issue a vocational

3 Statement of Attainment for competencies listed in each course. The training delivery arm of ascta is called SwimEd. Appropriate coaching qualifications should match the intended coaching outcomes. Therefore, regular reviews of the NCAS system are conducted by Swimming Australia s Coaching Accreditation Review Committee. A recent recommendation of this Committee was to replace the Green (i.e. entry level) accreditation course for swimming coaches with an equivalent accreditation called Junior Squad & Assistant Coach. The Junior Squad & Assistant Coach holds exactly the same recognition as previously given to a Green Coach. Coaches holding a Junior Squad & Assistant Coach, Bronze, Silver, or Gold accreditation may apply for a coaching licence from ascta / Swimming Australia to practice within the competitive swimming community. General Description of Coaching Competencies Junior Squad & Assistant Coach is qualified to deliver basic training sessions that develop the swimming technique of novice and junior swimmers this is generally defined as swimmers 12-years and under who are still acquiring the skills needed to compete successfully. The coach may work independent of any supervision as they are fully qualified to provide such instructional training. Coaches at this level are also encouraged to work with older swimmers (i.e. to gain valuable on-the-job training), but only under the supervision of a coach with appropriate qualifications as an assistant. Coaching age-group swimmers requires higher-order competencies that include the planning of annual and short-term training cycles, team development, performance assessment, and much more. These coaching skills are not assessed until the coach engages in a Bronze accreditation course. In affect, accredited Junior Squad & Assistant Coaches working in an assistant capacity are gaining on-the-job experience under the supervision of a mentor coach until such time as they obtain the knowledge and skill to deliver more complex training programs. Bronze accredited swimming coaches have been assessed as competent to plan, conduct and evaluate a range of training programs suitable for the diverse age and swimming abilities found within Swimming Clubs. A Bronze Coach must plan and supervise training for multiple squad units to best prepare swimmers of different ages, abilities, and competition goals to achieve their potential. All Bronze Coaches should have the skills to prepare swimmers for Club, District and State (or higher) level competitions. Bronze is the accepted standard for coaches implementing a Swim Club program in Australia. Once a coach has completed a Bronze accreditation they may also acquire specialist training to successfully coach Open Water swimmers or Swimmers with a Disability. At this point the Bronze coach may also gain a cross-over

4 qualification under the Aussi Masters Swimming accreditation system to supervise the training of Adult swimmers. Silver accredited swimming coaches have been assessed as competent to plan, conduct and evaluate advanced training programs suitable for swimmers competing at State and Australian Age Championship (or higher) level competitions. A Silver Coach has demonstrated the ability to train swimmers who have achieved National Age qualifying times. The Silver Coach should have the skills to structure a complex training environment that allows for a progression from Club and State level competitions to success at the National level. Gold accredited swimming coaches have been assessed as competent to plan, conduct and evaluate advanced training programs suitable for swimmers competing at Australian Open Championships (or higher) level competitions. The Gold Coach should have the experience and knowledge to provide coaching leadership and serve in a mentoring or educational role to assist coaches at lower levels Coaches who have undertaken relevant tertiary studies and/or have extensive senior competitive swimming experience and/or have served as an apprentice under a more senior coach to enhance their coaching knowledge and skills, and/or have a recognised overseas coaching qualification, may apply for Recognition of Current Competency to fast track their progress along the coaching development pathway. The RCC process maps the skills and competencies an applicant has demonstrated against the competencies otherwise gained by completion of one of the coaching accreditation courses. In some instances, when only partial credit can be demonstrated, the coach may undertake assignments or practical competency assessment. At the advanced Silver and Gold accreditation levels there are also performance requirements (i.e. the coach must demonstrate the ability to coach Australian swimmers to a designated level of achievement). This insures the integrity of the coaching accreditation system, regardless of the manner in which a qualification is obtained. Coaching course enquiries or questions about the Recognition of Current Competency process in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Northern Territory should be directed to SwimEd, Enquiries in other states should be directed to the respective State Swimming Association. Accreditation Update All coaches are encouraged to acquire new knowledge and broaden their coaching experience through professional development activities. Participation in approved activities allows the coach to accumulate update credits toward the

5 renewal of accreditation. The updating policies of Swimming Australian / ascta include requirements for practical coaching hours and participation in professional development or practical coaching activities (i.e. such as attending competitions). For more information, contact the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association. Swimming Coaches update their accreditation every four years through ascta. Coaches who do not complete updating requirements will not be eligible for a coaching licence. To re-enter the NCAS (i.e. after a period of inactivity) a coach may be required to attend appropriate activities, or in some cases enroll in a current course to upgrade their knowledge. Special leave considerations (such as maternity leave, sickness, or leave related to employment status) may be granted to coaches who step outside the profession for a period of time; contact ascta for more information. Licencing of Swimming Coaches Qualified swimming coaches may apply for a Licence under the guidelines set by Swimming Australia and implemented by the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association. Being a member of ascta also means the coach is a member of Swimming Australia Ltd. and subject to all member welfare policies as well as a member s code of conduct. ascta members gain access to an insurance scheme, professional development programs, discounts on educational products, and regularly receive print and electronic information. Licenced swimming coaches receive a licence card that is re-issued annually (i.e.1 July through 30June of the following year) by ascta. Swim Clubs or swim schools and pool operators employing, contracting, or providing facility access to coaches who conduct a training program should be aware of the Swimming Australia / ascta licence program. They should also take note of the level of a coach s qualification and allow them to work only within the scope of their accreditation. ascta manages the database of qualifications for swimming coaches and can verify whether a coach is currently qualified and licenced. Un-licenced coaches may, or may not, have the required expertise, but more importantly they are not swimming coach members of Swimming Australia. ascta, as a stakeholder of Swimming Australia, fulfils an important role in representing the interests and views of coaches, supporting the development of our sport, and improving the capacity of Clubs to deliver quality programs. Only coaches who are current members of ascta are represented within the sport.