Coach Tracking Study(PDF) - sports coach UK

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COACH TRACKING STUDY © Mark Bullimore 6 A Manifesto to Improve Support to Coaches Firstly, it needs to be stated that over two thirds of coaches feel supported overall by their governing body of sport and other partners. But this figure has been in decline over the last four years (down from 75% to 67%), and if this trend is allowed to continue, less than half of coaches will feel supported at the end of what was supposed to be a decade of sport! These coaches have already been identified as the backbone of coaching and their sport, but increasingly, they feel the support system is a remote, bewildering bureaucracy with structures and processes that make it difficult for coaches to understand. In particular, they feel let down by support with identifying the opportunities that are available and what their next steps in coaching are. (Around one third of coaches feel ‘not supported at all’ in these areas.) Embracing these experienced, qualified and dedicated coaches offers considerable benefits to any sport looking to develop and grow its participants. As part of the research, the coaches were asked to put forward their suggestions for improving support to coaches. Here, the most common suggestions are consolidated into their manifesto for improving support. Five key areas to this manifesto are: 1 better communication 2 increased access to funding 3 more mentors 4 more individual support 5 better use of technology. Better communication Coaches want better communication from the top down. In particular, they want a greater focus on raising awareness of opportunities for coaches. However, they also see communication as a two-way process and feel they have a lot to contribute if people will only listen. Comments on communication included: • More lines of communicating, far too easy to be left out of the loop after coaching qualification has completed. • If I didn’t phone, I wouldn’t hear from them unless they wanted me to do something for them (eg fill in a form!). • If you don’t find it on the website, then you don’t know it exists. • Governing bodies to listen when you want to give feedback. Talk. • They could invite coaches for meetings to discuss how they could help more. I read a lot and have almost 20 years’ experience. 14
COACH TRACKING STUDY Increased access to funding As well as awareness of opportunities, coaches want support with funding to take advantage of them when they arise. Coaches’ issues and suggestions concerning funding included: • As always, I think it comes down to funding. Courses are still prohibitively expensive for some people. • I will not be coaching for the forseeable future as I can no longer afford the cost. Unless something is done about this issue, I am sure many other coaches in various sports will be forced into taking similar drastic action. • Making grants available to upskill (eg psychology, strength and conditioning). More mentors A regular comment from coaches is that they want to take advantage of more mentors. Working with an experienced coach is regarded as a key developmental opportunity closely linked with taking the next step in their own coaching career. It also addresses a desire for more individualised support. • (More) assigned mentors for coaches who are qualified and aspire to reach the highest coaching level they can. • Grass-roots coaches should have more opportunities to see/watch/work with high level performance coaches to maintain motivation and see new ways of working. • To have a mentor who understands governing body of sport/LA/school to impact and have the opportunity to move forward. More individual support There is a feeling that support needs to be based around the needs of individual coaches. Coaches suggested this was best achieved through a more localised network, development officers and mentors. • Work closely with coaches to establish their strengths and weaknesses to help develop in all areas. Not just set up generic courses but establish specific workshops that cater for the individuals’ needs. • Lip service is paid to individual coach development. Conferences encompass beginners to expert at the same courses. I would ask coaches what their needs are on an individual basis instead of coming up with the same courses with different names. • Having a coach network, where you can ring to obtain advice on any sport, more drills to be made available for coaches to aid their development, perhaps a local rep for each area who could be used as a sounding board. • The development of regional training managers has been an excellent addition to an already good system. • Better linked in development officers from governing bodies of sport. Better use of technology To a lesser degree, coaches also suggested IS solutions would improve their access to information and training resources. • More free advice available through courses or information on the web. • Online support, provision of computer-based learning/experience that can be accessed at a time convenient to the coach. Conferences/workshops etc, although very useful, require time to attend. • There needs to be a concerted forum/resource across the various sports to provide the latest ideas/documents/ models/concepts in coaching with free access for all levels of coach on which to share best practice. © SWpix.com 15
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