In the past individual sports have been
responsible for developing and awarding their own individual coach education
programmes. Whilst this method has served sports well for many years, it
was increasingly recognised that there was no standard for coaching
qualifications, which meant that comparing with other sports was difficult and
with other industries was almost impossible. As a result coaches may not have
always received the recognition that they deserved.
In 2002 one of the recommendations of the
Coaching Task Force was that there should be a single recognised coaching
qualification structure for all sports. From this came the United Kingdom Coaching
Certificate (UKCC); a Government supported endorsement of sport specific
coaching qualifications on a five level structure, which would recognise routes
for coaching development at each stage of the athlete pathway. There are
currently 31 sports involved in the project with the hope that more will join
later.
Developed by sport, for sport, the
UKCC is creating a UK wide coaching infrastructure dedicated to the development
of coaches to the highest level, ensuring that the UK becomes recognised as a
world leader in coach development.
The UKCC in coaching Badminton has been
developed by the UK Source Group which has representatives from Badminton
Scotland, Welsh Badminton Union and BADMINTON England, meaning that there will
be a single pathway for coaching qualifications throughout the UK. The
qualifications have been developed in partnership with 1st4sport
Qualifications, who as a QCA recognised awarding body have submitted the
qualifications so that they appear on the National Qualifications Framework
(NQF).
The development of UKCC qualifications has
given Badminton the chance the completely review its coaching qualifications
along with the resources to invest in:
The development of new learning
programmes that better meet the needs of coaches in terms of the development of
their How to Coach skills and well as technical and tactical knowledge.
New resources to support the courses
utilising new technology where possible.
The development of the current coach
education workforce and the recruitment and development of new tutors.
Processes for quality assurance and
verification of qualification delivery and assessment.
Coaches will be able to attain UK wide,
cross sport recognised coaching qualifications that will raise the profile of
sports coaching at all levels.
Coaches will receive the very best, most
up to date teaching on coaching theory and technical and tactical development
Competence based programmes the
assessment is ongoing throughout the length of the course, coaching ability
will be assessed using a variety of methods, with an emphasis on practical
coaching skills.
A flexible modular based learner-centred
approach, with some How to coach modules recognised across different sports
Coaches can specialise at various stages
of the player pathway
Provides a benchmark for employers and
deployers of coaches
A clearer career pathway with increased
opportunities for personal and career development
Coaches will be encouraged to continue to
keep their qualification up to date through a series of continuous development
opportunities.
Coach education will be at the cutting
edge for each sport
Access to expert advice and support from
sports coach UK
Consistent standard of coach education
between and within sports, and across the UK
UK Coaching will be recognised as world
class
Great education and coaching will result
in great sporting success for coaches and performers.
There is a greater emphasis on a
continuous pathway of coaching development
For more information about the UKCC then
please visit www.ukcoachingcertificate.org.