Understanding coaching pre-requisites

December 1, 2014

Are you thinking about becoming a coach? Pre-requisites aren’t just for coaches – find out why you need them…

A change to the UKCC Level 2 award from January of this year introduced three pre-requisite workshops, which need to be completed before signing up. The workshops are:

Capsize / Man Overboard & Recovery Training
Safeguarding & Protecting Children
Emergency Aid

These workshops are essential if you are thinking about becoming a qualified coach. However, the most important reason for making this change is because this content is so fundamental to any rowing activity that we felt it should be more widely available than just to coaches.

Capsize / Man Overboard & Recovery

Rowers are at risk of capsize. Learn how to safely recover them and treat them appropriately in the event of cold weather/water. The workshop can be delivered within clubs for all of your members instead of just being confined to coaches. Initially this workshop will be organised by British Rowing but once people have been up-skilled they will be able to deliver this themselves within their club/facility.

Safeguarding & Protecting Children

This workshop is recommended as part of the minimum level of training and awareness for adults working with children. It will enable participants to:

Recognise their responsibilities towards children and understand the formal reporting structure to be followed in the event that they become aware of any concerns relating to poor practice or abuse.
Reflect and compare their own practice against what is currently regarded as good practice and to identify ways to improve.
Ensure that they do not conduct themselves in a manner where the welfare of a child or children could be at risk or where, as responsible adults, they could be putting themselves in a position likely to give rise to allegations of poor practice or misconduct.
Understand and appreciate the significance of the recruitment procedures outlined in Section 5 of British Rowing’s Safeguarding and Protecting Children Policy.

Emergency Aid

As rowing involves groups of people on the water, Emergency Aid is an essential skill that should not be overlooked by those delivering or taking part in rowing activities. Whilst not offered by British Rowing specifically, we can recommend 3rd party training. Make sure you know what to do in the event of an injury.

These courses are not just for coaches; they are also for those people who are seeking personal development opportunities. There are plenty of these workshops running in your area.

Remember though, if you do decide to pursue a coaching pathway later on, you will already have fulfilled some of the criteria for the pre-requisites.