SWIMMING AUSTRALIA (SAL) NATIONAL COACHING ACCREDITATION SCHEME Platinum Licence Coach Guidelines and Application Pack
A REVISED COACH ACCREDITATION SCHEME IN SWIMMING INTRODUCTION Australians are extremely proud of their prowess in sport. Swimming has been one of the key sports contributing to Australia s reputation as a leading sporting nation and the sport is putting structures in place to ensure its ongoing success at an international level. Australia s leading swimming administrators and coaches realise that to maintain a leading position, attention must be given to quality education and training programs for swimming teachers and coaches. In recent years the Australian Government has facilitated change in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. It is deemed imperative that swimming embraces the positive aspects of the changed VET process, combined with the virtues of the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS). The NCAS offers a nationally recognised qualification to people coaching beginners through to elite athletes. It is a progressive coach education program with, usually, three levels. Coaches of children, adults, veterans, disabled or elite athletes at club, school, regional, or national level can become more effective coaches through participation in the NCAS. Over 90 sports participate in the scheme. For nearly twenty-five (25) years education and training programs in swimming coaching have been affiliated with the NCAS. The education and training program for swimming coaches has been associated with the Australian Council for the Teaching of Swimming and Water safety (AUSTSWIM) courses for swimming teachers. The two schemes have enabled those with an affinity for swimming instruction to gain competencies ranging from teaching novice swimmers to coaching at the international level. The NCAS in swimming has been administered and delivered by Swimming Australia (SAL) and each state or territory association. SAL has liaised with the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) on all education and training matters. The organisations have offered professional development programs including accredited courses, conferences, seminars, and workshops throughout Australia on a regular and needs basis. Both SAL and ASCTA agreed the current NCAS for the professional development of swimming coaches required review to enable a greater focus on competency-based training. It was seen that this would cater more adequately for the needs of a rapidly expanding, diverse and vocationally oriented sport. Following a Coaching education Forum held 3-4 July 2002, and a subsequent meeting of State Coaching Coordinator s held in October 2002, there was a general consensus to proceed with a 4 level coaching accreditation scheme, as well as the inclusion of a platinum coach qualification for services to elite swimming development. The levels are outlined in the diagram over the page. Swimming Australia Ltd Platinum Licence Coach Qualification 2005 2
The revised qualification scheme has been aligned with the AUSTSWIM extension program on competitive strokes. Prospective Green Licence candidates who hold the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water safety Certificate may proceed to the coaching course or elect to do the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Competitive Strokes. Prospective coaches who hold the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Competitive Strokes award are able to gain exemption from a number of Green Licence modules. The Green, Bronze, Silver and Gold Coach Licence courses have been accepted by the Australian Sports Commission and, as such, are current NCAS accredited courses. The Platinum Licence is a qualification and as such is not required to be registered with the NCAS. Platinum Licence Gold Licence Silver Licence Bronze Licence ASCTA Junior Squad and Assistant Coach Qualification AUSTSWIM Teacher of Competitive Strokes AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Certificate Fig. 1 Outline of revised SAL National Coaching Structure Swimming Australia Ltd Platinum Licence Coach Qualification 2005 3
Summary of Licensing for swimming coaches ASCTA Junior Squad and Assistant Coach Qualification A Junior Squad and Assistant Coach has the competence to assist with the planning, organising, delivery and evaluation of sessions developing the technique of novice swimmers. Bronze Licence A Bronze Licence coach has the competence to promote participation in competitive swimming and to plan, conduct, evaluate and modify training programs to enable swimmers to compete at inter- club/district and encouragement level meets. Silver Licence A Silver Licence coach has the competence to plan, conduct and evaluate swimming coaching programs to enable swimmers to compete successfully at country, state and Age National Championships. Gold Licence A Gold Licence coach has the competence to prepare swimmers to compete successfully at Australian Open championships and international championships as part of an Australian Swim Team. Platinum Licence A Platinum Licence coach has the demonstrated ability to prepare swimmers to successfully compete for medals at World Championship and Olympic Games competitions as members of the Australian Swim Team. Swimming Australia Ltd Platinum Licence Coach Qualification 2005 4
1.3 Qualification Criteria The SAL Platinum Licence Coach Qualification is designed to recognise elite coaches working with Australian swimmers that have achieved medal-winning performances at FINA Long Course World Championship and/or Olympic Games competitions. As such, recipients are required to fulfil ALL of the following: 1. Hold current SAL / NCAS Gold Licence Coaching Accreditation. 2. Be a member of the official Australian Swimming Team coaching staff for the FINA Long Course World Championships and/or Olympic Games for the performance being claimed in criterion 3. 3. Be the primary coach of an athlete achieving a minimum of one (1) individual or relay final medal in Olympic events at the FINA Long Course World Championships and/or the Olympic Games and/or be the Head Coach of the National Team for the FINA Long Course World Championships and/or the Olympic Games. 4. Candidates must have membership through a professional organisation that has a code of conduct for coaches and is affiliated to Swimming Australia. ASCTA is an example of such an organisation. 2.1 Definitions Section 2: Policies Primary Coach Having at least 85% of swimmer's training program directly planned and supervised by the Coach during the 90 day period preceding the respective Championships. Relay final medal The 4 members of the relay team competing in the final, having won a medal at the respective championships. (ie. Not including athletes that may have swam in the heat session only) 2.2 Coach s Code of Ethics SAL fully endorses the NCAS Coach s Code of Ethics. It is a requirement for all coaches to sign the policy before SAL NCAS accreditation/re-accreditation or qualification at any level is approved. Swimming Australia Ltd Platinum Licence Coach Qualification 2005 5
2.3 Complaints Handling Procedures Applicants with grievances about the qualification procedures or seeking appeals on the process must submit them in writing to the Platinum Licence co-ordinator within 30 days of the completion of the course, or on receiving notification of their application outcome. All grievances and appeals will be considered and SAL will inform the applicant of the process they used to consider their grievance and the outcome of their deliberations within 30 days of receiving the grievance/appeal. Grievances and appeals can be made in accordance with the SAL Appeals Policy. This is in accordance with the SAL Membership Protection Policy. This policy can be obtained by liaising with SAL or by visiting the SAL website (www.swimming.org.au). 2.4 Enrolment Pre-requisites Age of Entry There is no age requirement for entry into the SAL Platinum Licence Coaching Qualification. 2.5 Application for qualification The applicant will be required to apply, pay an application fee of $75 Inc GST, and supply sufficient evidence of achievement of the criteria. This will be treated on an individual basis by the panel consisting of National Head Coach, National Youth Coach and CEO of Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) or their delegated officers and submitted to the SAL Board for ratification through the SAL Sport Development Manager or delegated officer. Applications forwarded in writing to: Swimming Australia Attn: Manager, Sport Development PO Box 3286 Belconnen ACT 2617 2.6 - Updating SAL Platinum Licence coaches are required to maintain currency of knowledge and skills. To ensure this process is undertaken by all applicants and well monitored, SAL has developed a coach updating guidelines document. Swimming Australia Ltd Platinum Licence Coach Qualification 2005 6
Application form Statement Against Qualification Criteria Applicant Details Name: Address: Phone (Home): Phone (work): Mobile: Email: 1. Hold current SAL / NCAS Gold Licence Coaching Accreditation. Current Accreditation Level: NCAS No: 2. Be a member of the official Australian Swimming Team coaching staff for the FINA Long Course World Championships and/or Olympic Games for the performance being claimed in criterion 3. Olympics or FINA LC World Championship Location Year Swimming Australia Ltd Platinum Licence Coach Qualification 2005 7
3. Be the primary coach of an athlete achieving a minimum of one (1) individual or relay final medal in Olympic events at the FINA Long Course World Championships and/or the Olympic Games and/or be the Head Coach of the National Team for the FINA Long Course World Championships or the Olympic Games. Athlete Name Olympics/World Champ Event Medal 4. Candidates must have membership through a professional organisation that has a code of conduct for coaches and is affiliated to Swimming Australia. ASCTA is an example of such an organisation. Organisation: Membership No: Swimming Australia Ltd Platinum Licence Coach Qualification 2005 8
Payment Details Enclosed is a cheque / money order payable to SAL (ABN: 14109333628) for $75 (GST inc) Please debit my credit card for $ Card holders name: Signature: Bankcard MasterCard Visa Card number: Expiry date: Office use only Account: Date processed: Certification I confirm that all the information provided in this application form to be correct. Signature Date PLEASE RETURN TO: Swimming Australia Attn: Manager, Sport Development PO Box 3286 Belconnen ACT 2617 Swimming Australia Ltd Platinum Licence Coach Qualification 2005 9
APPENDIX 1 Qualification Sign Off Swimming Australia Ltd Platinum Licence Coach Qualification 2005 10
Learning Outcomes: Evidence Supplied Validity (Is the evidence relevant?) Sufficiency (Is there enough evidence?) Authenticity (Is the evidence a true reflection of the candidate?) Comments 1. Hold current SAL / NCAS Gold Licence Coaching Accreditation. 2. Be a member of the official Australian Swimming Team coaching staff for the FINA Long Course World Championships and/or Olympic Games for the performance being claimed in criterion 3. 3. Have coached an athlete to a minimum of one (1) individual or relay final medal at the FINA Long Course World Championships and/or Olympic Games and/or be appointed the Head Coach of the National Team for the FINA Long Course World Championships or the Olympic Games. 4. Membership through a professional organisation that has a code of conduct for coaches and is affiliated to Swimming Australia. ASCTA is an example of such an organisation Swimming Australia Gold Licence Coach Assessment Tasks and Tools 2005 11
All learning outcomes for this qualification met: (please tick) YES NO (please provide advice to the applicant of what evidence they are still required to supply) Date of Assessment: Name of Assessor: Contact number: Assessor s comments: Recommendations Swimming Australia Ltd Platinum Licence Coach Qualification 2005 12
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