T2W T2C T2T SS FUN UKCC Level 3 Certificate Coaching Swimming Outline The UKCC Level 3 Certificate for Coaching Swimming is the 3 rd level in the coaching education pathway. The Level 3 Certificate focuses coaches on developing performance along the continuum from age group through youth to senior levels. Coaches will complete the learning units; but will apply them and will be assessed in the coaches home programme. We recognise that swimmers develop and coaching positions and environments change so the focus is very much on being able to develop and fulfil the potential of the swimmers. They will also have the opportunity to see these skills being applied in a National programme context and will be integrated into these sessions as a valuable coaching experience. We are fortunate to be able to have recognised experts in specific fields and experienced coaches with proven track records delivering the course. It must be stressed however, that the certificate is only part of the process in increasing your skill set and knowledge in the development of performance at various stages. Ongoing licencing, CPD, mentoring, attendance at conferences, research and attendance at National programmes and Championships are essential to help you fulfil your potential as a coach. The swimming teacher/coach pathway can be illustrated using Figure 1 below: Figure 1: The Swimming Teacher/Coach Pathway L3 Swimming Coach L1 Aquatics Coach L2 Aquatics Coach L1 Swimming Teacher L 2 Swimming Teacher (with relevant coaching experience for progression) Teacher/Coach Education
Who is the UKCC Level 3 Coaching Swimming qualification for? Qualification Existing ASA Club Coach looking to progress to next level UKCC Level 3 Yes/No UKCC Level 2 Coaching Swimming with club coaching experience UKCC Level 2 Teaching Aquatics or ASA Level 2 Teacher Units 1 4 with considerable club coaching experience Equivalent qualification and experience in swimming coaching Success in delivering the UKCC Level 3 Coaching Swimming certificate in the past seven years, and the ASA Club Coach certificate (Swimming) and ASA Coach Certificate prior to that, suggests that there is a healthy demand for a progressive swimming coach education system in Scotland. The Scottish Swimming Corporate Plan target was for 2000 licenced swimming teachers and coaches at all levels by 2014. Good progress has been made towards this target with over 2200 teachers and coaches achieving UKCC qualifications. Unlike UKCC Levels 1 & 2, the overall responsibility for co-ordinating, planning and delivering Level 3 Coaching Swimming in Scotland rests centrally with Scottish Swimming. This is due to the scale of the programme, locus of demand and the need to align an overall Course Director and mentor programme to the process. Each of the initial ten (10) units will be delivered at the National Swimming Academy (NSA) in Stirling. Figure 2 shows the programme of content which will be delivered in a progressive manner. The dates for the delivery of the course in 2016 are illustrated in Appendix A. The intention for delivery of these units is to integrate new knowledge with practical coaching application and where possible, the modules will be integrated with the Scottish Swimming Performance Development Programme, including stroke camps, testing and education sessions. Unit 11 encompasses the final assessment process which takes place in each coach s home programme after successful completion of the previous ten. A successful and popular feature of the Level 3 programme is the involvement of leading coaches and support staff in the delivery of units. Under the overall guidance of the Course Director, invited speakers are given the opportunity to share best and innovative practice. Each unit is considered as a stand-alone learning episode, although some may be delivered together over a weekend in a blended approach to assist learning. Further input by experts in specific fields, e.g. Sports Psychology, is provided in an effort to present coaches with up-to-date knowledge and research. Coaches, on return to their home based programmes, will then work through the tasks set in the candidate log book in line with the assessment milestones also outlined in Appendix A. In addition to this, coaches will be practically supported by an agreed mentor who is appointed according to each coach s individual circumstances and learning plan. The mentor will be recognised by Scottish Swimming as someone with the appropriate skills and experience to assist with coach learning and development. Each coach will have a negotiated amount of support from their mentor, which will include time spent at training and competition.
All interested coaches are asked to register for the 2016 course by completing and returning the attached Application Form by Monday 18 th January 2016. Please note: Following the above closing date all applications will be reviewed and short listed. Applicants will be notified with details on the status of their application once the review process has been completed. Course cost and funding information: The full cost for this course is 1000.00 per candidate; this amount should be paid following notification of course acceptance. Those who successfully gain entry to the course are eligible to apply for subsidy funding. Applications for funding must be made directly to SportScotland at least four weeks prior to the start of the course; retrospective applications will not be accepted. SportScotland will support a variable scale of 25%, 50% or 75% of the candidate course fee at UKCC Level 3 and 4. Subsidy will be allocated per candidate, against SGB endorsed applications and based on the funding principles and coach support criteria being met. Please note that subsidy funding is not guaranteed. Please visit the Scottish Swimming website for further information on funding.
Figure 2: Overview of Unit Structure GENERIC UNITS (All Sports) UNIT 1 Duties of the Level 3 Coach UNIT 2 LTAD How Athletes Develop UNIT 3 Exercise Physiology for Coaches UNIT 4 Nutrition & Hydration for Performance These Units are all independent segments of learning in their own right with theory and / or some practical assessments included. UNIT 5 Psychology and Skill Acquisition UNIT 8 Techniques and Skill Adaptation UNIT 6 Land Based Training UNIT 9 The Coach & Competition Sports Specific UNITS UNIT 7 Recording and Interpreting Swimming Data UNIT 10 Planning for Swimming Performance (Theory of Planning for Both Development & Performance) The knowledge and experience gained while learning can help to enhance a L2 Coach s skills as they progress towards L3. Once completing the required number of Units and completing a 12 week Plan developed from Unit 10 the candidate can apply to do the vocational training / assessment Unit 11. Once all recommended Units are completed progress onto Vocational Training and Assessment Unit 11 PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS In this section the coach will apply a 12 week LTAD plan (developed from Unit 10) as part of a larger 12 month plan in a vocational / home based environment. This must be assessed before they may continue onto delivery and evaluation. The candidate coach will be assessed on vocational training tasks and on their delivery, implementation and Evaluation of the plan. 1. Build and Assess the Plan 2. Implement & Deliver the Plan 3. Evaluate and Plan for Future Development
UKCC Level 3 Coaching Swimming Application Form Applications for the 2016 programme should submit applications by no later than: Monday 18 th January 2016 Candidate Information - Please ensure this section is completed in block capitals to avoid certification errors. There will be a charge for any certification changes/ re-issues. First Name(s) *to Surname appear on certificate DOB *required for certification Club: *required for application short listing Address Post Code Please detail any previous address history where applicable Gender SASA Mship No. Email Address *required for certification Tel No. SCN (9 digits) *required for certification SCN Numbers have been allocated by the SQA since 1979, if you think that you have a number your SCN details can be generated by calling the SQA helpdesk on 0345 279 1000. Additional Requirements. Please detail below any additional provisions required to aid you with your training. Please provide details of your current qualifications in swimming coaching/ teaching. Please only provide details of the most recent and relevant qualifications held, the awarding body and date achieved please also attach copies of certificates (not originals). Continue on another sheet where required. Qualification Awarding Body Date Achieved Please detail below your weekly coaching commitments (hours, level of swimmers etc) Please list below learning goals you wish to achieve from the programme Continue overleaf
Please write a personal statement below detailing why you wish to attend this course/ Signed: Date: Print Name: