The Wessex coaching Panel had their first coaching update and development forum at South Cerney in Gloucestershire on the 26th March. It was well attended with 98 coaches in attendance, ranging from Level 1 to Level 5 coaches. This was the largest forum attended in the England so far. Mike Devlin the UK Coaching Director also was present to answer questions from the coaches. After which various workshops were presented by volunteer coaches covering a range of subjects, from Assessor training, 2/3* standards, Injury Prevention, to name a few, in all 8 different workshops were available for the coaches. However, time only allowed the coaches to attend 2 workshops. My thanks to all the presenters of these workshops, and the coaches who attended on the day to make the forum a great success and there was a buzz was in the air through out the day. It allowed coaches to meet friends and make new friends and discuss various coaching points, and it allowed the coaches in the Wessex panel to meet at a central location. At the end of the day, it gave me the opportunity to find out what the coaches require in our area, and what future development plans they require as coaches. The day was funded by the BCU, and coaches attended paid a nominal fee of £10 to fund future coaching development in the Wessex area. More on this later.
The other important part of the day, this being one part of a coaches re-validation, in which they have to attend 1 forum in 3 years (by April 2002). The other areas being: full membership of the BCU, hold a valid First Aid certificate, keep a log to show they are a active coach, and the attendance at a coaching forum.
Julie Simpson, who presented the Injury Prevention workshop, collected enough names of coaches to run 2 full workshops, which coaches will receive a certificate of attendance and will also show towards they have been an active coach within the sport. If any coaches wish to attend future Injury Prevention courses, or wish to have a course organised for their club, please contact me directly, so I can pass on your names to Julie.
The Wessex Panel will be organising a Coaching Processes course, this is a 2 day course presented by Mark Hickman. I'm trying to organise this course for September, so please keep a eye open in the next addition of the BCUSW Newsletter or CODE, or you can contact me via post to book a place. Also I'm organising the following courses to be held within our area:
Assessor Training, Coach Level 2 Update (all Level 1, trainee Level 2 or full Level 2 coaches can attend, and similarly a Level 3 Coach Update course (all trainee level 3 and full level 3 coaches to attend). Other courses will be organised, such as Aquatic First Aid, Canoe Safety, watch out for details in the BCUSW Newsletter or CODE. The Wessex Panel will also be organising a Level 3 Assessment (Inland Kayak) on the 27/28 and 29 October at Dulverton. Also, a Level 3 Training (Inland Kayak) on the 24/25 and 26 November at Dulverton. Both these 2 courses are aimed at developing Coaches and Assessors, and will be subsidised for Wessex coaches.
The next Wessex Update and Development forum has been provisionally booked for the 30th September in the Dorset area.