The most important quality you need to become a coach is enthusiasm! An interest in sport is also essential, as is the desire to pass on your knowledge and expertise to others, encouraging them to be the best they want to be or to helping them to participate at a level that they are comfortable with. Another key quality is the ability to communicate. A good coach has the ability to work with all abilities, to inspire and support in a friendly and professional manner. You do not necessarily need academic qualifications but you do need to take coaching qualifications in your chosen sport or sports. The majority of coaches in Britain are part time volunteers as most sport in Britain is played by amateurs, however there are a growing number of coaches who have chosen coaching as a professional career.
What is it UKCC?
The coach education system in the UK is currently undergoing a major restructuring process with the introduction of the UKCC (UK Coaching Certificate). The aim of the UKCC is to bring into effect a nationally recognised standard and qualification system for coach education that will professionalise the role of the coach and raise the profile in line with other professional occupations.
Over the next couple of years sports will introduce a 4 or 5 tier level of qualification, with level 5 being the highest. The levels 1-5 will have common core modules within them which will be the same across sports. Each National Governing Body will then add their sport specific elements to each level of qualification. This new system will make it much easier for coaches to move between sports and will mean that coaching qualifications from different sports will be on a par with each other e.g. a level 2 football coaching qualification will be equal to a level 2 netball qualification. Sports are currently at different stages of introducing UKCC, some sports are already delivering levels 1-3 with level 4 not far off, whilst other sports have not yet developed level 1.
For further information on UKCC http://www.ukcoachingcertificate.org/
There are a wide variety of careers in the active sport and leisure sector, with many opportunities to progress and develop your career.The best place to start is with SkillsActive, the sector skills council for active leisure and learning, who's dedicated careers website provides information on education and training, essential skills, case studies and a virtual careers advisor. You can also use an interactive sport map which shows the various roles available in the sector together with the skills required. For further information click here.
If you are a young person in South Essex 'This Way Up!' has been produced especially for you. It is a guide to career opportunities that are available across the Thames Gateway South Essex area.
Five Steps to becoming a sports coach
1. Try and gain as much knowledge and experience as possible in your chosen sport e.g. through participating or volunteering.
2. Contact the National Governing Body of the sport to request details of their coach education programme and criteria required for taking the qualification.
3. Check which additional courses you will be required to attend to complete your qualification, for example most coaches will need to have completed First Aid and Child Protection training.
4. Try and find an experienced and active coach to act as a mentor. Your local club, National Governing Body or sportessex may be able to help you find someone.
5. Coaching is like every other profession, you gain the qualification and then you have to learn how to be a coach! It takes time to work through the required qualifications and to build up coaching skills, experience and a good reputation but it is certainly worthwhile. Coaching is a very rewarding career that can provide lifelong opportunities.
To search for coaching opportunities on the noticeboard click here
If you would like to find out about the recent sportessex Coaching Conferences, click here.
