An introduction to the UK Coaching Certificate
Summary
The UKCC was developed in order to
- Advance coach education programmes and practices
- Support the development of coaching as a profession
For more information on UKCC developments go to: www.ukcoachingcertificate.org
For information relating to recognised centres and candidate information on specific courses go to: 1st4sport Qualifications
In July 2002, the Coaching Task Force final report was published. This report was is response to the Governments Plan for Sport and reflected the first real opportunity for coaching to get in the political radar.
The UK Coaching Certificate (initially known as the National Coaching Certificate) was one of the recommendations from the Coaching Task force report to reverse this trend, along with 3000 Community Sports Coaches, 45 Coach Development Officers and some of the most extensive research on coaching to date.
The UKCC indicates the Governments intention to improve the quality and profile of coaching, which will be vital to the development of sport and individuals.
What is the UKCC?
The UKCC will be an endorsement of sport specific coach education programmes against agreed criteria across 5 levels. This means that all sports will have to include the same core content as each distinct level and meet minimum standards with regards to delivery and assessment for each qualification. The main aim of the UKCC is to improve the quality of coaching across the UK to provide safe and effective coaching systems for participants within sport.
The objectives of the UKCC
- To establish a 5 level UK wide framework by 2004 and to implement it in full in 20 sports and have introduced the concept to a further 10 sports by 2006.
- To ensure that those 20 sports have the time, support and resources to meet the criteria of the UKCC
The five levels of the UKCC
| Level | What the coach will be qualified to do |
|---|---|
| 5 | Generate, direct and manage the implementation of cutting-edge coaching solutions and programmes |
| 4 | Design, implement and evaluate the process and outcome of long-term/specialist coaching programmes |
| 3 | Plan, implement, analyse and revise annual coaching programmes |
| 2 | Prepare for, deliver and review coaching session(s) |
| 1 | Assist more qualified coaches, delivering aspects of coaching sessions, normally under direct supervision |
The five levels provide coaches with a progressive development pathway from being a beginner coach (level 1) through to being a highly evolved expert coach. The levels are reflective of the coaching skills attained and not the level of the performer coached.
Thirty one sports have signed up to the UKCC, divided into three phases
| Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
Athletics Cricket Rowing Rugby Union Swimming Triathlon |
Badminton Basketball Canoeing Cycling Equestrian Football Golf Gymnastics Hockey Judo Netball Rugby League Squash Table Tennis Tennis |
Angling Archery Bowls Karate Mountaineering Movement/Dance Orienteering Rounders Volleyball Sailing |